Tom Guettler Cooperative Leaders Fund
The Tom Guettler Cooperative Leaders Fund honors the remarkable legacy of Tom Guettler,
a longtime employee whose dedication and leadership helped shape the cooperative landscape
across the Midwest.
“Education is a cornerstone of the cooperative business model. My hope is that the Leaders Fund will eliminate financial barriers for generations of cooperative leaders who want to grow their skill sets and tackle new challenges”
During his nearly 15-year tenure, Tom exemplified the cooperative spirit—serving in roles from technical assistance provider to interim Executive Director. Whether managing infrastructure projects or mentoring housing co-ops, he was always learning, leading, and building community.
Under his leadership, the Resident Owned Communities program experienced major expansion—12 of CoNorth’s manufactured home cooperative conversions occurred during his time.
Tom's passion for cooperative education and professional growth inspired the creation of this fund. The Leaders Fund provides scholarships for residents of CoNorth-supported cooperatives to pursue courses, certificates, and conferences that enhance cooperative leadership and management skills.
Eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must live in one of CoNorth's affiliated communities
- Funding must be used to advance a skill or receive training that supports your growth as a leader in your cooperative.