I've been involved with the Rusty Spoke co-op in Phoenix for a few years. It was founded long before my involvement, having been around for well over a decade prior. Given the track history of co-ops of this type, I think that's better than average. It is something I thought I'd never witness in person: a reasonably well-functioning collective. No bosses of chiefs (or conversely, every staffer is a boss, just not of other staffers). Zero paid positions. Some long-time volunteers have agreed to do the books and 990s, others do outreach, while others have contacts with a number of other nonprofits for obtaining/sharing/trading inventory. I volunteer once a week, help out with my knowledge, and specialize in foraging for inexpensive or free inventory during my occasional travels (my trip across Nevada and California last week resulted in a car full of cheap U locks from discount stores and wrenches from swap meets).

There seem to be several unwritten/unspoken principles: first, every staffer is a volunteer and has the same basic authority to act on behalf of the organization - no one is a boss / queen bee / savior / indispensable. Second, leave the politics at the door, and focus on bikes and customers - the volunteers span the whole gamut of political viewpoints, but are united by bikes and mutual respect. Third, burnout is to be actively avoided - we're only open a few hours per week to stay within what we can deliver and be happy with. Fourth, anything involving a significant fiscal or operational outlay will get a quick consensus on the e-communication list first.

We've seen grant-dependent orgs fold up after donors pulled out, so all expenses (mostly rent and consumables like tires, tubes, locks, etc.) must be less than revenue. All revenue is from bike and parts sales - we don't charge for labor or stand time. All bikes are donated - no trades / buys (with one notable exception that took a full group consensus that seems to be working out well). But even in this "worst ever" market for used bicycles, the bottom line is still solid and cash flow is positive. As a 501(c)(3) COO for a different nonprofit in a different field, it's a good thing to see.

Will it continue forever? Who knows. We could end up inadvertently bringing on a volunteer who disrupts the good working relationship. The rent could go way up, or we could lose our site downtown (already had to move several times in the past). People move away or fall out. But the business model at the moment seems solid and resilient, and there's a big enough pool of willing bodies to prevent burnout and we're gradually growing that pool through word of mouth and providing a good place to work and hang out.