The Center for Student Businesses (CSB) has existed since 1975 and supports seven student-run, cooperative businesses on the UMass-Amherst campus: Bike Coop, Campus Design & Copy, Earthfoods Café, Greeno Sub Shop, People’s Market, Sweets & More, and Sylvan Snack Bar. We provide co-curricular training and education in financial management, cooperative administration, and organizational development. This unique program employs approximately 125 undergraduate students and helps them build invaluable business and life skills. Students have said that this experience has played a central role in their feeling connected and grounded as undergraduates, finding jobs, and being successful after graduation.
Last spring, the global pandemic forced all seven businesses to close, cut off their revenue, and put students out of work. Staying closed this year has lost them, customers and staff, for next year as well. The CSB maintains and administers a Cash Flow Reserve to cover emergencies and other unexpected events that may drain a student business’ operating funds. Still, this fund was already stretched thin before the crisis hit us all so hard. We want to ensure that the businesses have what they need to hit the ground running when they reopen. All students returning to campus will benefit from their favorite treats and services available at the student businesses they love.
The students count on us for support; can we count on you to help us support them?
If you’re not able to donate at this time, please share this message with your social networks! 
