Centre For Social Innovation

The story of the Centre for Social Innovation begins way back in 2003, when a group of visionary social entrepreneurs decided that something wasn’t working in the social mission sector. Too many organizations were working out of isolated and substandard facilities. They asked themselves some core questions: How can we improve access to office facilities? How can we lower the cost of administration and let organizations focus on their missions? How can we tear down the silos that keep organizations apart? And, how can we best catalyze social change? Part of the answer came in the form of the Robertson Building at 215 Spadina Avenue in Toronto, which had been recently purchased by Urbanspace Property Group. With generous support from the landlord, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Harbinger Foundation, the Centre for Social Innovation Spadina opened its doors to 14 founding tenants in 5,000 sq. ft. of space in June 2004 – one of the very first coworking spaces in the world! The model worked. It meant sharing ideas, strategies and experience. It meant collaborating, learning, growing and becoming resilient in ways never imagined in isolation. And so we grew! We now have over 2,500 members and five locations, including two buildings we bought and renovated thanks to our innovation in social finance the Community Bond.