The NonprofitCenters Network

Timeline of a MTNC Development Process

An example of an actual timeline documenting the development process, from conception to purchase to completion, of a Nonprofit Center in Boston.

A Nonprofit Space Odyssey: A Capital Projects Primer

This booklet is written for nonprofit leaders, donors, foundation and corporate leaders and anyone concerned with nonprofit space needs. It walks through the process of evaluating a real estate project to help organizations and investors determine if the time is right for them to undertake a capital project.

A Pocket Guide to Business Planning

A quick guide to the basic components of a business plan.

A Profile of Creating Partnerships: Drawing Lessons from Scholar - Practitioner Collaborations

The project examines financial support

for arts and cultural organizations in ten communities and nationally. It is a collaborative effort among

researchers/ scholars and practitioners in the ten communities, with a national team directing the project

and conducting the national component of the project. As such, it presents a unique opportunity for

exploring a particular type of partnerships: research partnerships

Architect Request for Proposal Template

Use this template to develop a request for proposals from local architects for your Nonprofit Center project.

Architect Request for Proposals

Sample RFP for selecting an architect for a nonprofit center project, especially focused on arts spaces.

Ask the Experts Discussion for New Projects

Nonprofit center leaders share their lessons learned in creating a facility.

Presentation presented as part of NCN weinbar series, June 23, 2010

Biophilia, Selling the Love of Nature

Biophilia refers to the instinctive bond that humans have with other living systems. Initially introduced Erich Fromm, the word literally means "love of life or living systems." This article reviews the history and context of this theory and how it has been re-incorporated into design practices with the growing popularity of green building. Research shows that by blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments and bringing landscaping into our homes and workspaces, our lives are enriched. Productivity and health improve while stress levels and absence counts are lowered.

Building a Case for Nonprofit Centers

Need to persuade your board, funders or government officials to help you create a nonprofit center? This webinar offers key messages, strategies and tools to gain their support. This webinar is designed for emerging centers in development. Presenters: Shelley Hamilton, Jan Egglestone, and Dace West. Given at NCN Webinar on July 23, 2009.

Building Co-Location: A Report Prepared for Marion County Coalition On Youth and the Early Intervention and Prevention Initiative

As part of their strategic plan, the Early Intervention and Prevention (EIP) Initiative identified colocation of services as a means to improve access to social services for families at risk of child abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency. This report, commissioned by EIP Co-location Taskforce and the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY), identifies the strengths and challenges of this strategy and provide recommendations for the creation of a pilot site in Marion County.

Business Planning for Social Enterprises

A description of what a business plan is and how to determine the social impact of your new business enterprise.

Bylaws for Fairhill Center

Sample bylaws for MTNC Fairhill Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bylaws for Our Health, Inc.

Sample bylaws for a Multi-tenant Nonprofit Center, Our Health Community Services Campus.

Bylaws of The Children & Family Services Center

Sample of Bylaws created by The Children & Family Services Center.

Capacity Assessment: Were They Ready?

Through case studies of the development of two centers in Berkeley, California, the author analyzes how business plans, financial feasibility, fundraising, and board leadership all affected each project's final mission, development and implementation.

Capital Campaigns for Non-Profit Multi-Tenant Facility Projects

Buchman presents the various issues that nonprofits must consider prior to and during capital campaigns. These issues range in scope and the amount of time needed to become successful. Buchman also addresses issues surrounding donor objectives when funding a MTNC.

Capital Incubator Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign case study for nonprofit center. Presented in Workshop Session A of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Capitalizing on the New Markets Tax Credit

Report from the third annual ULI/Charles H. Shaw Forum on Urban Community Issues. Presents a discussion covering the following topics: how New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) work; benefits and success factors for NMTC projects; NMTC opportunities for partnerships between for-profit and nonprofit developers.

Case Studies- Mistakes to Avoid

Case study presentation (what not to do)from Workshop Session C of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Case Study: San Francisco Media Arts Facility Project

Overview of the process of site selection and analysis of real estate options performed by the San Francisco Media Arts Facility Project.

Collaboration Plenary: Collaborating for Success

This presentation enumerates the wide-ranging benefits associated with cross-sector collaboration, the sharing of resources (both physical and philosophical), and community outreach programs that draw in a diverse population into one location.

Collaboration Plenary: The Partnership Matrix

Harrington uses this Partnership Matrix to demonstrate how two or more independent organizations establish an ongoing relationship to increase the administrative efficiency and/or further the programmatic mission of one or more of the participating organizations. Through aligning and integrating two or more organizations, real advances are made in fulfilling the missions of all parties involved; however, all parties must be fully committed to such collaboration for the partnership to function properly.

Collaborative Fundraising Strategies

Overview of successful strategies and tips for conducting joint fundraising campaigns with multiple organizations.

Community Development Corporations Working with For-Profit Developers

Report from the second annual ULI/Charles H. Shaw Forum on Urban Community Issues. Presents benefits and pitfalls of joint development efforts between Community Development Corporations and for-profit developers, illustrated through three case studies.

Community Resource Center Policies

This comprehensive packet provides information, policies, and sample forms that the United Way of Greater Houston uses to manage its Community Resource Center.

Critical Considerations for Designing Collaborative Workspace Webinar

Creating a work environment that facilitates collaboration yet is functional and financially feasible can come with a myriad of challenges. In today’s webinar, we have two great speakers who will share their best practices for space planning that will maximize functionality and cost savings for your center.

Presented at NCN Webinar on June 8, 2010

Earned Income Model: Community Service Building

This presentation outlines how for-profit and nonprofit organizations can cohabitate a single space for the betterment of all involved. Through interesting and inventive leasing, renting, and earned income programs, community services buildings like this one in Wilmington, Delaware can become very successful at integrating the community, creating revenue, and providing excellent space for business and nonprofit operations.

Eye Wide Open: A Case Study of the Third Sector New England's NonProfit Center

A case study of the how one nonprofit moved beyond the dream of controlling its costs to owning a financially and programmatically-grounded green building.

Facilities Maintenance and Renovation Presentation 2007

Green Building Maintenance and Renovation presentation for Workshop Session B of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Facility Expansion & Renovation: Planning for Capital Projects & Campaigns

Developed by the Gates Family Foundation, this guide is for nonprofits considering facility expansion and want to know, “How do we get from dream to reality?” This guide begins with an assessment of the organization’s readiness and ends with construction and long-term maintenance.

Financial Feasability and Market Analysis: A Quick Tour of Real Estate Development

Financial Feasability and Market Analysis presentation and case studies for Workshop Session C of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Financial Feasibility and Market Analysis 2007

An overview of the steps and components of a financial feasibility study and market analysis for a Multi-tenant Nonprofit Center. Presented at the 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Financial Feasibility and Market Analysis May 2009

Real estate professionals share best practices for understanding your potential market, whether you are a developing project, a project in expansion, or just looking to cover regular tenant turnover in this economy. Learn how to conduct a market analysis and how to use it in a feasibility study for tenant recruitment. Presentation given at the 2009 Building Opportunities Conference on May 19, 2009.

Green Building Design and Operations Resources

A list of helpful resources on green buildings created for the "Green Building Design and Operations" workshop at the Innovative Strategies in Nonprofit Workspace seminar.

Hope Center Construction Document

Learn how to create a foundation for developing partnerships that bring hope and opportunity to a community.

How Cisco Designed the Collaborative Connected Workplace Environment

This case study is a review of the planning and layout of the office workspace of the American Headquarters of Cisco Systems, Inc. in San Jose, CA. In order to increase productivity and employee satisfaction, and to reduce real estate and technology costs, Cisco incorporated communications technology and forward thinking office design to create a more effective and desirable workspace environment.

How to Build Your Design Team

A list of interview/selection questions to ask architects on mission orientation, experience, staffing, and fee structure.

How to Create Jobs, Save the Planet and Make Money for Your Nonprofit: A Lesson in Developing a Business Plan

A case study that illustrates the business planning process that Brody, Weiser & Burns uses to help nonprofits plan their business strategies.

Innovative Strategies Workshop Angels Gate Presentation

Presentation given by Nathan Birnbaum of Angels Gate as a case study of how the Center deals with government officials. Presentation given at NCN Innovative Strategies workshop on October 30, 2008.

Interior Design: Tailor Made

This piece reviews how corporations can choose to fail or succeed by altering the culture within their workspace. By offering informational case studies and some tips on how to create a more collaborative work space, Light considers culture, keeping with the times, personal space, and interior design in her discussion.

It Just Takes One: Mission-Driven Design for Multi-Use Projects

Multi-Use Project presentation for Workshop Session C of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Long Term Infrastructure Plan

An excel document projecting the financial future of operations at the Nonprofit Centers Network.

Meeting Spaces - Lessons Learned

This one-pager shares The Mansour Center's lessons learned in conference room rental . Originally presented at The NonprofitCenters Network Webinar on Managing Meeting Spaces.

Mission-Driven Design for Multi-User Projects

Mission and design for multi-use projects, from Workshop Session C of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Mission-driven Design, The Ed Roberts Campus

The Ed Roberts Campus is a nonprofit corporation formed by nine organizations that share a common history in the Independent Living/Civil Rights Movement of People with Disabilities. These nine organizations have joined together to plan and develop a universally designed, “green” campus for educational, health, and human service convenings and describes the planning and processes of mission-driven design.

Mistakes to Avoid: Lessons Learned from a Recovering Developer of a MTNC

A presentation at the 2005 Collaborating for Success Conference on the process of developing the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado's Nonprofit Center and the lessons learned along the way. The presentation includes a list of what Powers considers to be the most common mistakes.

Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Centers Collaborating for Success: Innovative Leadership

Innovative Leadership presentation for Workshop Session B of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Multi-use Centers: Center for the Development of the Green Economy

Danaher explains how the utilization of newly emerging technologies and environmentally friendly building materials can positively affect nonprofits and surrounding communities. He argues that “the decentralized nature of the green economy—which is good in terms of entrepreneurial innovation—can also be seen as fragmentation, which inhibits collaboration and the cross-fertilization of shared ideas and resources.” The private, public, and non-profit sectors, can create a more holistic approach to developing a green economy through collaboration.

Nonprofit Office Building - Example of Development Analysis

This is a development financial analysis for a nonprofit office building. It includes sources and uses of funds, projected cash flow, detailed cost analysis for development and ongoing building operations.

Nonprofit Organizations or Public Agencies

This website put out by the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers information, links, and resources for tax incentives and funding relevant to historic preservation projects. With a wealth of information concerning eligibility, types of credits and loans, and service contacts, this is an excellent resource to check out.

Nonprofits at Risk: The Space and Occupancy Crisis Facing San Francisco's Nonprofit Community

A 60-page report of the study conducted in summer 2000 to analyze the space and occupancy crisis facing nonprofits in San Francisco.

Not-for-profits Ask: "Can We Build It?"

This article identifies important considerations for not-for-profits during the early planning phases of a project, including: the need to examine the organization's legal documents regarding its authority; project governance; project budget; issues associated with fundraising and financing; and alternative structures for collaborations.

Opening Plenary: Claiming Our Place in Place-Making

This presentation outlines the different approaches nonprofits can take to revitalize communities. These steps included historic preservation, developments that serve rather than displace, green building technologies, education/service provision, and utilization of the local work force.

Organizational Capacity Assessment

A presentation on how to make a realistic assessment of your ability to take on a capital project. Includes questions to consider and examples. Note: this document is a transcription and may contain typographical errors and omissions.

Planning for Success: Strategic Considerations

Get an overview of strategic questions you must consider when creating a nonprofit workspace that meets the mission of your organization as well as builds long-term assets for the community. Presented at the Building for Sustainable Communities, Berkeley, CA, October 27, 2009.

Planning for Surprises: Long-term Management & Maintenance

Gain new insight into planning for the ongoing challenges that can affect nonprofit facilities. Topics include: a) Long-term maintenance plan; b) Financing options; c) Green renovations over time; and d) Planning your reserve fund. Presented at the Building for Sustainable Communities, Berkeley, CA, October 27, 2009.

Planting a Seed: Foundations Build Communities with Shared Nonprofit Workspace

This new guide illuminates the benefits and challenges foundations experience in creating nonprofit centers. The free guidebook showcases foundations that have succeeded and provides concrete examples of the resulting benefits to the nonprofits, communities, and the foundations themselves.

Practical Partnerships: Collaborating with Academic Institutions

Academic institutions are excellent partners for attracting and retaining high quality interns. Learn how to work with college administrators and professors to develop exciting and challenging internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Presented at NCN Webinar on October 9, 2009.

Public and Private Partnerships May 2009

Creative partnerships between government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private developers can be the key to a sustainable project. Presentation given at the 2009 Building Opportunities Conference on May 19, 2009.

Revenue Generation through Shared Services

This overview of shared services details the options for services and management. Includes a discussion of benefits and challenges. Presented at the Global Strategic Innovations Conference

Secrets of Successful Shared Administrative Services

Two successful shared services providers share their structures, experiences and lessons learned.

Selecting and Working with Developers, Architects, and Contractors

Selecting and Working with Developers, Architects, and Contractors presentation and case studies from Workshop Session B of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Selecting and Working with Developers, Contractors and Architects May 2009

This presentation addresses the range of design and development issues that arise when doing a facilities project. Learn from experienced project managers and developers questions to ask during the vendor selection process, contracts and negotiations, and design, construction, and development processes. Presentation given at the 2009 Building Opportunities Conference on May 19, 2009.

Shared Services 101: Just the Basics

The nonprofit sector is evolving rapidly due to various reasons including decreased public support for services and changing tax laws. Remy argues that nonprofits need to reevaluate how they manage their organizations. She provides a history of the TIDES center as an example of how nonprofits and adapt to changing socio-political and economic conditions.

Shared Services: Strategically Expanding Your Service Offerings and Becoming a Multi-Functional SSO

Shared-Services Organizations (SSOs) reduce costs through synergy and shared resources. These real cost savings can be reinvested by nonprofits into real estate ventures or increased service provision. By applying a private sector model to the operations of a nonprofit entity, real advances are made and real goals are met.

Sharing Space: Critical Factors for Collocation Site Selection

This report provides a set of tools for the selection of collocation sites, drawing on our own experiences at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, Canada.

Sierra to give nonprofits a new foundation

Sierra Health Foundation opens Nonprofit Innovation Center (12,500-square-foot) in the Sacramento area to help nonprofits save money, spur creativity and better serve their clients by sharing space, resources and ideas.

Spaces at 520

A concise narrative report chronicling the development of this project from inception to ribbon-cutting for A.R.T./New York's multitenant facility for nonprofit theatre arts in Midtown Manhattan, Spaces at 520. It brought out the best of the myriad people who worked on it and, in the words of New York City Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin, "...could serve as a model, not only for cultural organizations but also for a wide range of non-profits."

Staffing Benchmark Study

This benchmark survey provides rough estimates to compare staffing levels across a variety of Nonprofit Centers.

Steps to Create a Center

Describes what an organization needs to plan, implement and operate a MTNC.

Strategic Considerations for Nonprofit Centers

This presentation discusses important strategic considerations for Nonprofit Centers, including strategic focus, leadership/ownership, and center purpose.

Strategic Considerations in Creating and Operating Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Centers 2005

Brotsky & Hamilton describe why MTNCs are successful, how they affect surrounding communities, the financial feasibility and stability associated with real estate development in the nonprofit sector. They also discuss the necessity of well-formulated visions and purposes, as well as strategic steps nonprofits can take to create and utilize affordable space, share multi-service delivery/programmatic themes.

Strategic Issues for Multi-tenant Nonprofit Centers

Single page document highlighting key strategic issues for Multi-tenant Nonprofit Centers.

Strategic Model for an MTNC

This graphic model outlines the strategic plan of Toronto's Centre for Social Innovation, including core activities, outcomes, and impact.

Strategic Plan for 2007

A sample annual strategic plan for MTNC Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center in Charleston, West Virgina.

Successful Joint Capital Campaigns Webinar

Pooling resources and fundraising capacity can help make your Nonprofit Center project a reality. However, sharing donors and fundraising capacity can stretch the relationships of any nonprofit organizations. Learn from the experiences of three Centers who have successfully used joint capital campaigns to help finance their projects. Our speakers include Peggy Eagan of the Children and Family Service Center, Daniel Meyers of the Al Sigl Center, and Peter Tulipana of the Heartland Family Service.

Sustainable Operations in Lean Times

Examine both revenue-generation and cost-cutting measures to make your facility self-sustaining. Topics include: Elements of a financially-feasible business models; Green building operations; Alternative revenue sources, including co-working space, conference room rental, and purchasing power agreements.

Tax-Exempt Status for MTNCs

The experience of Loudon Cares in securing their tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.

Tenant Recruitment and Marketing for Nonprofit Centers

Tenant recruitment and leasing issues are paramount to the long-term success of a shared nonprofit facility. This presentation will provide an interactive environment for questions and peer advice on leasing space in the current market. Presented at the Building for Sustainable Communities, Berkeley, CA, October 27, 2009.

The Community Wealth Seekers Guide: Mapping Your Assets and Identifying Opportunities

An interactive guide to assist organizations in assessing, then developing their "Community Wealth" potential. Includes a series of workbook exercises to assist in this process.

The Economy and Planning for Facilities Development

Here are some common-sense precautions to consider during tough economic crisis as you move forward to realize your facilities development project.

The Marin Teen Center and Marin County Justice Center: From Crisis to Co-Location to Collaboration

Project description and lessons learned for the collaboration between the Marin Teen Center and the Marin County Justice Center.

The Market for a San Francisco Nonprofit Multi-tenant Project

A report on the results of a follow-up project to the "Nonprofts at Risk" report, to see how the San Francisco real estate climate for nonprofits was changing and to test some specific ideas with nonprofit leaders for how to address their organization's space needs moving forward.

UBIT Research

This is a summary of my findings regarding UBIT and MTNC's from the IRS publications accessible on the IRS website. It is not a legal document and a tax lawyer should be consulted in fully understanding any particular case regarding UBIT and required tax payment.

Vision, Purpose and Strategic Planning

A presentation on the importance of clarifying the vision and purpose of a MTNC, and developing a strategic plan. Discusses the potential impact of a MTNC on the NP sector and community. Note: this document is a transcription and may contain typographical errors and omissions.

Webinar: Know Your Market: Market Analysis and Marketing

Who are your potential tenants? How much should you charge for rent? How can you effectively reach them and when should you begin the recruiting process? Real estate professionals and nonprofit center managers share best practices for understanding your potential market, whether you are a developing project, a project in expansion, or just looking to cover regular tenant turnover in this economy. Learn how to conduct a market analysis and how to use it to create your rent structure and in a feasibility study for tenant recruitment. Presented at the NCN webinar February 10, 2009

Welcome to 18th Street Arts Center: Mission-Driven Design for Multi-Use Projects

Mission Driven Design for Multi-Use Projects presentation from Workshop Session C of 2007 Collaborating for Success Conference.

Working With Government Agencies PowerPoint Presentation

This presentation demonstrates the value of sharing resources and the power or interconnecting a MTNC with various city, state, and federal agencies. By focusing one�s mission on vision and purpose, MTNCs can effectively collaborate with public agencies to promote a healthy community and empowered citizenry.The Fort Mason center does just this by drawing in a diverse population with the aid of public programs

YouthVille: Launching the Next Generation

Feature article spotlighting Detroit Youth Foundation's new Center, YouthVille.