Local Nonprofits And Social Ventures Flock To Silicon Alley Model With Social Mission

Centre for Social Innovation launches First Coworking Space In New York City. End Quote

New York, NY (1888PressRelease) June 12, 2013 - The Canadian-based Centre for Social Innovation is leveraging its 9+ year history of success with coworking spaces for nonprofits and social ventures with the launch of its first US-based location in New York City. While coworking spaces aren't new to New York City, with more than 70 sites available for a myriad of sectors, CSI is the first to focus solely on the social change sector, making it a major enticement for startups and small organizations looking to do good.

Through a partnership with RXR Realty, CSI is calling the renowned Starrett-Lehigh building home; occupying more than 24,000 square feet on the third floor of the building. The concept for the office space was built to house small organizations that needed office space for teams of 1-4 people and administrative resources without the price tag of traditional New York City rents. CSI offers 32 offices, 40 private desks and dozens of spaces for teams and part-time users. There are also four meeting rooms and three conference rooms/classrooms that can be combined for classes and special events to accommodate up to 200 people.

The space lives up to the urban, industrial vibe of the building with an eclectic mix of reclaimed furniture and whimsical yet functional touches throughout the space. Old signage has been repurposed as desk spaces, several walls are dedicated chalk boards for team brainstorming sessions and each office contains a whiteboard wall for that same purpose.

As part of the community building culture, CSI hosts weekly lunches with members as well as professional development workshops led by industry experts.

CSI's official grand opening was May 1, 2013 and they are already at 85% occupancy for office spacethe end of the summer..

"We are very excited to bring our model to the US, specifically New York City, a true hub for social change. We have witnessed firsthand the benefits of providing andorganizations and start-ups with access to office space, capacity building resources and a dynamic community," stated Eli Malinsky, executive director of the Centre for Social Innovation, NYC. "It is our goal to help create a 'social silicon alley' in New York City.

CSI's exclusivity to the nonprofit and social ventures makes it a major attraction. Tenants are encouraged to collaborate and share resources to create a true sense of community. At CSI, tenants' first point of contact is a community animator, whose primary responsibility is to understand the business of the tenant and their needs for success. Through an internal process, animators make introductions to other organizations, provide access to capacity building resources and serve as a communications liaison within the CSI community.

Twenty nonprofits, 20 social ventures and a dozen capacity building vendors make up the current tenant roster. Many of the tenants are excited about the prospect of working in community with other like-minded organizations while keeping overhead low.

"Humanity in Action was not actually in the market for new office space. We chose to break our lease and give up space in midtown Manhattan. We did so because we felt that this (CSI NY) was simply too good an opportunity to pass up," shared Philip Ugelow, Deputy Executive Director of Humanity In Action. "Collaboration is in our DNA. As a small, entrepreneurial organization there's no question that we will gain tremendously by gaining access to the expertise, relationships and resources of more than 100 new colleagues and the organizations they represent."

For more information about Centre for Social Innovation New York please visit www.socialinnovation.org.

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