This document summarizes the key findings of a survey of 50 non-profit organizations in the Greater Toronto Area about office space trends. The survey found that access to transit, identity-driven design, and collaborative workspaces were most important. Specifically, over 40% said proximity to transit was their top priority when choosing office space. Two-thirds wanted more collaborative meeting areas instead of private offices to drive engagement and productivity. Additionally, non-profits saw their office space as a way to promote their mission and attract talent through identity-focused design.

1. NOT-FOR-PROFIT OFFICE
TRENDS BENCHMARKING
SURVEY
NOTFORPROFIT
ADVISORY GROUP
VOLUME 1
WINTER 2016

2. OPEN MEETING AREAS& FLEXIBILITY
COLLABORATION
/10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPACE MIRRORS
IMPACTIDENTITY /08
TRANSIT IS
CRITICAL
ACCESS
/06
INTRODUCTION
THE QUEST FOR
IMPACTFUL SPACE /04
FOR PROFIT COMPARISON /12
KEY
INSIGHTS
CONCLUSION /13
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3. ACCOUNTABILITY
RENT
SALARIES
TRANSPARENCY
GOVERNANCE
IMPACT
PURPOSE
MISSION
VISION
ETC. ETC.
A non-profits’ success hinges on its ability to maximize
impact given limited capacity and resources.
THE QUEST FOR
IMPACTFUL SPACE
This report delves into the insights from our 2015 Not-
for-Profit Benchmarking Survey to provide the best way
to allocate finite resources to achieve ACCESS, IDENTITY
and COLLABORATION that optimize the delivery of your
organization’s IMPACT.
OFFICE SPACE PROVIDES…
BALANCE BETWEEN
ACCOUNTABILITY & IMPACT
IDENTITY
COLLABORATION
ACCESS
INTRODUCTION
OFFICE SPACE ALIGNED WITH PURPOSE ENHANCES PROGRAM DELIVERY.
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4. ACCESS TRANSIT IS
CRITICAL
PLACING A PREMIUM ON ACCESS PAYS HIGH DIVIDENDS IN
SUPPORTING A NON-PROFITS PURPOSE.
Less than a 10-minute walk to
public transit2.
Less than a 5-minute walk to
public transit1.
Close proximity to stakeholders3.
Proximity to Transit1.
Create Better Efficiencies2.
Promote Team Collaboration3.
Flexibility: Expansion/Downsizing4.
Employee Attraction, Retention5.
Close proximity to like-minded
organizations5.
Easily accessible by car7.
Less than a 15-minute walk to
public transit8.
Close proximity to parking6.
Close proximity to amenities
(i.e. restaurants, shops)4.
46% noted that it is most important for their space to be within a
5-minute walk to public transit.
With respect to your current office space, please rank your choices that are most
important to your organization, cost aside.
42% of non-profits identified proximity to transit as the most
important factor in choosing their office space.
With respect to your location, please rank your top 3 choices as being most important
to your organization, cost aside.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION = TRANSIT TRANSIT TRANSIT
GEN Y BABY BOOMERS
SHORT DISTANCE TO WORK 82% 67%
WALKABILITY 76% 67%
Source: ULI and PWC’s Canada edition 2014 Emerging Trends in Real Estate
EMPLOYEE ATTRACTION RETENTION
Being within a 5-minute walking distance to transit increases the proximity to board
members, volunteers and other stakeholders which can dramatically affect a non-
profit’s ability to maximize capacity while controlling costs.
CAPACITY
Occupying space that allows quick access to like-minded non-profits facilitates the
sharing of knowledge and best practices elevating each organization’s individual
capacity and output without stretching organizational resources.
ECONOMIES OF SHARING
SUBWAY
SUBWAY
Transit is critical in the race to attract and retain top talent. ULI and PWC’s 2014
Emerging Trends in Real Estate report demonstrates short travel distances are
important to all generations, and absolutely essential for the Gen Y demographic
who tend to fall under the moniker “Live Play  Work”._ _
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5. LET YOUR SPACE TELL
YOUR STORY
Non-profits used the following
words to describe their
desired first impression of
their office space:
“EFFICIENT”, “MODEST”
“PROFESSIONAL”, “WARM”
“INVITING” “WELCOMING”
These adjectives illustrate
the intricate relationship
between image and financial
accountability.
IDENTITY SPACE PROMOTES
IMAGE
WELLSPRING TORONTO
CHOOSING A BUILDING ALIGNED WITH IDENTITY
WAS RANKED 8TH OUT OF A CHOICE OF
10 BUILDING ATTRIBUTES.
CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION
PICTURES, STORIES AND TESTIMONIALS REAFFIRM AN ORGANIZATION’S PURPOSE
NATIVE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF TORONTO
TNC CANADA
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6. PRIVATE OFFICES
27% 21% 52%
SHARED WORK AREAS I HOTELING SPACE
13%30% 57%
CLOSED MEETING ROOM
6%46% 48%
COLLABORATION OPEN MEETING
AREAS FLEXIBILITY
66% of non-profits desire more collaborative space vs.
26% simply desiring an open work area.
Open collaboration space such as meeting areas and kitchens drive engagement,
productivity and culture more so than simply open work areas.
OPEN COLLABORATIVE MEETING AREAS ACHIEVE FUNCTIONAL,
FLEXIBLE AND PRODUCTIVE SPACE
Overall better design | functional
More efficient use of space
Better planning for future needs
Ample collaboration | meeting space
Early buy-in from staff
The ability to choose how and where to work is
fundamental to having engaged and productive
employees.
Open meeting areas not only encourage
collaboration, but maximize the function of a space
to be used for hoteling or additional staff during
peak periods.
OPEN COLLABORATIVE
MEETING AREAS
2%66% 32%
OPEN WORK AREAS
26% 8% 66%
PRIVATE OFFICE
OPEN CONCEPT
50/50 MIXTURE
COLLABORATIVE WORKPLACES DRIVE IMPACTMORE LESS STATUS QUO
52%
30%
18%
DESIRED SPACECURRENT SPACE
With respect to the following design elements, do you feel your organization would benefit
from more, less or continuing the status quo?
DESIGN ELEMENTS:
TOP CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN MAKING CHANGES TO SPACE
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7. In 2014, Colliers published a national Office Trends Survey on office tenants in general. The majority of respondents represented the private sector. Recognizing that the business drivers and
resources differ widely between the private and non-profit sector, this Not-for-Profit Office Trends Benchmarking survey endeavored to identify key motivators specific to why non-profits
relocate, renovate or implement any form of change to their environments. This section provides a quick comparative snapshot between For-Profit and Non-Profit office trends.
CONCLUSION
NON-PROFIT
MODEST PRESENCE
OUT OF THE FINANCIAL CORE IN
CLASS B/C BUILDINGS
FOR-PROFIT
PREMIER PRESENCE
IN THE FINANCIAL CORE IN
CLASS A BUILDINGS
COMPARISON NON-PROFIT VS
FOR-PROFIT
KEY
INSIGHTS
ENHANCE CAPACITY ATTRACT TOP TALENT
FOR-PROFIT
10-MINUTE WALK TO TRANSIT
SHARING OF BEST PRACTICES IDEA GENERATION
FOR-PROFIT
SHRINKING FOOTPRINT
55% Stay or become more open
NON-PROFIT
INCREASED FLEXIBILITY
66% More collaborative meeting areas
ACCESS
BUILDINGS ARE PASSIVE INDICATORS OF IDENTITY
Achievement of ACCESS, IDENTITY COLLABORATION will enhance your organization’s CAPACITY
making it easier to maximize IMPACT.
YOUR OFFICE IS MORE THAN A WORK PLACE, IT IS A CATALYST FOR IMPACTRECOGNITION OF THE SUBTLE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FOR-PROFITS AND NON-PROFITS IS CRITICAL
FOR SECURING IMPACTFUL SPACE THAT EXPANDS CAPACITY
IDENTITY
Let your space
tell your story
ACCESS
Transit is Critical
COLLABORATION
Collaborative
workplaces
drive impact
“FOSTER PRODUCTIVITY”
“ATTRACT RETAIN EMPLOYEES”
“PROMOTE NEW IDEAS KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER”
“ENHANCE ACCESS TO FUNDERS”
“INCREASE FLEXIBILITY”
ACHIEVE:
SUBWAY
NON-PROFIT
5-MINUTE WALK TO TRANSIT
SUBWAY
IDENTITY
COLLABORATION
OPPORTUNITY:
RESULTS:
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8. SPECIALIZED FOCUS ON EMPLOYEE
ENGAGEMENT, COLLABORATION AND IDENTITY.
THE LEADING PROVIDER OF REAL ESTATE ADVISORY
SERVICES TO THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR THROUGHOUT THE
GTA AND ACROSS CANADA.
ALIGNED WITH BEST-IN CLASS SPECIALISTS DELIVERING SERVICE TO THE NON-
PROFIT SECTOR IN FIELDS SUCH AS LEGAL, BANKING, ACCOUNTING, DESIGN, AND
OTHER CONSULTING SERVICES.
ENGAGED IN SOCIAL MEDIAPUBLISHED AUTHORS IN INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS AND A REGULAR
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING ISSUES AFFECTING OFFICE SPACE TRENDS IN
THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR.
ACTIVE SPEAKERS,
BOARD MEMBERS AND
VOLUNTEERS.
There is a direct relationship between organizational capacity and how accessible and inclusive you
are with your key stakeholders (i.e. board members and volunteers).
Do not compromise when it comes to proximity to transit.
There exists a direct relationship between your ability to attract and retain talent and how accessible
you are to them.
SUMMARY 10 KEY
INSIGHTS
METHODOLOGY CREDIT
• Credit to Native Child And Family Services Of Toronto
Photo: Levitt Goodman Architects
• 2014 Colliers International Tenant Survey
• ULI and PWC “Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2014”
The primary research for this report was administered through an online survey
targeted specifically to non-profits in the GTA. 50 non-profit organizations
participated in the survey representing a wide range of sectors in the industry.
Of these respondents, 70% were at the Director level and above, 80% lease their
space and 60% have been in their location for 6 or more years.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT ADVISORY
GROUP
ACCESS
Designing your space to promote frequent and casual encounters between your employees can increase
productivity and drive positive culture.
Don’t just take the walls down – add various meeting areas, coffee stations, etc., to promote informal
meetings and the generation of new ideas.
Employee engagement is critical to ensure that change is supported and embraced.
The more open and collaborative your space is, the greater chance you have to be flexible and
accommodating to the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.
COLLABORATION
Your space is a marketing vehicle - use it as such.
Your space providers a window into your mission and culture.
Subtle reminders of your organization’s successes placed throughout your space can act as great motivational
tools for your stakeholders which may yield productivity and cultural benefits.
IDENTITY
@COLLIERSNFP
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9. NOTFORPROFIT
ADVISORY GROUP
COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL
1 QUEEN STREET EAST, SUITE 2200
TORONTO, ON M4E 1H7
+1 416 777 2200
PETER DAVIES*
VICE PRESIDENT, CO-CHAIR
PHONE: +1 416 643 3739
peter.davies@colliers.com
MATTHEW JOHNSON*
VICE PRESIDENT, CO-CHAIR
PHONE: +1 416 643 3754
matthew.johnson@colliers.com
CONTACT INFORMATION
NOT-FOR-PROFIT ADVISORY GROUP
RACHEL ROENSPIES
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
PHONE: +1 416 643 3436
rachel.roenspies@colliers.com
KIMBERLEE WEST
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
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kimberlee.west@colliers.com
CONTRIBUTORS
*Sales Representative
YUAN TIAN
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
PHONE: +1 416 643 3736
yuan.tian@colliers.com
@ColliersNFP
www.collierscanada.com/notforprofit