Tired of working in an isolated office that doesn’t meet the needs of your organization or constituents? Is rent eating up a disproportionate amount of your nonprofit budget?

Contact:
Andy Broderick - Andy.Broderick(at)GSDFunds.com
China Brotsky - china(at)tides.org

Workspace: The Constant Crisis

We all know that the power to change the world lies in the ability of people to come together, share ideas, and work to make their visions real. Yet too often Washington-based social change organizations are forced by high rents and a tight real estate market into poor quality space, isolated from their peers and policy makers.

Green Nonprofit Centers: A Long-term Solution

The DC Shared Space Initiative is working to create LEED-certified nonprofit buildings in Washington, DC to house organizations working for positive social change. These green nonprofit centers would provide healthy, quality, mission-enhancing workspace with shared meeting rooms, office equipment and services. More broadly, the planned nonprofit centers will create places where diverse local, regional, and national nonprofits can collaboratively engage in their daily work. These facilities will not only provide accessible, affordable rents for both national and locally-focused organizations, but also the opportunity to own office space within a sustainable nonprofit community building.

Who is the DC Shared Space Initiative?

The DC Shared Space Initiative is a collaboration between Tides Shares Spaces, GreenSpace Development, LLC and a small committee of local philanthropist/activists and nonprofits.

Tides Shared Spaces creates, operates and promotes sustainable workspaces for nonprofits and strengthens nonprofit capacity in the real estate arena. Visit www.thoreau.org to learn more about their successful Thoreau Centers for Sustainability model nonprofit centers in San Francisco and New York.

GreenSpace Developments provides financing and technical assistance to nonprofits and other tax-exempt entities to buy commercial real estate, reposition the assets and convert them into green owner-occupied properties.

Interested?

Tell us about your space needs, the locations, shared services and amenities you would like to see by completing a short online survey: www.tidessharedspaces.org

SAN FRANCISCO, CA; DECEMBER 3, 2008; The NonprofitCenters Network and Tides Shared Spaces released the first in a series of guidebooks today on the economic, environmental and community benefits of shared workspace and services.  Planting a Seed: Foundations Build Communities with Shared Nonprofit Workspace illuminates the benefits and challenges foundations experience in creating mission-focused office facilities for themselves and other nonprofit organizations. The free guidebook showcases foundations that have succeeded and provides concrete examples of the resulting benefits to the nonprofits, communities, and the foundations themselves.

“As the challenges facing the world continue to mount, philanthropic organizations are seizing on new ways to help their communities and the nonprofit organizations within them.  We are fostering nonprofit sustainability through real estate investment and are seeing real benefits from long-term infrastructure cost savings.” --China Brotsky, Senior Vice President at Tides and Managing Director of Tides Shared Spaces.

Especially suited for foundations and nonprofits planning to weather hard economic times, Planting a Seed is an inspirational and practical tool for foundations interested in using their own headquarters or investing in nonprofit building projects to promote healthy, vibrant communities. Nonprofit centers become strategic investments for foundations that reflect their mission and values. Foundations have turned office buildings into community assets by developing diverse spaces providing everything from quality workspace to community conference centers to incubators for social change.

Nonprofit centers also increase long-term savings, create employment opportunities for local residents and support local businesses. These shared workspaces showcase the work of foundations’ tenants and grantees. Set in green spaces and grounded in eco-friendly values, nonprofit centers enhance sustainability by modeling energy efficiency and by using sustainable materials to create healthy workplaces.

The guide includes seventeen profiles of facility projects across the United States which model best practices in providing quality office and community space for nonprofit organizations. Revealing the logistics and inner workings, the guide details key information about their histories, operations and financing.

Sample visionary nonprofit centers include:

• The Wilson Historic District, which grew from the Meadows family’s desire to combine historic preservation with adaptive reuse of some of the last remaining examples of Victorian architecture in the city of Dallas. Their efforts created a nonprofit campus, revitalized a once deteriorating neighborhood, and served as a model for many other foundations.
• The Knight Nonprofit Center, which was created after Hurricane Katrina to house nonprofit organizations left homeless by the devastation of the storm. Once the renovations are completed in January 2009, the Center will be a stable, state of the art home to 22 organizations working to rebuild the region.
• The Thoreau Center for Sustainability in San Francisco, which was created during the early stages of the green building movement. By living its commitment to a healthy and sustainable environment, Tides was the first foundation to combine a nonprofit center with green design.

Download a free copy of the guidebook at www.nonprofitcenters.org/publications.

About Tides Shared Spaces: Tides Shared Spaces creates, operates and promotes sustainable workspace for nonprofits and strengthens nonprofit capacity in the real estate arena. Tides Shared Spaces is part of the Tides network of organizations which actively promotes change toward broadly shared economic opportunity, robust democratic processes and the opportunity to live in a healthy and sustainable environment where human rights are preserved and protected. Founded in 1976, Tides provides an array of services that amplify the efforts of forward-thinking philanthropists, foundations, activists and organizations to make the world a better place. Tides Foundation, Tides Center and Tides Shared Spaces together provide fiscal sponsorship for over 200 groups across the country, operate and support green nonprofit centers and have granted more than $600 million since 2000 alone. For more information, visit www.tidessharedspaces.org.

About The NonprofitCenters Network:  The NonprofitCenters Network offers training, technical assistance, consulting, education resources, and connections to help communities develop and manage their own nonprofit centers. Our vision is a future when every nonprofit organization has access to the workspace it needs to support and promote healthy, vibrant communities. The NonprofitCenters Network is a program of Tides Shared Spaces. www.nonprofitcenters.org.

For media inquiries, contact Christine Coleman at 415.561.6354.

Contact Marjorie Torres at Marjorie.Torres(at)concretestories.com for details.

The LEED for Commercial Interiors is the recognized rating system for certifying high-performance green interiors that support healthier more cost and energy efficient work places and reducing environmental footprint.

By using nontoxic, recycled and sustainbable material, green building practices and continuing to support green facility practices such as the Center's recycling programs, computer area controlled HVAC systems, and green electricity sourcing, Thoreau Center New York and The Nonprofit and Philanthropy Center at 55 Exchange Place have received their LEED Commercial Interiors  (CI) Silver Certification.

Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York is an environmentally sustainable workspace shared by twelve nonprofit organizations and programs. Located at 55 Exchange Place in the old JP Morgan Building, across from the New York Stock Exchange, it is the first shared community and conference space for nonprofits in Lower Manhattan. It is also one of the first office spaces in New York City registered for LEED CI (Commercial Interiors) certification. LEED is the national benchmark for certifying high-performance green interiors which reduce environmental impact, are less costly to operate and provide healthy and productive work spaces.

Tides is pioneering social investment opportunities in creating green nonprofit centers by offering values-based investors an opportunity to earn a strong financial return while supporting dozens of nonprofit groups. Bridge financing for Thoreau Center New York was provided by Wells Fargo Bank with long term financing from Calvert Foundation, Tides Foundation and tax exempt bonds issued by New York City Industrial Development Agency (IDA).

“Green nonprofit centers help increase efficiencies in the nonprofit sector and reduce nonprofit organizations’ exposure to rental market fluctuations,” said Gita Rao, Investment Officer, Calvert Foundation.  “We are pleased to be a part of the Thoreau Center real estate project conceived and developed by Tides Shared Spaces. We have been able to rely on their experience and competency to deliver a finished project with both social and environmental benefits.”

“Nonprofits have an especially hard time finding affordable office space,” said China Brotsky, Vice President at Tides and Managing Director of Tides Shared Spaces.  “That’s why we both create shared spaces for nonprofits and have a program dedicated to helping others start their own green nonprofit centers. Together, groups can gain real purchasing power to access higher quality workspace, infrastructure and technology; and they also expand their network, gaining access to new ideas, potential partners and opportunities.”

Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York houses Tides’ East Coast office and eleven other organizations, some of which also use Tides for their grantmaking and fiscal sponsorship needs. Tides sophisticated financial and management tools help nonprofits focus on their vision and have greater efficiency and impact in their work.

“By buying and renovating Thoreau Center New York, Tides Shared Spaces made it possible for us to acquire a long-term home and a conference center to serve our community,” said Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Executive Director at Hispanic Federation. “Knowing we have such a partnership makes our capital campaign donors comfortable with giving.”

NYC Nonprofits Want Green Shared Spaces:
Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York fulfills important needs for nonprofits. In response to dozens of inquiries about leasing the highly desirable Thoreau Center space, Tides Shared Spaces conducted a survey of New York City nonprofits to learn more about their needs. The survey results showed that there is a critical need for more centers to house the thousands of nonprofit organizations in New York City. Half the respondents reported that their current workspace is inadequate and 43 percent of respondents rated green buildings as an important or crucial aspect of choosing an office space. Nonprofit centers give New York nonprofits the opportunity to lease or buy quality space in important areas where nonprofits are often priced out of the rental market, and Thoreau Center for Sustainability ensures that nonprofits are part of the mix of residential and business space in Lower Manhattan. For more information about the survey, please visit http://www.tidessharedspaces.org.

Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York Opening Event:
An opening celebration for Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. For more information about attending the event or a tour of the facility, please call 212-509-1049.

For inquiries about Tides’ services or Thoreau Center for Sustainability in New York, please contact 212-509-1049or nyinfo(at)tides.org.

About Tides
The Tides vision is a world of broadly shared economic opportunity, robust democratic processes and the opportunity to live in a healthy and sustainable environment where human rights are preserved and protected. Tides is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and provides an array of services that amplifies the efforts of forward-thinking philanthropists, foundations, activists and organizations to make the world a better place. Tides Foundation, Tides Center and Tides Shared Spaces have collaborated with over 15,000 individuals and organizations that have touched millions of lives across the country and around the globe. With offices in San Francisco and New York City, Tides provides fiscal sponsorship for over 200 groups across the country, operates and supports green nonprofit centers and has granted more than $500 million since 2000 alone.

About Tides Shared Spaces
Tides Shared Spaces is the Tides initiative that creates, operates and promotes sustainable workspace for nonprofits and strengthens nonprofit capacity in the real estate arena. Tides Shared Spaces operates Thoreau Centers for Sustainability in San Francisco and New York. These green nonprofit centers house the Tides offices and more than 70 other organizations. In addition, Tides Shared Spaces directs The NonprofitCenters Network, a program that provides education and peer networking for people who run nonprofit centers, those who are in the process of creating one and their philanthropic and real estate partners.

About Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York
Thoreau Center for Sustainability New York is a green nonprofit center with twelve tenants in Lower Manhattan. It was modeled on the success of Thoreau Center for Sustainability in San Francisco, a thriving 150,000 square foot nonprofit center with over 60 tenants. Both centers are operated by Tides Shared Spaces and serve as models to others interested in starting similar endeavors. Thoreau Center New York’s renovation used an environmentally sustainable architectural plan incorporating elements such as recycled building materials, non-toxic paints and energy efficient mechanical systems. Aspects of the center’s sustainable operations include the use of clean renewable energy, nontoxic cleaning products and extensive recycling programs.

For more information, visit www.tides.org and www.tideshsaredspaces.org.

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Copyright © 2007, Tides, Tides Center, Tides Foundation, Tides, Inc., Tides Shared Spaces, Thoreau Center for Sustainability, The NonprofitCenters Network. Other names used in this press release may be trademarks of their respective owners.

BOMA members consider not only the best commercial recycling programs, but evaluate building’s energy and water conservation efforts, air quality and toxics reduction programs, support for public transportation, and effective use of tenant education programs geared to promoting sustainability practices in commercial office buildings. The Environment Committee has created this new award as an opportunity for BOMA members to consider the entire spectrum of programs and practices that constitute an effective sustainability program for office buildings including what policies and procedures should be adopted that can help move a property toward becoming "green."

First place went to the recently renovated, historical Ferry Building downtown. And third place was awarded to the historical U.S. Mint building on 5th and Mission streets. The old Mint was recently remodeled and opened as a museum. We are proud to be considered among these high visibility buildings that were recently remodeled with new technologies. Judges recognized our challenges at Thoreau Center and lauded our grassroots conservation efforts.

In addition, Thoreau Center for Sustainability, a multi-tenant nonprofit center, was honored with a first place CORY Award at the 6th Annual Commercial Recycler of the Year Awards in San Francisco on April 27, 2006. Thoreau Center placed first last year in the same category. The Commercial Recycler of the Year Awards pay tribute to outstanding office buildings, food establishments and hotels committed to the environment through their recycling programs, leadership, policies and innovations.

The award program is hosted by Building and Office Managers Association (BOMA) San Francisco, in conjunction with the San Francisco Department of the Environment and Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling Company.

Thoreau Center for Sustainability received first place in the Small Building category and was chosen for its extensive recycling programs, which include the recycling of batteries, cell phones, light bulbs, printer cartridges, tennis shoes, and keys, in addition to the usual paper, glass and aluminum recycling. Thoreau Center uses post-consumer waste paper products, green janitorial cleaning products, and composts its kitchen waste in office spaces and at the onsite Acre Café. It also has an education program about recycling for its tenants and posts in public spaces its environmental policy stating Thoreau Center’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices in all its operations.
 
“It’s an honor to win this award and a direct reflection of the hard work of our staff and the tenants of Thoreau Center to make our recycling program a success,” said Becky Bacon of Equity Community Management Services, Thoreau Center’s building manager.

About Thoreau Center for Sustainability
Located in the historic Letterman Hospital buildings of San Francisco’s Presidio National Park, Thoreau Center for Sustainability is a highly successful multi-tenant nonprofit center. This 12-building facility houses over 60 organizations and 400 employees working for social and environmental sustainability, as well as two community-oriented art galleries. Thoreau Center has incorporated green design and historic preservation in its buildings and is an operating model for other multi-tenant nonprofit centers.

Thoreau Center is a program of Tides Network through its nonprofit real estate initiative, Tides Shared Spaces. Tides is a group of nonprofits that shares a common vision for a healthy society. For more information, visit www.tidessharedspaces.org.

Copyright 2006, Thoreau Center for Sustainability, Tides Network, Tides Shared Spaces, Tides Foundation. Other names used in this press release may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Two nonprofits received financing assistance for new projects from the New York City Industrial Development Agency (IDA) in September. IDA authorized the sale of about $19 million in bonds on behalf of Tides Two Rivers Fund, as well as a mortgage recording tax waiver of $531,000. Tides Two Rivers Fund, a San Francisco-based non-for-profit organization that develops infrastructure projects for other not-for-profits, will buy an office condominium at 15 Broad Street in Lower Manhattan to create space for a multi-tenant nonprofit center known as the Thoreau East Project. The project cost is expected to be about $23 million. Thoreau East will use the 40,000 square-feet of space to create workspace for community organizations and build a cultural center for the area.

“This project is the latest example of the diversification of the Lower Manhattan economy and the changes taking place Downtown,” said Steven Berzin, IDA Executive Director. “Lower Manhattan is increasingly becoming home to companies from outside the financial services sector, thereby broadening our economic base. With the forward-thinking help of the Tides Two Rivers Fund, the Thoreau East Project exemplifies the kinds of initiatives that will preserve and expand not-for-profit occupancy in the financial district.”

In a separate transaction, Sponsors for Education Opportunity (SEO), a not-for-profit organization that helps underprivileged children with academic and career services, plans to buy and renovate about 15,000 square feet, also in 15 Broad Street. IDA authorized the sale of about $6.3 million in bonds on behalf of SEO, as well as a mortgage recording tax waiver of about $234,000. The organization plans to consolidate its three existing Manhattan office locations to reduce costs and facilitate service coordination. The $10.6 million project will allow SEO to stay in Manhattan and bring its 46 employees Downtown.

The award program is hosted by Building and Office Managers Association (BOMA) San Francisco, in conjunction with the San Francisco Department of the Environment and Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling Company.

Thoreau Center for Sustainability received first place in the Small Building category and was chosen for it's extensive recycling programs which include the recycling of batteries, cell phones, light bulbs and printer cartridges, in addition to the usual paper, glass and can recycling. Thoreau Center uses 100% post consumer waste paper products, green janitorial cleaning products, and composts its kitchen waste in office spaces and at the onsite Acre Café. It also has an education program about recycling for its tenants.

"It's an honor to win this award and a direct reflection of the hard work of our staff and the tenants of Thoreau Center to make our recycling program a success," said Becky Bacon, Thoreau Center Building Manager, ECB Management Services. "We intend to keep up our efforts to support a clean and healthy environment for everyone in the city of San Francisco."

The Thoreau Center buildings were renovated from their former dilapidated state as the Letterman Hospital buildings in 1996. The renovation incorporated green building principles using recycled building materials and an energy efficient design; and the Center's mission is to live in harmony with nature.

About Thoreau Center for Sustainability

Located in the historic Letterman Hospital buildings of San Francisco's Presidio National Park, Thoreau Center for Sustainability is a highly successful multi-tenant nonprofit center. This 12 building facility houses over 60 organizations and 400 people working for social and environmental sustainability as well as two community-oriented art galleries. Thoreau Center has incorporated green design and historic preservation in its buildings and is an operating model for other multi-tenant nonprofit centers.

Thoreau Center is a program of Tides, through it's nonprofit real estate initiative, Tides Shared Spaces. Tides is a group of nonprofits that share a common vision for a healthy society. Tides includes, Tides Foundation, Tides Center, Tides, Inc., Groundspring.org and Community Clinics Initiative. For more information, visit www.thoreau.org, www.nonprofitcenters.org or www.tides.org.

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