Shared Options

Calgary has a growing body of more than 5,000 charities and nonprofits with limited available resources to support their work in the community. The environment these groups work in has become increasingly uncertain in the face of the economic downturn. In this context, interest in innovative, alternative organizational structures and approaches to service delivery, already present in the community, has taken on a greater sense of urgency and interest. Exploration of new organizational approaches is required to ensure the community continues to benefit from the contributions of local charities and nonprofits.

Shared options include:

• Shared space, goods

• Shared people

• Shared programming, services

• Shared technology, fundraising

CCVO has undertaken a number of projects in this area. The most recent project focused on building knowledge, readiness and resources in Calgary’s voluntary sector. The following publications have been produced.

Sharing Services, Sharing Space: Laying the Foundation for increased collaboration in the voluntary sector
Sharing Resources & Links
Sharing Terms & Definitions

Conference proceedings from the 2008 Sharing for Social Change: An Exploration of Shared Space and Shared Service Models in Ontario’s Nonprofit Sector event include numerous case studies, advice, insight and recommendations to support further development of sharing in the sector.