Community Spaces Network

Community Spaces Network (CSN) is a membership-based nonprofit that supports organizations engaged in Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) in the US and Canada.  SPRE encompasses buildings and spaces that are owned and operated by mission-driven organizations for the purpose of community benefit, such as multi-tenant nonprofit centers and other community-serving spaces.

CSN’s members include people involved in nonprofit real estate projects and related organizations.  CSN has four key service areas: resources, membership, events, and consulting.  It serves over 450 members in 39 states and provinces who are engaged in developing and operating more than 500 community spaces housing 8,500 nonprofit organizations.  Its bi-annual conference, the SPRE Summit, attracts hundreds of participants.

Issue

How can this membership-based nonprofit better understand the distinct needs and motivations of each of its member groups and market/communicate the value of membership to them?

Situation

CSN recently expanded its target membership beyond developers and operators of Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) to include SPRE Partners—professionals, businesses, and organizations engaged in the SPRE sector. However, this expansion has surfaced challenges around clearly articulating membership value to new audiences, as well as questions about the clarity, segmentation, and sustainability of the overall membership model.  

CSN wants answers to several questions. How to best identify and reach SPRE Partners (and new developers/operators) to expand the network? How to create value (benefits/content/events) that apply/appeal to all membership types (developers, operators, and partners)?  How to market/communicate the value of membership to target audiences?

Project

An ACT project team will help CSN create a clear, strategic framework for defining and segmenting its membership types, particularly SPRE Partners. The team will help CSN better understand the distinct needs and motivations of each member group and how its offerings can be refined or expanded to meet those needs effectively. The project will include development of actionable recommendations to strengthen CSN’s member recruitment and engagement strategies, ensuring that its value proposition is compelling, relevant, and aligned with its mission.