Flexible Workspaces: An Industry of Giving

Published on July 11, 2016 - By Cecilia Amador de San José

“Let’s change the world we work in, not just the way we work.” – Frank Cottle

All Good Work is an initiative between Frank Cottle from ABCN, Tony Bacigalupo from New Work Cities, and Nate Heasley from Goodnik, that seeks to put unused workspace to good use.

Though flexible workspace demand continues to grow, many operators know first-hand that reaching a center’s full capacity is no easy task. In a shared economy where workers fluctuate between gigs and even destinations, most flexible workspace providers see a constant flow of new and returning members. This is no surprise, as part of the appeal of flexible workspaces is that they allow for shorter lease and membership terms; which means that member rates are likely to vary significantly even on a month to month basis.

All Good Work is a non-profit organization that seeks to make the best of this situation while also embracing another one of flexible workspaces’ appealing factors: community.

Their mission is to connect workspace operators who have room to spare with non-profit organizations in order to provide them with reduced-price workspace and resources that will allow them to grow and reach their goals. It’s a win-win program that’ll help flexible workspaces create and strengthen their communities while also increasing their outreach beyond the walls of their centers.

“It addresses the higher-purpose of creating a better world through collaboration and support,” says Cottle.

“The benefits for these organizations are so much greater than just a place to work,” mentions Heasley. “Participating organizations will have the opportunity to be in an environment of business professionals and entrepreneurs, leading to various learning and networking opportunities, as well as potential donors and volunteers.”

As for the participating workspace centers, Heasley explains how All Good Work will give them the opportunity to support a great cause and get credit for it. “The foundation will match flexible workspaces with vetted social impact organizations, and help them measure their impact, providing a corporate social responsibility program at no cost to these workspace operators.”

For Bacigalupo, the program has the potential to serve the greater good. “When Frank came to me with the idea for All Good Work, I was struck by its utter simplicity,” he said. “It will be amazing to see how passionate people and organizations will be able to access what they need in order to thrive in their efforts towards doing a social good.”

Cottle emphasizes this point further, explaining: “We have always understood the generosity of the flexible workspace industry, but in the past no one has stepped forward and captured this generosity in a way that unites the industry and elevates the industry’s purpose of changing the way people work and the world people work in.”

“We believe All Good Work has this capability, and that as our industry grows the world can see us not just as an industry of change, but also as an industry of giving.”

And with little time and some giving, the foundation has already been able to see some change.

A resident organization of All Good Work has already seen the benefits of the program. Rob Wu, from CauseVox, says: “After starting CauseVox in an apartment in Harlem, we were looking for office space to expand. The program helped us make that leap and also brought us into a community of social entrepreneurs that helped accelerate our ideas.”

Workspace operators are starting to line up to become All Good Work partners. They see the potential the foundation holds and they believe in its cause.

projectY coworking in Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a space that’s already donated to All Good Work. Lauren McDaniel, director of projectY, commented that “those driven by a mission of achieving social good are an inspiration in any community,” and flexible workspaces are constantly seeking ways in which to create, nurture, and strengthen community.

And what better way of doing this than by actively being a part of a community of change?

The flexible workspace movement is growing, it’s breaking paradigms, and it’s changing the world. Be a part of this change, be an example to your members, be a part of the larger community.

If you’re interested in becoming an All Good Work partner or wish to apply to their residency program, visit their site.

*Feature image via projectY cowork, an All Good Work partner in Los Alamos