Accelerator Program Description
The Accelerator Program is a free, public program to support and speed up pre-development processes for mission-driven organizations who wish to invest in their own spaces. The Accelerator is designed for groups developing social purpose real estate projects, with a confirmed site or partnerships in place, and in search of support through the pre-development phase of a project. This intensive 6-month program seeks to go beyond building capacity within an organization, focusing on working with groups to start drafting the project details that they need to pitch projects to partners, funders, investors, and government agencies. All participants that complete the program have the opportunity to pitch their projects to investors and potential project partners from the Accelerator’s ecosystem of collaborators.
“My organization registered for the Accelerator program not knowing, what to expect and how that could benefit our project. We learnt a lot in terms navigating through the different phases of social purpose real estate development. The two pitches were [a] great experience. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and this is handy in charting our way forward and hope to tap into the Infrastructure resources going forward. Bravo!!” Ghanian Canadian Association of Ontario, 2023-2024 Accelerator Cohort
Check out our report on outcomes of the first cohort of this program.
Details
- Programming from January 15-June 18, 2025
- 2-hour, bi-weekly online sessions
- Regular mentor check-ins
- Support from the Institute’s in-house consultants (architect, planner, designer, pro forma support)
- Applications will soon be open for the 2025 Accelerator cohort, with a deadline of October 29, 2024. Scroll down for program Eligibility and How to Apply.
- Read our FAQ
Learn more about previous cohorts!
Key Program
Topics
Organizational Readiness Review
Idea Refinement
Concept Plan & Visualization
Business Plan & Financial Modelling
Addressing Unforeseen Challenges
Making an Investment Pitch
Eligibility
The Accelerator application process is open to all groups that are:
- Able to commit to the full 6-month program;
- A registered charity or non-profit organization;
- Are based in Ontario;
- Demonstrate that they have an interest in developing a social purpose development;
- Have confirmed either a site or project partners for a project (i.e. already own a site to build on or have confirmed units in a building owned by another organization or developer).
- Able to confirm 2-4 participants from the organization for the duration of the program (participants can alternate attendance of bi-weekly sessions)
- Able to demonstrate support from the organization’s Board of Directors. Commitment from at least one staff and one Board member to participate in this program will be considered an asset in the application review process;
- Though not mandatory, groups are encouraged to complete the Infrastructure Institute’s SPRE 101 Training Module and Organizational Readiness Program to prepare for participation in the Accelerator. to prepare for participation in the Accelerator.
How to apply
Applications for this program will be accepted starting on August 12, 2024 through an online form that will be posted on this website. In the meantime, please consult the program guide to review the application questions to prepare your responses.
Applications are now closed.
Example projects:
A nonprofit service provider that owns their building and is looking to redevelop the site with affordable housing while maintaining a footprint on the property;
A school board that has identified a surplus site to redevelop with a social purpose, or a desire to integrate a school into a building that includes other social uses;
An Indigenous-led urban housing provider looking to develop an affordable housing or supportive housing project;
A community land trust working to increase the density of an existing site, adding more affordable units to the building.
Questions?
Reach out to Raisa Masud, Program Officer, raisa.masud@mail.utoronto.ca
Example projects:
- A nonprofit service provider that owns their building and is looking to redevelop the site with affordable housing while maintaining a footprint on the property;
- A school board that has identified a surplus site to redevelop with a social purpose, or a desire to integrate a school into a building that includes other social uses;
- An Indigenous-led urban housing provider looking to develop an affordable housing or supportive housing project;
- A community land trust aiming to purchase buildings in their community to preserve affordable housing, possibly including renovations to improve living standards.
Questions?
Please contact Alix Aylen, Program Lead, at Alix.Aylen@mail.utoronto.ca