Space for Community: Understanding the Real Estate Challenges Affecting the Not-for-profit / Social Purpose Sectors

October 21, 2020, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Join Jacquie Gijssen and Jennifer Johnstone in a look at a vital part of the real estate market—the social purpose sector. REIBC is proud to partner with the Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative on a major study into the challenges affecting this sector and how it impacts all of us who both enjoy and need the services they provide. From arts and culture to social and community services, childcares, environmental groups—if you are a not-for-profit or social enterprise in BC, real estate is a big part of what these organizations focus on.

Jacqueline Gijssen

Jacquie Gijssen

As Project Director for the Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative, Jacqueline Gijssen works with non-profits / social entrepreneurs, architects, developers, planners, real estate professionals and funders to preserve and create space for community. As Project Director and a founding member of the Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative, she helps mitigate the impacts of the real estate market on non-profits and social enterprises, assisting them with their real estate needs. The former City of Vancouver Senior Planner for Cultural Spaces / Infrastructure, Ms. Gijssen was responsible for capital projects achieved through bonus density and community amenity contributions as well as overseeing a portfolio of 75 properties (100+ artist and NPO tenants) and a $1M capital grants program. Jacqueline has served in multiple leadership roles in arts, culture, museums and heritage and is the recipient of several awards for work individually and as part of collaborative teams in culture, housing, heritage, neighbourhood planning and environment.

Jennifer Johnstone

Jennifer Johnstone

Jennifer Johnstone is President & CEO of Central City Foundation, an organization that has been working to improve lives in Vancouver’s inner-city since 1907. Today, CCF is a $40 million foundation with 40% of its capital invested in innovative, sustainable social purpose real estate properties that provide low income housing, integrated family services and early childhood development, healthcare including BC’s only rural long-term treatment centre for youth challenged by addiction, youth services and social enterprise. Jennifer’s background is in non-profit management and community resource development and over the past 30 years she has held key leadership positions with organizations including Vancity Community Foundation, Battered Women’s Support Services, Vancouver Status of Women, and Ballet British Columbia. Jennifer is a founding member of the Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative, sits on the national Board of the Association Fundraising Professionals and serves as a volunteer Board member for several local organizations.