• Home
  • Features
    • Membership Software
    • Member Directory
    • Event Calendar & Registration
    • Member Billing & Online Payments
    • Donations, Shopping Carts & Forms
    • Job Board
    • Announcement Board
    • Classified Ads
    • Members Only Website
    • Website Integration
      • WordPress
      • Squarespace
      • Weebly
      • Without Code
      • Duda
      • Wix
      • HTML5
    • Integrations
    • International
  • Sign Up
    • Pricing & Sign Up
  • Customers
    • Customer Sign In
    • Getting Started
      • MembershipWorks Hosted Website
      • WordPress Plugin
      • Squarespace
      • Weebly
      • Without Code
      • Wix
      • HTML5
    • Customer Websites
  • Developers
    • Find a Developer
    • Create a Developer Listing
    • Manage Developer Listing
  • Demo
    • WordPress Demo
    • Squarespace Demo
    • Weebly Demo
    • Without Code Demo
    • Duda Demo
    • Wix Demo
    • Video Demo of Admin
    • Schedule a Personal Demo
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Cancel/Suspend Account
    • Schedule a Personal Demo
    • Schedule a Personal Training Session
    • Our Blogs
      • Guides
      • Best Practices
      • Secret Confessions of an ED
      • WordPress with the Light On
    • New Features
    • Careers
    • System Status
Schedule Demo

Discover our membership software with a one-on-one personalized demo:

Schedule a Demo
CMS Integrations

Integrate with WordPress, SquareSpace, Weebly and more.

Learn More!
MembershipWorkslogo

How Coworking Can Benefit Your Nonprofit

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Karen KuahJul 30, 2020

What is Coworking

Coworking is a shared office environment where a variety of professionals come together in a community atmosphere to grow their businesses. They are often popular with freelancers, remote workers, independent professionals and entrepreneurs.  Over the last couple of years I’ve become a big fan of coworking.  The increased connections, learning and community interaction that has benefited me could also help many nonprofit executives.

Benefits of Coworking for Nonprofits

Benefit 1: Reduce Costs and Maintenance

Many people think coworking is just for businesses but it can also be perfect for nonprofits. The primary benefit of coworking is the shared cost, so you can have an office for a lot less while still presenting a professional image to your members. It can also reduce your workload and expenses as office maintenance and cleaning will typically be taken care of for you.

Benefit 2: Flexible Meeting Spaces

When you do need to hold a meeting with your board, members or visitors, coworking spaces provide flexible meeting spaces that you can utilize when needed. Each coworking space has its own pricing system and rules.  Some have all inclusive membership fees while others may limit access or charge by the day or hour.

Benefit 3: Collaboration and Networking

The biggest benefit of coworking spaces is the opportunity to connect to a variety of people around you. A lively, collaborative atmosphere, can bring new ideas, insights and inspiration to your nonprofit and membership. The inherent networking can bring exciting new opportunities as well. You might even find someone to sponsor your organization.

Each coworking space has its own personality. Posh Coworking, here in Austin Texas, has an experienced business coach with weekly office hours who offers free guidance to its members. Another local Coworking space, Golab Austin caters to bootstrapping entrepreneurs. The Nonprofit Village in Rockville Maryland is focused around nonprofits.

Finding a Coworking Space

People working at tables

GoLab Austin

Before joining a coworking space you should make a list of your needs. Some things to consider are:

  • Do you need conference room access?
  • Are you looking for a quiet or social space?
  • Would you like a space that also offers guidance and coaching?
  • What is the parking situation?
  • Is the location convenient for your board and members to visit?
  • What communal resources do they provide?

Once you have an idea of your needs visit several coworking spaces. Many will give potential members a 1 day free pass so you can experience the atmosphere before joining. Spend a day working there to see if it is the right fit for you. I suggest you try several and talk to some of the members to get a good understanding of your options. Once you’ve decided you can choose the plan that fits your needs and enjoy the benefits of your new community.

Happy Coworking!

GoToOlder PostNewer PostAll PostsSecret Confessions of an ED

About Karen Kuah

Karen Kuah has been involved with nonprofits for over a decade. She has served in a variety of capacities including executive director, employee, committee member and volunteer. Currently, she is serving as a board member for a local nonprofit. Karen utilizes her experiences working and volunteering with membership organizations in designing MembershipWorks features and services. She understands the unique challenges that face small to mid sized organizations and how the right technology can be a large part of the solution.View all posts by Karen Kuah

1 comment

  1. Pingback: Com pot ajudar el coworking a les entitats sense afany de lucre? | Joves Teb

Comments are closed.

  • Home
  • Features
  • Sign Up
  • Customer Sign-In
  • Terms of Service / Privacy
  • Developers
  • Contact