The 7 Perks of Moving your Nonprofit to a Coworking Space
Running a nonprofit can be extremely rewarding, but comes with its fair share of challenges. Your team works tirelessly to make a difference, but often the behind-the-scenes costs of running an organization – like rent, utilities, and technology – can drain valuable resources that could otherwise fuel your mission. That’s where coworking spaces come in.
Coworking isn’t just for startups and freelancers. For nonprofits, it offers an affordable, flexible, and inspiring alternative to traditional office space. By making the move, you can cut overhead costs, access modern amenities, and surround your team with a supportive community – all while keeping your focus where it belongs: your mission.
Here are seven big perks of moving your nonprofit to a coworking space:
Save Money on Overhead – Spend More on Programming.
Running a nonprofit means constantly balancing impact with resources. Every dollar saved on operations is a dollar that can be redirected toward programming, outreach, and the people you serve.
Coworking spaces help reduce the hidden costs of running an office without sacrificing professionalism or comfort. Instead of managing a long list of vendors, bills, and equipment needs, your team can focus on the mission while the space handles the rest. With a coworking space, you can save on the following:
Property Costs: Access lower, flexible membership fees, and dedicated spaces that cost far less than long-term leases or mortgages.
Technology: Nonprofits spend an average of 54% of their tech budgets on hardware, often for tools coworking spaces already provide. Unlike typical office rentals, coworking memberships include high-speed internet, wireless printing, display screens, and whiteboards, with no upfront costs, maintenance, or vendor wrangling.
Administrative Hassles: Tasks like building upkeep and repairs don’t fall on your plate, they’re built into your coworking membership. You get a professional, well-maintained space without managing service calls or juggling facility vendors.
Utilities: Separate bills for water, gas, electricity, and internet mean tracking usage, managing vendors, and bracing for surprise costs month after month. For nonprofits, that’s time and energy pulled away from programs and people. Coworking spaces bundle all utilities into one predictable, all-inclusive membership fee. No billing headaches. No budget guesswork. Just one less thing to manage.
Equipment and Furnishings: Outfitting an office takes time, money, and logistics. For nonprofits, it’s a drain on already limited resources. Coworking spaces come fully furnished and ready to go. You get a comfortable, professional setup without the cost, the coordination, or the chaos.
2. Expand Your Nonprofit's Network.
Nonprofits thrive on relationships, but growing beyond the same circle of supporters, volunteers, and donors can be a challenge. Coworking spaces open the door to an entirely new community of people who bring fresh perspectives, skills, and connections to the table.
Within a coworking environment, you’ll find professionals from diverse industries, entrepreneurs with creative ideas, and community members eager to collaborate. These relationships can spark innovative solutions to long-standing challenges, introduce you to potential partners, and even connect you with future donors or board members.
The built-in diversity of a coworking space doesn’t just expand your network – it strengthens it, giving your nonprofit access to perspectives and opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.
3. Leverage Shared Resources.
Let’s face it, many of us have things we don’t use every day (some things more expensive than others). For example, do we all really need a printer that might only be used for less than a minute each day? Probably not. So, here’s one of those lessons we learned back in kindergarten: let’s share!
By pooling resources, nonprofits can save money, save time, and even promote sustainability, helping us AND the environment. Here are some of the key items you can share with us:
Internet Service and Wi-Fi: One reliable connection can serve many, cutting costs and reducing redundancy.
Space: Sharing common areas like kitchens, lounges, and meeting rooms make better use of square footage.
Furniture: Desks, chairs, and storage solutions can be shared and repurposed instead of purchased individually.
Water, Heat, and Electricity: Sharing one system lowers utility costs and reduces the strain on natural resources. It's a win for budgets and the planet.
Kitchen Supplies: One shared kitchen setup is all it takes. It’s more efficient, less cluttered, and saves the cost of buying the same essentials over and over.
4. Fuel the People Who Fuel the Mission
A motivated team is a thriving team. Coworking spaces are intentionally designed with bright, open layouts, comfortable furnishings, and plenty of natural light – often paired with greenery and thoughtful design touches that make the space feel alive.
Unlike traditional offices, they foster balance through casual gathering spots, shared kitchens, and spontaneous moments of connection that help break up the grind.
For nonprofit staff who often work long, passion-fueled hours, these small shifts make a big impact. Being in an environment where they can collaborate, recharge, and feel genuinely supported is not only more socially fulfilling, but it statistically boosts morale but reduces burnout. Happier, healthier employees bring more energy to the mission, and that ripple effect is felt across the entire organization.
5. Adapt Your Staffing to Fit the Need
Finding the right talent for a nonprofit can be tricky, especially if you need specific skills for a project but can’t justify hiring permanent staff. That’s where a coworking community comes in. You’ll find professionals with diverse expertise who are open to collaborating, consulting, or even volunteering – helping you bridge gaps without long-term commitments.
When it’s time to expand your team, being part of a coworking community can make the process feel more natural. You might discover your next hire working just a few desks away – someone who already understands your mission and fits your rhythm. The informal connections and shared environment often lead to organic growth, making it easier to spot talent and build trust before you even post a job description.
Coworking environments make it easier for nonprofits to grow on their own terms. Whether that means tapping into local expertise for short-term support, testing new initiatives with lean staffing, or staying nimble as roles and responsibilities evolve.
6. Say Goodbye to Lease Negotiations
Coworking isn’t about long leases – it’s about memberships. And memberships are designed with flexibility in mind. Instead of getting locked into lengthy contracts, rigid terms, and rising rent, you gain a simple, transparent structure that adapts as your organization does.
A coworking membership provides the following:
Fewer Transactions, More Relationships
Skip the stacks of lease paperwork and ongoing negotiations. With one straightforward membership, you spend less time managing contracts and more time connecting with people who can support your mission.
Scale Up or Down with Ease
Whether you’re onboarding new staff, bringing on seasonal interns, or downsizing during slower months, your space can flex to match. WorkSmart offers different spaces to accommodate your shifting needs, from 4-person workshops to 25-person group trainings – we’ve got you covered.
Only Pay for What You Need
Why cover the cost of a boardroom that only gets used a handful of times a year? With coworking, you book meeting rooms or event spaces only when you need them, keeping your budget lean and focused on your cause.
Grow Sustainably
Leases often push organizations to take on more space (and more cost) than they actually need. A membership lets you expand thoughtfully, investing resources where they’ll have the biggest impact instead of tying them up in unused square footage.
Stay Flexible
Priorities and funding can shift quickly in the nonprofit world. Membership-based coworking means your workspace can shift with you, allowing you to adapt operations without the stress of breaking a lease or renegotiating terms.
A coworking membership isn’t just convenient – it’s a smarter, more sustainable way to give your nonprofit the space it needs to thrive.
7. Surround Yourself With Inspiration
Running a nonprofit takes heart, and at times, it can feel exhausting or even isolating. When your energy is running low, being surrounded by passionate, motivated people can be exactly what you need to recharge. In a coworking space, inspiration is built into the environment.
You’ll find encouragement in celebrating your wins and sharing in the successes of others. You’ll discover support when challenges arise and motivation in the contagious energy of a diverse community.
Coworking reminds you that you’re not in this alone. With the right environment and the right people around you, your nonprofit has the fuel to thrive and make an even bigger impact.
Ready to See How Coworking Can Transform Your Nonprofit?
Running a nonprofit takes passion, persistence, and smart decisions about where to put your resources. By moving into a coworking space, you’ll cut costs, give your team a healthier environment, and surround your mission with the energy and support it deserves.
Visit our website to book your tour today and start focusing on what matters most: your mission.