NetGain Partners Inc.

Toronto's sports field shortage is more than just a numbers game; it's a pressing issue affecting families and youth in the community. While the City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation plan aims to meet demand, it falls short in practical execution. The challenges of accessibility, funding, and location are immense. However, a strategic partnership with local schools could provide a viable solution. Discover how repurposing existing fields could address these challenges effectively in the full article: https://lnkd.in/gtJ6TqUc #TorontoSports #SportsFields #ParksAndRecreation #UrbanPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #InfrastructureFunding #UrbanInfrastructure #StrategicPlanning #PublicPolicy #SportsFacilityPlanning #CommunityEngagement #UrbanDevelopmentStrategy

Public land management agencies are caught in a balancing act: how can we develop urban areas while protecting vital green spaces? Current asset management practices often prioritize development over conservation, failing to account for the immense, hard-to-quantify, value of preserved natural spaces. This can lead to decisions that erode ecosystems and compromise public well-being. Adopting frameworks like Parks Canada's ecological integrity model can help cities better value green spaces and make more informed decisions that prioritize sustainability. Discover why we must rethink how we value green assets and advocate for a shift in perspective on land use. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gfpSSvZA #GreenSpaces #PublicLandManagement #Sustainability #ParksAndRecreation #EcologicalIntegrity #UrbanDevelopment #Conservation #Environment #GreenInfrastructure #Toronto

The ArQuives isn’t just about preserving queer history—it’s about safeguarding democracy and building a more just society. By documenting the stories of marginalized communities, these archives help us confront past injustices and create a fairer future. Learn about the key role 2SLGBTQI archives play in social justice, reconciliation, and equality here: https://lnkd.in/gdKvwB7i #2SLGBTQI #QueerHistory #SocialJustice #Archives #Equality #TheArQuives #Inclusion #Canada #GLAMS #Libraries #Galleries #Museums #Toronto #ArQuives

As Canada’s galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMS) face an uncertain future, effective strategies are essential for their growth. At NetGain Partners, we study and advise a diverse range of GLAMS, from Aboriginal heritage organizations to national museums. By exploring new approaches, GLAMS can redefine their futures and strengthen their impacts on Canadian society. Read the article here for a small insight into the state of Canadian GLAMS.  https://lnkd.in/eNRAXzaw #GLAMS #CulturalHeritage #Innovation #Museums #Libraries #Archives #Canada  #Galleries  #HeritagePreservation #CulturalInstitutions #CommunityEngagement

Toronto’s musicians are often struggling with low pay and heavy workloads. Our recent event, the New Orleans Stomp, proved that fair compensation and good support make a big difference. Could a new payment law like New Orleans' help turn things around for Toronto’s music scene? Check out the full story and see how we might fix the situation here: https://lnkd.in/gwTtkvVE #TorontoMusic #LiveMusic #SupportLocalArtists #MusicIndustry #JazzConcert #CulturalHeritage #FairCompensation #MusicianSupport #ArtsCommunity #MusicVenues #CreativeEconomy #SustainableArts #ArtsLeadership #MusicEcosystem #ProfessionalMusicians #ArtsPolicy #CommunityEngagement

The structure of a contract is a lot like the engineering of a building. An agreement can be built to last or it can fold like a house of cards. NetGain's clients are usually trying to achieve growth and stability, so they want to develop enduring relationships through their work with us. The one specific architectural device that best illustrates this similarity, and NetGain's role, is the idea of a keystone. A keystone joins the two sides of an archway, like a contract. They are carved in precisely the right shape to lock the whole structure in place, without the necessity of framing or mortar. It works by bearing the inward weight from both sides of the arch, transmitting it outwards to the shoulders or abutments, and downwards to the footings or impediments. So the structure isn't weakened by the weight it bears, it's reinforced by it. Isn't this the kind of relationship we seek between institutions, commercial enterprises, civic organizations, and individuals? Marriage vows highlight these attributes. When the partners are under pressure, in sickness, or in poverty, they vow to sustain the union. The failure of marriages signals the desire by many for relationships that strengthen over time, even when burdened in unexpected ways. Maybe NetGain should offer counseling services (It should not!). Corporate contracts fail at comparable rates, adjusting for the term (9% end in dispute). Cross-sectoral deals, so-called 3-P's are the most fraught. So let's be honest - people aren't great at fulfilling their commitments. But in fairness, let's also acknowledge that most of those commitments are made in the course of crude, adversarial bargaining, arriving at terms that better suit one party than the other, to the detriment of the contract itself. At the risk of sounding pompous, here are a couple of principles to structure more wise, fair, and durable agreements: 1. Set terms that encourage the two parties to become more invested in the agreement over time 2.  Assume shifting conditions around the agreement, not static present-day conditions  3. Employ non-adversarial bargaining methods, always concerned with the other side's benefits as well as your own Discover how to build lasting agreements that stand the test of time. Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/g3A3ijdw #Negotiation #BusinessStrategy #Partnerships #MutualBenefit #Nonprofit #CorporateResponsibility #Reciprocity #SustainableGrowth #Collaboration #CommunityEngagement #BusinessDevelopment

Turning Toronto’s Venue Crisis into Creative Opportunity: How Mobile Theatre Solutions Can Revolutionize the Indie Arts Scene Discover how an innovative approach to mobile performance spaces is poised to transform Toronto's indie arts scene. Read this article to learn how this solution can unlock new creative possibilities and overcome venue limitations. https://lnkd.in/guJWMnCT #TorontoArts #IndieTheatre #Collaboration #VenueScarcity #PerformingArts #CulturalDevelopment #ArtsInnovation #CommunityEngagement 

Explore Victoria's vibrant arts community and its struggle with venue scarcity. NetGain Partners dives into the necessity of a Greater Victoria Performing Arts Centre to foster local creativity and attract global talent. Read more about how this initiative aims to redefine Victoria's cultural landscape and more on our website: https://lnkd.in/gR6Jti-u

Akin has accomplished Artscape’s original objectives but without public funding, expanding its studio spaces and artist programming through the post-pandemic disruption.  Its success is due in part to the reciprocal benefits the commercial and non-profit “Akins,” provide one another after NetGain’s help in clarifying governance and operational structures, systems, and policies. See the full post here:https://lnkd.in/ghtazWEU #CreativeEconomy #NonProfit #ArtCommunity #CulturalDevelopment #SocialEnterprise #PostPandemicRecovery #Collaboration #Governance #ArtsFunding #IndieArts #TorontoArts #CommunityBuilding #ArtsAndCulture

Ventures in regenerative farming and circular economy on Toronto’s doorstep:  HopeTowns Community Ventures and the commercial/charitable widget. When economic sectors like government, business, and charity intersect, outcomes are often unpredictable and less than optimal due to conflicting motives and objectives. Government prioritizes accountability over profitability, while businesses focus on profits rather than public interest, creating friction in partnerships. Charities, small in comparison, often struggle to survive in such dynamics. An example of a successful intervention occurred in Port Hope, where NetGain helped steer a public-private partnership towards a positive outcome. The Royal Bank of Canada offered to give away a historic but dilapidated building for $1. The challenge was whether the community, through the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), could restore and use the building effectively. Restoration costs were steep, and the building’s condition complicated its preservation. NetGain concluded that local resources were insufficient, so they sought external investment and leadership. They identified Albert Schultz, a prominent theatre figure with local roots, to spearhead the project. Schultz proposed a broader vision that included regenerative farming to boost local tourism and economy, alongside restoring the music hall. This led to the creation of HopeTowns Community Ventures and Cloverlark Ltd., integrating cultural and agricultural revival strategies to stimulate Port Hope’s economy. The collaborative effort between NetGain, the ACO, and Schultz exemplified how thoughtful cross-sectoral collaboration could overcome the typical pitfalls and turn potential liabilities into community assets, setting a model for similar initiatives elsewhere.