OUR HISTORY
Our story would not be possible without the broad support of residents and community organizations in Toronto’s Bloor Dufferin neighbourhood. We are proud that CCST started with neighbours and local organizations who welcome equitable and inclusive development. We value Ward 9’s current diversity, affordability, and access to arts and culture. We are committed to leveraging the $2 million we started with to address Toronto’s rapid loss of affordable spaces for arts and culture, social services and community building.
2019
Community organizing and settlement
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Community group Build A Better Bloor Dufferin (BBBD) secured a historic $17M community benefits settlement that included a $2M fund to preserve arts and culture space in Ward 9
2022
CCST launches
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CCST Co-founders begin developing the organization
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Completed the the ArtsBuild Ontario creative spaces mentorship program to support forming CCST
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Incorporated formally as a non-profit and established 5 person Founding Board consisting of members from BBBD
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Received first settlement payments
2023
Organization development
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Completed our first cycle of member recruitment in the wider community
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Formed a 3 member Advisory Committee to support the Founding Board
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Participated in first annual summit of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts
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Participated in Infrastructure Institute’s Organizational Readiness Program
2024
Strategic planning and growth
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Elected 3 community members to the Board
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Established and operationalized our first Strategic Plan
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Completed community partnership to deliver urban capstone project with University of Toronto's School of Cities
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Completed a second round of member recruitment in the community
2025
First acquisition
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Purchased two artist studios 180 Shaw Street in downtown Toronto through partnership with the Inspirit Foundation, becoming the first Community Land Trust to acquire propety for a cultural purpose in Canada
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Elected 4 additional community members to form the first full Board of Directors
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Participated in the first international Creative Land Trust Summit
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Received final settlement payment