SOCIAL IMPACT
Supporting the social fabric of our communities
We have a powerful vision to lead by leveraging real estate development as a platform for positive social impact and city-building.
At Daniels, we go beyond bricks and mortar. We put people first by envisioning communities where every individual feels valued, welcomed, and at home. Our drive is to foster inclusivity, sustainability, and genuine societal growth by embedding these ideals into every facet of our work—from social procurement and affordable housing to building community capacity and generating economic opportunity.
We understand the profound difference a tight-knit community can make—a place where residents bond over shared passions, be it urban agriculture, arts, or health and wellness. Such unified communities not only enrich the social fabric but also bolster local economies.
Our dedication stems from a place of genuine care and intention. We listen, learn, and grow alongside the communities we serve. This collaborative spirit defines our unique approach, and it’s our promise to continue building vibrant and resilient communities for the future.
CRAFTING COMMUNITIES WITH SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS PROCUREMENT
Every dollar we spend reinforces our commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth in the communities in which we build. Our dedication to social procurement goes beyond business—it’s a purposeful stride towards uplifting local economies and creating unity.
From catering and security to grounds-keeping, our investments boost local enterprises, helping our communities flourish from the inside. In our common areas, handpicked art narrates local stories, each piece carefully chosen from emerging to mid-career artists, and we welcome our residents home with heartfelt gifts crafted by community-rooted artists.
In 2022, Daniels channeled over $500,000 into local artistry, showcasing neighbourhood passion and talent. Significantly, over 95% of these artists belong to equity-deserving groups, emphasizing our dedication to inclusivity and community empowerment.
LILY and ELISE
by Benny Bing
Regent Park: “A Love Poem”
by Sakina Sewing Circle
Symphony
by Mazhar
ANCHORS, BALLAST AND BALANCE
by Silvia Taylor
PARTNERSHIPS POWER AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Homeownership is a dream many hold, yet financial barriers often stand in the way. At Daniels, we’re fueled by a mission to bridge this gap. Our meaningful partnerships and innovative financial assistance programs have opened the doors of affordable homes to countless families and individuals.
We stand proud as Canada’s foremost private-sector champion for affordable housing. For a quarter-century, our partnership with Habitat for Humanity has been a beacon of change. In a landmark gesture in 2008, we donated land in Lakeshore Village, Etobicoke, enabling Habitat for Humanity to construct 10 townhomes—making it the largest land gift by a private company in Habitat Canada’s history. Through sheer dedication, Daniels has contributed over $6 million to Habitat for Humanity, which has resulted in safe, affordable and nurturing homes for 95 partner families across the GTA. At Daniels, our belief is clear: united, we illuminate brighter futures.
DRIVING COMMUNITY GROWTH
Over the past four decades, Daniels has been passionately crafting affordable community spaces that fuel the ambitions of small businesses, local entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. Our mission here is clear: to empower every individual, particularly artists and entrepreneurs, with opportunities that transcend barriers and unlock their potential.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration with BNI (Black North Initiative), we’ve established Work-Live studios at DuEast Condominiums and Artworks Tower in Regent Park. This initiative offers Black-identifying artists and creatives spaces at nearly half the market rate, serving as a canvas for them to hone, display, and celebrate their talents and build relationships in the local community. But it’s more than just a space—it’s a movement. By addressing systemic challenges faced by Black artists, we’re not only amplifying their voices, but also weaving them into the community’s fabric. A key feature? The Social Impact Exchange is a platform that enables artists in the Work-Live studios to immerse themselves in community initiatives, truly enriching the neighbourhoods in which they work and live. We deeply believe that fostering economic opportunities and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion is the recipe for thriving, vibrant communities.
OUR PROMISE EXTENDS BEYOND EVERY HOME
Every foundation we lay is a promise to a thriving community. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations, grassroots collaboration, and support for community initiatives, we’ve redefined city-building, always with people at its heart.
We deeply believe in weaving nature into urban spaces. We champion initiatives like balcony container gardens, community plots, greenhouse, and even farmers’ markets. More than just sustainable endeavours, these green spaces are community cornerstones. Our gardening plots, for instance, are common grounds where neighbours bond, sowing seeds of connection, fostering a shared love for the land and one another.
Creating Employment & Training Opportunities
Creating Real Apprenticeships For Toronto (CRAFT)
A 14-week, fully paid, pre-apprenticeship program offers participants three weeks of training at The College of Carpenters and Allied Trades’ followed by 10-week placements working on construction sites, and the eligibility to pursue apprenticeship agreements with Carpenters’ Local 27.
MOVING TOWARDS OPPORTUNITY (MTO)
This youth employment initiative, in partnership with community agencies for 16-18-year-olds residing in Regent Park and surroundings, better prepares youth for lifelong employment. The 14-week employment readiness program is followed by an eight-week, full-time paid work opportunity during their summer break.
HIGHER LEARNING INITIATIVE (HLI)
To help Regent Park residents unable to utilize their internationally-attained post-secondary credentials to find meaningful employment in Canada, Daniels partnered with the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Education and Toronto Employment and Social Service to support these foreign-trained professionals.
United Way Greater Toronto Inclusive Local Employment Opportunity (ILEO) Initiative
Daniels has signed on to the United Way of Greater Toronto ILEO Charter to help bring together the private, public, community sectors and labour to find innovative ways to enhance economic prosperity in the Greater Toronto Region and create lasting inclusive economic vitality at the neighbourhood level.
Organizations that we support
Daniels Spectrum
Daniels Spectrum is a 60,000 sq. ft. community cultural hub in Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood. This innovative space represents an important part of the social fabric that continues to be woven through the Regent Park revitalization. Daniels Spectrum is named in recognition of a generous lead gift from The Daniels Corporation and The John and Myrna Daniels Charitable Foundation. It is also a joint venture between Artscape, Toronto Community Housing, The Daniels Corporation and the Regent Park community. Daniels Spectrum hosts a range of culturally diverse programming and is home to seven innovative organizations: ArtHeart Community Art Centre, Centre for Social Innovation, Native Earth Performing Arts, Pathways to Education, Regent Park Film Festival, Centennial College Performing Arts Commons, and Regent Park School of Music.
Visit danielsspectrum.ca.
Second Harvest
Second Harvest is an organization that rescues and prepares excess fresh food, which it then delivers daily to social service agencies in Toronto. Daniels has played an ongoing role as Presenting Sponsor of Toronto Taste for 25 years, Second Harvest’s annual gala fundraising event, as well as helping build a major extension on the organization’s warehouse in 2009. Members of the Daniels’ team enjoy participating in Second Harvest’s annual campaigns including Lunch Money Days, Hero Day and the holiday turkey drive.
Visit secondharvest.ca.
Habitat for Humanity GTA
Giving a hand up, not a hand out, Habitat for Humanity GTA partners with working, low-income families to provide safe and affordable homes. For over 24 years, Daniels has partnered with Habitat for Humanity GTA and local affiliates to empower families in need of a place to call home. Daniels has contributed over $6 million to Habitat, which has resulted in safe, affordable and healthy homes for 96 Habitat partner families across the GTA.
Visit habitatgta.ca
Brampton Arts Organization
The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is a unique organization incubating within the City of Brampton focused on growing, celebrating, advocating for and connecting the creative sector by offering a range of programs, services and resources. Daniels is proud to be Brampton Arts Organizations inaugural Community Partner. This multi-year sponsorship signifies Daniels’ commitment to supporting BAO’s continuous efforts in programming, resource development, and support services for the vibrant arts, culture, and creative industries in Brampton. Together, we are committed to elevating and empowering the artistic landscape of Brampton by fostering accessible and inclusive arts programming.
Friends of Ruby
In late 2020, Daniels celebrated the opening of Friends of Ruby Home, Canada’s first residence providing transitional housing and in-house counselling for homeless LGBTQI2S youth in Toronto. More than a place to sleep, Friends of Ruby welcomes young people into a supportive community that helps them move toward independent living. Friends of Ruby is a response to the LGBTQI2S youth homelessness crisis resulting from disproportionately high rates of family rejection, violence and trauma. Daniels’ contribution of over $4 million as well as our teams work aligns with our mandate of using development as a platform for social change, as Friends of Ruby will have a significant positive impact on thousands of young lives for decades to come.
Visit friendsofruby.ca.
Community Music Schools of Toronto
Community Music Schools of Toronto is a community music school that provides youth in need with a rich and rewarding music and social education by removing the financial obstacle. Through fundraising sponsorships and events with the Community Music Schools of Toronto, Daniels supports high-quality, affordable music education and mentoring to help kids flourish through music.
Covenant House
For over seven years, Daniels has been supporting Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest homeless youth agency, by providing deeply subsidized rental apartments for a transitional housing program. This ongoing program, integrated within a Daniels condominium building, provides youth aged 18 to 24 with access to stable housing, which has a positive effect on mental health by removing the day-to-day worry of survival. Covenant House Toronto changes lives, helping vulnerable young people learn life skills, access job training, and gain confidence to live independently.
Visit covenanthousetoronto.ca.
Visions of Science
Visions of Science Network for Learning is a charitable organization that empowers youth from low-income communities through meaningful engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). As Visions of Science was keen to deepen their impact in communities, developing their operational capacity became a priority. In order to support this growth, Visions of Science have relocated their headquarters to 71 Regent Park Blvd. Catalyzed with seed funding from The Daniels Corporation, this move will enrich Visions of Science’s impact in communities.
Visit vosnl.org.
Erin Mills Farmers Market
To expand access to healthy food, in 2013 the Daniels team transformed land awaiting development in Erin Mills into a farmers’ market and urban farm. In 2016, the Erin Mills Farmers’ Market was established as a not-for-profit organization. In 2020, the market moved to its new permanent home within the courtyard of Arc Condominiums at the Daniels Erin Mills community. Food and urban agriculture Initiatives expand access to healthy food choices. They also demonstrate sustainability, well-being and education around food security and provide a platform to develop and nurture a spirit of community within residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Visit erinmillsmarket.com.
Akin Collective
Akin is a Toronto-based arts organization that offers arts-based programming and studio space where artists can work on creative endeavours and entrepreneurial undertakings. Akin builds community through monthly art critique, workshops, open studio events, gallery tours and exhibitions, as well as various other projects. Daniels’ donation to the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund provided Akin artists and creatives with an anonymous, one-time emergency grants toward rent for their studios.
Visit akincollective.com.
University of Toronto John. H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
John and Myrna Daniels have made historic gifts totalling $30 million to the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto. The gifts established an endowment for financial aid to students in perpetuity, and also launched the implementation of the expansion and renovation of the Faculty’s building. In recognition of the gifts, the Faculty’s name has been changed to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. In 2017, the Faculty celebrated the opening of its new home, the Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent. The Daniels Corporation has also contributed $1 million, evenly divided between Daniels Faculty capital campaign and The John and Myrna Daniels Scholar Award program.
Visit www.daniels.utoronto.ca.
L’Arche Toronto
Daniels has partnered with L’Arche Toronto to custom build an eight-bedroom condominium within the Artworks Tower in Regent Park. Designed to meet the assisted-living needs of L’Arche clients, this new home will provide a fully-accessible, barrier-free and inclusiveenvironment for people with intellectual disabilities.