CSI also incubates a limited number of social innovations, providing them with programmatic, strategic, administrative and or financial services.

[2] The Centre for Social Innovation, was founded in 2004 by Tonya Surman of the Commons Group, Margie Zeidler of Urbanspace Property Group, Mary Rowe of Ideas That Matter, Pat Tobin of Canadian Heritage and Eric Meerkamper of DECODE.

Its first location, CSI Spadina, opened in the Robertson Building owned and operated by the Urbanspace Property Group.

[2] The Spadina location is home to organizations such as Cycle Toronto,[7] StopGap Foundation,[8] Birth Mark,[9] and more.

[12][13] CSI's 800 member organizations include nonprofits, charities, for-profits, entrepreneurs and activists working in areas from health and education, to arts and the environment.

[18] Climate Ventures offers programs, a focused community cluster within CSI, and a dedicated co-working space within the building.