Operating Principles

The Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) provides a range of services designed to strengthen communities, inform public policy, and empower local organizations. Our work is grounded in equity, collaboration, and community leadership.

Social planning Community development Policy analysis Social justice Advocacy Public policy Research-based solutions Community engagement
Social planning Community development Policy analysis Social justice Advocacy Public policy Research-based solutions Community engagement
Community Accountability

Leadership That Reflects the People

Social planning organizations are rooted in democratic governance. By being membership-based and governed by boards elected by the community, they ensure that decision-making remains transparent, inclusive, and directly informed by the people they serve. This structure reinforces a strong sense of responsibility to the public, allowing community members to actively participate in shaping priorities, strategies, and outcomes. It also builds trust by ensuring that leadership remains answerable to the community, not just funders or external bodies.
Empowerment

Building Confident and Capable Communities

Social planning organizations are dedicated to strengthening the capacity of individuals and communities to influence the decisions that shape their lives. By fostering leadership skills, providing education, and supporting civic participation, they help people understand and navigate democratic systems with confidence. This empowerment process enables community members — especially those from underrepresented or marginalized groups — to move from being passive recipients of policy to active agents of change, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed in meaningful ways.

Knowledge-Based Action

Turning Insight into Impact

Social planning organizations bridge the gap between research and real-life community experiences. By combining data-driven analysis with lived knowledge from residents, they develop well-informed strategies to address complex social challenges. This approach ensures that actions are not only evidence-based but also grounded in community realities, leading to more practical, sustainable, and inclusive solutions. It transforms information into tools for advocacy, planning, and measurable change.

Our Mission

The Social Planning Network of Ontario exists to strengthen the capacity of voluntary, community-based social planning organizations to:

  • Share knowledge and skills.
  • Provide a common voice to influence policy development and implementation, and
  • Improve quality of life and community well-being.
  • Promote social justice and human rights.
Citizen Participation​

Empowering Community Voices in Every Decision

Active involvement lies at the heart of effective community development. Social planning organizations encourage and empower individuals to take part in shaping the policies, services, and decisions that affect their everyday lives. By fostering opportunities for civic engagement, they help build a sense of ownership, accountability, and trust within communities. This inclusive participation ensures that change is not only top-down but also community-driven, rooted in the voices and needs of the people themselves.
Inclusiveness

All Voices, One Community

Social planning organizations are grounded in the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table. They intentionally create inclusive spaces where participation is encouraged and supported regardless of gender, race, cultural background, religion, age, ability, or personal identity. By embracing diversity in all its forms, these organizations ensure that community development efforts are enriched by a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Inclusiveness isn’t just a principle — it’s a vital strength that drives more just, balanced, and lasting social change.
Independence

Free to Speak, Focused on Change

Social planning organizations operate with the autonomy needed to question existing systems and propose bold alternatives. Unlike many public sector bodies or direct service agencies, they are community-driven and not bound by political agendas, allowing them to offer honest, critical perspectives on policies and practices. While this independence may occasionally challenge relationships with funders or institutions, it is a vital force for driving meaningful, community-focused change and ensuring accountability in public decision-making.