AnchorTO is a network of government and public sector organizations, postsecondary institutions and community builders (anchor institutions) committed to using their procurement spending in ways that fulfill social, economic and workforce development goals and drive impact in local communities. Convened by the City of Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Office, AnchorTO’s work began in 2015 and consisted of 16 anchor institutions across the city. The network has now grown to 18 member institutions.

The priorities and goals of AnchorTO are set by the member institutions and are values-aligned but functionally distinct from the City of Toronto’s Purchasing and Material Management Division and Community Benefits policies. We are focussed on growing social procurement supports and initiatives, creating an inclusive workforce and increasing capital investment in community development. Our activities include investment in community assets, the creation of employment and training opportunities and procurement from community-based and diverse suppliers. Working together, we convene stakeholders, steward large-scale community-based initiatives and shift policy across the inclusive community economic development sector to support our activities.

To date, AnchorTO has supported the network Through