THE HISTORY OF INNOVATIVECOMMUNITIES.ORG FOUNDATION (ICO)

InnovativeCommunities.org Foundation was founded by John Mitchell and Bill Robson in 2005 but the organizational concepts began in 1989.  John Mitchell, a Human Resources and Organizational Design professional, developed a conceptual model of an organization focused on developing capacity to bring about social change through online and transparent platforms.  The first organization was called Human Horizons.

In 2004, John Mitchell accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors of both Community Economic Development Corporation of Victoria (CEDCO) and the Canadian Housing Research Foundation (CHRF). It was at this point that he met fellow board member Bill Robson, a real estate professional from Victoria.

CHRF, which was founded in 1998, owned two buildings in Victoria and had a mandate to advance social housing in Canada. The two buildings, Cedar Grove and Banfield House, could house a total of 46 people. CHRF pre-leased them to the Island Health (IH), who operated programs for those with mental health issues and who were either at risk of homelessness or who were already homeless. In fact, Cedar Grove was probably the first low-barrier “wet house” in BC and one of the first in North America. This designation means people could live there and benefit from support provided without giving up the use of addictive substances.

The CHRF, under the leadership of John and Bill, introduced the organizational principles that John had developed earlier, with new and open management concepts.   Bill focused on property management, and the new organization was completely staffed by volunteers. In the summer of 2005, they renamed CHRF.  A new organization emerged, modeled on the recommendations of John Mitchell’s “Future Organization” report, with the brand and internet domain name of InnovativeCommunities.Org Foundation (ICO). Overheads were slashed and ICO became an online, virtual organization, staffed and run by volunteers, with offices existing only on the Internet.

ICO achieved a positive cash flow within a year and began to actively recruit additional volunteers worldwide. These volunteers brought passion, ideas, creativity, and knowledge. This has resulted in tremendous growth in our capabilities and increased our international reach, which has benefited many more communities around the world.  Initiatives focused on the alleviation of poverty and advancement of education began Guatemala and spread to 16 countries.

ICO members unanimously passed a new Constitution in December 2008, and a new name, InnovativeCommunities.Org Foundation, was approved a few weeks later.

ICO is built on strong fiscal foundations. With a long term lease agreement with Vancouver Island Health Authority for Banfield House, the organization is able to operate and cover administration costs well into the future.