• Preserve, expand, and/or improve services
• Add to or strengthen administrative functions (e.g., human resources, finance, facilities management, IT)
• Increase visibility in the community
• Compensate for an organizational weakness or service gap
• Increase influence and/or have a stronger advocacy role
• Increase market share
• Strengthen or develop competitive advantages
• Expand or improve the board and governance

One would think the proven benefits of these strategies for nonprofits would be powerful motivators, but fear is often a barrier. Fear of losing: autonomy, identity, influence, donors. Fear of changing: original mission, culture, priorities. Fear that merger equals failure. These emotions cloud vision. Nonprofit leaders risk making decisions driven by organizational survival rather than their missions and the needs of their communities.
 
All organizations have strengths and assets! Start by assessing yours. Focus on mission and ask: What role do we play? What role do we want to play? Could we be more effective by partnering? If yes, following a tested process will respectfully surface, but overcome, emotional and other barriers. That process, and related success factors, include:

• Identify the absolutely essential, and then the desirable, criteria for a potential partner
• Clarify partner characteristics that will provide a strategic fit with your needs/goals
• Identify potential partners; ideally a few you have experience working with and trust
• Engage a neutral party (consultant) experienced with nonprofit alliances to coach you on and facilitate the negotiation process. In that process, above all, focus on what you will create together: How are we better together? The details and structure will flow from your shared vision.

There are many success stories. My New Red Shoes, through an alliance with FedEx and the State of California, partners with prisoners in Los Angeles who sew the hundreds of gift bags they use to give new clothes and supplies to Bay Area homeless children starting a new school year. Loaves and Fishes, having to relocate, is partnering with Catholic Charities to operate their soon-to-be-built community center kitchen that will bring critical services to east San Jose where hot meals for the poor are the most scarce.
 
What success story will you tell?
 

Olive Grove has a team of experienced consultants who can help you think through your collaboration, shared administrative arrangements, or full merger conversations. If you are interested in learning how Olive Grove can help you identify options and make good decisions, or if you are a funder and you believe this may be a valuable service for your grantees, please contact: