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Across the country, many non-profit organizations are looking more seriously at various ways of working more closely together, including mergers. Much of this has to do with increasing concerns about non-profit organizational sustainability; and, hence, also program viability.
There are several reasons for this trend, including:
- Pressures from funders and donors
- Increased complexities in managing and governing a non-profit organization
- Declining funds from traditional sources such as governments, United Ways, and foundations
- Increased competition among non-profit organizations for contracts, funds, volunteers, Board members, and staff
- Increased expectations from clients and communities with no new resources.
Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Clubs face the same pressures in small, medium, and large communities.
In small communities, the question might be: "How can we justify two non-profit organizations meeting the needs of children aged 6 - 16?". In larger communities, the questions are perhaps less blunt, for example: "Could you not do more together for children and young people, and save funds on administration, by working together?" No matter how the questions are asked, they are being asked more frequently by managers, Board members, government contractors, funders, donors, community leaders, and business leaders.
The questions cannot be avoided, even if the eventual answer is to stay independent and separate.
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