Stronger together
trusted support for non-profit mergers and collaboration
A sector in crisis
A Crucial Moment in Time for the Nonprofit Sector
We are keenly aware that many nonprofits, especially smaller ones in crowded markets, are struggling to find paths towards sustainability. Layoffs and reductions in force are rampant. Executives are burning out like never before. Many nonprofits are unable to offer compelling benefits packages and invest in employee growth and retention. With costs of living continuing to rise, the sector’s workforce is fragile.
This is a moment to re-design collaboration. Funders are stepping up in some important ways; they will be an important catalyst in advancing more collaboration and resource sharing at scale.
Through a series of meetings and convenings, a deep analysis of data, and our own direct experience with partners, we have come to realize that now is the time to be proactive about nonprofit mergers, sunsets, and collaboration at scale. We see so many organizations struggling to become sustainable given recent policy changes that negatively impact the sector at large. We also see many organizations with similar core missions competing for a limited and increasingly focused pool of funds (Giving Tuesday, anyone?). At the same time, CEOs and Executive Directors are burning out, and less resources are going towards leadership development and capacity building.
Innovation and new approaches can happen within existing backbone organizations. We need to re-invision nonprofits in a manner that best leverages their assets, minimizes duplication of efforts, and encourages collaboration at scale. We have started to see a movement of shared administrative services, physical spaces, employee benefits and the like. Lifting up these success models will inspire other organizations to pursue similar collaborations.
Nonprofits need support navigating these conundra. Boards are under a lot of stress right now (I am chairing two of them) and should not go it alone. A trusted resource is needed to help guide these existential decisions. The Blackbird Collective is that resource.