Collaborative partnering insights featured in Stanford Social Innovation Review

The Patterson Foundation was recently featured in the Spring 2014 publication of The Standard Social Innovation Review, an award-winning magazine and website written for and by social change leaders. President and CEO Debra Jacobs and Collaborative Partnering Consultant Pam Truitt discussed why nonprofit mergers continue to lag and shared how The Patterson Foundation supports collaborative nonprofit discussions and engagements.

Despite growing support for nonprofit mergers, especially in Florida where the influx of wealthy people and baby boomers inspire socially driven second careers, there are still many emotional stumbling blocks associated with blending brands together. Jacobs shared The Patterson Foundation's model of funder support for mergers and collaborations, which includes providing an independent facilitator to walk nonprofits through a process.

As Jacobs explains in the article, timing is key in uniting organizations.

“They’re not ready for a facilitator if they just met for coffee once," she said. "They need to build trust first.”

As the relationship progresses, The Patterson Foundation encourages open communications among organizations. When the timing is appropriate, the foundation offers skilled third-party facilitation to discuss unification. The facilitator also sets clear boundaries for his or her involvement.

“It can’t just be two executive directors or two board members," she said. "If they’re going to enter into merger exploration, we require that their boards approve a resolution.”

The issues surrounding nonprofit mergers range in depth and relevance but by offering an extensive support system for nonprofit mergers, The Patterson Foundation creates an atmosphere of funder support for collaborations.

To read the complete article, please visit. http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/why_nonprofit_mergers_continue_to_lag