SeaChange Capital Partners to Help Facilitate Merger of Chicago Non-Profits
Nonprofit mergers are an oft-discussed strategic move toward stability and growth. Particularly, those outside the sector looking in see them as a solution to the perceived problem that there are “just too many nonprofits.” Still, undertaking a successful nonprofit merger is tricky business that requires a defined set of conditions from both organizations to ensure success.
Two Chicago-based nonprofits, Chicago Cares and WomenOnCall, having recently announced plans to merge in January, are trying to get it right. The two organizations share a mission to increase Chicago residents’ civic engagement, with slightly different approaches: Chicago Cares connects nonprofits to volunteer labor, while WomenOnCall connects legal, human resources, finance, and other professionals to skilled volunteer work at nonprofits needing functional area support. WomenOnCall will become the Skills at Work program of Chicago Cares, and its current executive director will lead that program under Chicago Cares CEO Jenne Myers.
The two groups’ merger centers on combining their hands-on and skilled volunteer networks. Much of the work will involve consolidating their massive databases, an initiative funded by Forefront and SeaChange Capital Partners, two of the few entities that support nonprofits in exploring and implementing strategic partnerships. The WomenOnCall staff will set also up shop in Chicago Cares offices, reducing expenses...