Evaluate the true costs of a merger in three phases

“The benefits of mergers are what motivate organizations to consider this option, but the costs are not always clear at the outset,” explains Thomas McLaughlin, author of Nonprofit Mergers & Alliances and director of consulting services for the Nonprofit Finance Fund herunterladen.

Unfortunately, many nonprofits struggle to overcome internal nuances that make organizations susceptible to external economic factors. That’s why mergers and alliances have become a popular alternative to consider for many stumbling nonprofits dropbox voor pc downloaden.

Three areas where you can scrutinize potential costs

McLaughlin cautions you to thoroughly evaluate the weighty task of mergers iphone lieder downloaden. Fortunately, unlike the corporate world, nonprofits can openly examine the pros and cons without the legal risks of leaking publicly-held company information instagram logo kostenlos.

He recommends analyzing the true costs of a nonprofit merger in three phases:

Feasibility determination

Implementation planning

Integration

Cost considerations in Phase One, Two and Three

In McLaughlin’s article, “The Cost of a Merger,” he explains anticipated expenses and typical areas of change in each of the three stages adobe rechnungen downloaden.

In Phase One, leaders learn as much as they can about the other organization—especially quantifiable considerations herunterladen. Costs associated with this phase come from facilitation and research. Nonprofits that attempt to do this in-house or on their own risk spotty results zoom.us. Outside help is advisable.

Costs during Phase Two are greater but manageable. This phase is still greatly dependent on staff and board time. At this point, consultants who facilitate and support the process are the largest expenditure herunterladen.

Phase Three, or integration, represents the biggest expense area. You will find expenses and revenue dramatically change during this time.

McLaughlin identifies the most typical areas of the greatest financial change:

Common grants and federal funding (funders can unknowingly undercut mergers by combining two grants into one smaller one)

Government contracts (newly merged organizations may have to re-bid)

Employee compensation (mergers can prompt turnover in management)

Employee benefits (mergers can combine two benefit levels)

Occupancy costs (mergers generally reduce space and sell off surplus)

Information technology (opportunities exist to reduce costs here)

Contractual services (mergers present the chance to re-examine and/or reduce contracts) virus protection program for free.

Be sure to enlist expertise in forecasting thorough and expertly produced financial scenarios for potential mergers. Use the board and staff collectively to weigh in on all the monetary nuances herunterladen. Make a commitment to understand every budget line and financial aspect of your own organization and your potential partner. Discuss with your partner how each of you envisions blending costs and efficiencies. Most importantly, consider worst and best case scenarios for integration.

As many reports and articles on this merger topic indicate, nonprofit alliances don’t generally produce immediate savings. Mergers generally cost more in the beginning but promise greater savings in the long run. Mergers are not for the faint of heart—though nonprofits willing to make the leap have far greater long-term potential than they do alone.

See also:

Nonprofit Mergers & Alliances

The Power of Collaborative Solutions

The Zone of Insolvency

Image credits: millercares.com, wiley.com

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