We talk a lot about growth in the not-for-profit sector. Fundraising targets. Program scale. Service reach.
But what if growth isn’t always about doing more, but doing better together?
In the recent Hall & Wilcox Smarter Lawcast episode “Mergers for Not-for-Profits: What You Need to Know”, Nathan Kennedy, Alison Choy Flannigan, and I took a hard look at why organisations merge, when it makes sense, and how leaders can navigate the real-world risks and decisions that come with it.
Here are the truths too many boards sidestep:
1) Mergers aren’t a “rescue”, they’re a response
Regulatory pressures, funding shifts, and leadership transitions are common triggers. But a merger isn’t the default fix for every squeeze. It’s a strategic response when continuing solo risks mission drift or instability.
2) Timing, trust, and shared purpose must lead
Too often, governance conversations start at the wrong end: lawyers, due diligence, deal mechanics. The episode reminded us that boards need clarity around why a partnership matters, not just what it looks like on paper.
3) Real mergers are messy
There’s no neat roadmap. Successful mergers need deep organisational self-knowledge, honest conversations about culture and service models, and clear decision points defined up front.
4) Boards need to lead early
Too many boards wait until the last minute to get serious about a possible merger. That’s backwards. Governance leadership before merger exploration creates the conditions for good decisions, not rushed ones.
"When a merger preserves purpose better than the status quo, it deserves a thoughtful hearing, not a reflexive 'no.'"
This isn’t about consolidation for consolidation’s sake. It’s about sustainability, resilience, and honouring the very reason the organisation exists in the first place. When a merger preserves purpose better than the status quo, it deserves a thoughtful hearing, not a reflexive “no.”
Have you tested your organisation against the core questions this episode surfaces? If not, that’s the right place to start.
References & Further Listening
- Podcast:{" "} Hall & Wilcox Smarter Lawcast: Mergers for Not-for-Profits — What You Need to Know
- LinkedIn:{" "} Read and discuss on LinkedIn
