When “More” Isn’t the Answer, Why Smart Mergers Matter for Not-for-Profits
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 […]
Scaling good: Navigating Change in the For-purpose Sector
I started my career in the social services of inner-city Manchester. Like many people drawn to purpose-driven work, I was motivated by the desire to help, to make things better for people who needed support. What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was how often good intentions alone aren’t enough to sustain impact. Over […]
What you think about For-Purpose mergers is all wrong
One of the reasons we see so few successful For-Purpose mergers is that there are many myths out there. Today we are “busting” those myths. Good mergers create a new, stronger identity or protect the mission and culture of both partners. Changing a brand can be risky, but a thorough stakeholder consultancy process minimises that […]
Annecto Closure: A merger is not a failure. THIS is what failure looks like…
“A merger is not a failure. A merger requires vision and selflessness. Letting down those we should be helping is a failure.” – Alex Green, Founder Loom Consulting Like many, I was amazed to see the big disability and aged care provider Annecto announce its closure at very short notice in the last few weeks. […]
“The Movement”: How two charities merged to scale their impact and push arthritis care forward
“The Movement”: How two charities merged to scale their impact and push arthritis care forward For many years Arthritis NSW and Arthritis Queensland faced the same, growing challenge (a “joint challenge”, if you will excuse the pun!): How to effectively serve the large and diverse group of people with arthritis. Both organisations had been operating […]
6 Common Merger Pitfalls and the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
6 Common Merger Pitfalls and the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM In Australia’s not-for-profit sector, mergers are increasingly seen as a strategic way to build resilience, increase impact, and respond to sector-wide pressures. Yet, while mergers offer promise, many fail to launch—or falter soon after—due to common and often avoidable pitfalls. Here, we explore the most […]
From Coffee Chats to Commitment: The Relationship Roadmap to Not-for-Profit Mergers
Remember Your Dating Days? In the for-purpose sector, the idea of a merger often arrives with a raised eyebrow. “Am I ready for this?” “What will people think?” “Where will I find ‘The One’?” “What if it doesn’t work out?” These might be questions you might have asked yourself at the start of a relationship. […]
The 6 Forces Driving For-Purpose Mergers You Need To Consider Now.
The 6 Forces Driving For-Purpose Mergers You Need To Consider Now. Summary (TLDR) Australian For-Purpose organisations are facing a confluence of factors that will drive mergers as a strategic way forward to deliver greater impact – rather than being seen as a sign of failure: Rise Of Online Service Delivery – Reducing the relevance of […]