Mission-Oriented Merger to Increase Impact

According to an article in the San Fransico Chronicle, The Yosemite Association and The Yosemite Fund, two nonprofit organizations that provide private financial support and interpretative programs in Yosemite National Park, have decided to merge.

The Yosemite Fund, established in 1988, raises capital improvement money for projects in the park. Over the past 20 years, the fund has raised more than $55 million for 300 projects in the park. The Yosemite Association, which has headquarters just outside the park borders, has been a major player in Yosemite for years. It provides volunteers to help staff the museum in Yosemite Valley, it runs bookstores in the park, and it handles applications for wilderness permits for the park's backcountry, among other tasks.

Three things to note:

1. Mergers and partnerships are really happening! We keep hearing about the concept, but smart organizations are looking for ways to maximize their effectiveness and expand the reach and impact of their mission.
2. They have complimentary strengths. These two organizations focus on different components of work (fundraising, programs), are focused on the same "cause," and realized that they were stronger together than apart.
3. Strength squared. Both organizations have successful histories and have been around for some time. Their merger isn't about surviving, it's about moving forward! 

We believe that mergers and partnerships provide one important way for organizations to "find a better way to do more good." If you'd like to explore the possibilities for your organization, give us a call!