Most nonprofits live and work within rich ecosystems of peer organizations in which opportunities for collaboration regularly present themselves. Mergers are just one among many relationships that can be explored in the course of investigating solutions for a business model that may no longer be working. However, because the language of mergers often looms large in public forums, conversations at the board level and with funders can tend to revert to this one solution amongst many available options. In this session, we will explore research on the costs/benefits of nonprofit mergers, key elements for successful completion, and highlight alternative options in cases where a merger was initially considered but ultimately determined not to be the optimal course of action.  Among other things, participants will learn:

• What collaborative relationships nonprofits are most commonly exploring in 2026—and why
• Frameworks for matching collaborative arrangements to challenges common during this period of retrenchment
• The most common deal breakers for longer-term collaborations of various kinds

The information provided in this workshop is for general guidance and is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for any audit, advisory, tax, or other professional advice, consultation, or service tailored to your specific needs. BDO disclaims all warranties, either express or implied. By participating in this workshop, attendees waive all right to make any claims against or seek damages from BDO arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on the information provided by BDO during the workshop.