Nonprofit Mergers

It happens in for-profit business all the time, but is something of a novelty in the nonprofit world - mergers. A recent link in the Center for the Future of Museum's weekly newsletter, which I highly recommend subscribing to, revealed the trend of mergers in nonprofits, including museums. Due the economy (and really what isn't anymore?), nonprofits are still looking for ways just to stay afloat. Smaller museums merging with larger, more stable museums could be a way to keep the doors open.

Recently the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, merged with the Meadowcroft Museum, the George Westinghouse Museum and the Fort Pitt Museum. The Fort Pitt Museum reports a dramatic increase in attendance from the merger. It's easy to see how the influence of a larger museum, that has higher attendance, could reach out to its current visitors and increase the visitation at an affiliated museum.

Besides the obvious financial benefit, another benefit might include the ability to share staff. While one museum might be able to afford a conservator, another museum might not be able to, but with a merger, the museums might be able to share that conservator and even be able to hire an assistant. Another benefit would be the easy loaning of objects for exhibits. The museums might also be better prepared to plan exhibits that work in conjunction with each museum, creating a cohesive visitor experience.

The list of benefits of merging with another museum could go on and on. But what about merging with non-museum nonprofits? Would this be an effective partnership? Museums already often work with different nonprofits on exhibits, educational programming and sometimes fundraising, but a merger would be a much bigger step.

Can you think of any current museum/nonprofit mergers? What would be the ideal partnership?