NEW YORK, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- More U.S non-profit organizations are considering mergers, The New York Times reported Saturday.
"This is a trend that is going to accelerate," Walt Shill, a management consultant at Accenture, told the newspaper. "Donors are becoming more like investors and expecting a greater return on their non-profit investments, and many people on non-profit boards have been through for-profit mergers and see the benefits."
More charities are competing for the same pool of contributions. Some groups see merger with similar ones as a way to avoid duplicating services.
Accenture recently took on its first non-profit merger, between the Hands on Network and the Points of Light Foundation. The combined group is the Points of Light and Hands on Network, showing that charities are averse to submerging their names, the newspaper said.
The Humane Society of the United States has carried out partial mergers with the Doris Day Animal League and the Fund for Animals since 2004. Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle said the larger group has the "brand awareness and muscle" needed to advocate for reforms.
