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Showing posts with label Merger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Merger. Show all posts
Friday, March 6, 2015
Upcoming Events & Webinars
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Theaters getting a box-office boost
$250,000 collaborative grant goes to Capital Repertory, Proctors
Proctors and Capital Repertory Theatre, which more than a year ago merged administrative operations, are the first recipients of a grant from a new local fund designed to encourage arts and cultural organizations to explore ways to work together for fiscal savings and programming synergy.
The two organizations were awarded $250,000 from the Arts & Cultural Collaborative Fund, established by The Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region. The grant will help pay for expanded ticketing and other box-office operations managed by Proctors for its own shows as well as those presented by resident groups that perform at Proctors, including The Eight Step folk series and Capital Rep's season at its Albany home. Proctors has also begun managing ticketing for smaller organizations; among the first to sign up are Schenectady Civic Players and Albany Pro Musica.
"The effectiveness of nonprofits depends on relationships with other community organizations," Karen Bilowith, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said when the grant was announced Tuesday. A news conference and panel discussion at Proctors called the Strategic Alliance Event attracted more than 60 directors, staffers and board members from Capital Region arts and cultural organizations.
Given the continuing economic strain faced by nonprofits since the worldwide financial crisis began nearly four years ago, corporations, foundations and private philanthropists are receiving unprecedented appeals for funding, said Jeffrey Stone, president of KeyBank.
"The arts have a direct impact on the health and vitality of our region," said Stone, noting that the bank was among a dozen donors that contributed to first grant from the Arts & Cultural Collaborative Fund. However, he added, given the state of the economy, innovative strategies developed jointly by cultural and other nonprofit organizations are more appealing to funding groups than simple appeals for financial relief.
Examples of savvy, effective collaborations exist across the state, said Doug Sauer, executive director of the New York Council of Nonprofits, who consulted on the Proctors-Capital Rep administrative merger.
A public television station took over and rescued a historic theater in Rochester, for example, and a vacant theater in Newburgh became a renovation project and job-training site for a nearby shelter for the homeless.
To encourage future collaborations, the Community Foundation posed a challenge to participants in Tuesday's discussion: The most innovative idea suggested at the event would win a $2,500 grant to explore ways to implement the idea. The Arts & Cultural Collaborative Fund is also encouraging grant applications for larger projects like the one undertaken by Proctors and Capital Rep.
Said Bilowith, "This is an important trend for the sustainability of our arts and cultural community and the seeds that were planted in conversations today are likely to blossom into major initiatives for the region going forward."
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Theaters-getting-a-box-office-boost-3457179.php#ixzz1r5qrqQWK
Proctors and Capital Repertory Theatre, which more than a year ago merged administrative operations, are the first recipients of a grant from a new local fund designed to encourage arts and cultural organizations to explore ways to work together for fiscal savings and programming synergy.
The two organizations were awarded $250,000 from the Arts & Cultural Collaborative Fund, established by The Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region. The grant will help pay for expanded ticketing and other box-office operations managed by Proctors for its own shows as well as those presented by resident groups that perform at Proctors, including The Eight Step folk series and Capital Rep's season at its Albany home. Proctors has also begun managing ticketing for smaller organizations; among the first to sign up are Schenectady Civic Players and Albany Pro Musica.
"The effectiveness of nonprofits depends on relationships with other community organizations," Karen Bilowith, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said when the grant was announced Tuesday. A news conference and panel discussion at Proctors called the Strategic Alliance Event attracted more than 60 directors, staffers and board members from Capital Region arts and cultural organizations.
Given the continuing economic strain faced by nonprofits since the worldwide financial crisis began nearly four years ago, corporations, foundations and private philanthropists are receiving unprecedented appeals for funding, said Jeffrey Stone, president of KeyBank.
"The arts have a direct impact on the health and vitality of our region," said Stone, noting that the bank was among a dozen donors that contributed to first grant from the Arts & Cultural Collaborative Fund. However, he added, given the state of the economy, innovative strategies developed jointly by cultural and other nonprofit organizations are more appealing to funding groups than simple appeals for financial relief.
Examples of savvy, effective collaborations exist across the state, said Doug Sauer, executive director of the New York Council of Nonprofits, who consulted on the Proctors-Capital Rep administrative merger.
A public television station took over and rescued a historic theater in Rochester, for example, and a vacant theater in Newburgh became a renovation project and job-training site for a nearby shelter for the homeless.
To encourage future collaborations, the Community Foundation posed a challenge to participants in Tuesday's discussion: The most innovative idea suggested at the event would win a $2,500 grant to explore ways to implement the idea. The Arts & Cultural Collaborative Fund is also encouraging grant applications for larger projects like the one undertaken by Proctors and Capital Rep.
Said Bilowith, "This is an important trend for the sustainability of our arts and cultural community and the seeds that were planted in conversations today are likely to blossom into major initiatives for the region going forward."
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Theaters-getting-a-box-office-boost-3457179.php#ixzz1r5qrqQWK
Capital Region Arts and Cultural Organizations Growing Stronger through Strategic Alliances
More than 60 community, philanthropic and non-profit leaders came together at Proctors' Fenimore Gallery today to participate in the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region's Strategic Alliance event.
This event celebrated and examined how the successful alliance between Proctor's and the Capital Repertory Theatre became a reality through nearly $250,000 in funding support from regional leaders, who themselves collaborated on behalf of the region's arts and cultural needs.
The event also encouraged and enabled future innovation and collaboration among non-profits through facilitated discussion with a panel of experts, along with networking and a monetary incentive for organizations to generate ideas for cooperative efforts. A $2500 cash award was made available for the best idea developed from the event, and a fund established by the Community Foundation was highlighted as a mechanism for future investments to support collaboration.
"We see many non-profits that are struggling to stay afloat, and collaboration is becoming an increasingly critical strategy to position them positively for the future," said Karen Bilowith, the Community Foundation's President & CEO. "We produced this event to open the doors for opportunity by educating, connecting organizations, and providing a framework for future funding."
Proctors and the Capital Repertory Theatre demonstrated a successful initiative that leveraged their organizational assets and community support to drive sustainable improvements in their bottom lines. "Our alliance with the Capital Repertory Theatre is an important regional example of what is possible," said Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors. "I'm delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the hard work and creative thinking that helped strengthen both of our organizations. Together with my good friend, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill (Artistic Director, Capital Repertory Theatre) we thank the community leaders that supported us and hope to inspire other non-profits to follow and enjoy similar success."
The support for this endeavor came via a grassroots team of businesses, philanthropists and family foundations who were convened by KeyBank to discuss ways they could work together on behalf of challenged arts and cultural organizations in the Capital Region. They decided to support institutions who were interested in strengthening themselves by working with other non-profits. The opportunity emerged to help Proctors grow and be able to take on the management of Capital Repertory Theatre as an important step to stabilize the struggling Albany theatre. More than a dozen donors engaged in the review of this opportunity and raised approximately $250,000 necessary to help the organizations align under a new business model. The model consolidated all key back office processes from development to marketing and finance, and leveraged a new common ticketing system that Proctors has made available for others to use.
"Arts & cultural organizations are vital to fuel creativity, enhance quality of life, and attract and retain the talent we need in our region for continued growth," noted Jeffrey Stone, President, KeyBank. "We were looking to facilitate a strong collaboration initiative to help sustain the arts," added Stone. "I'm proud of what we accomplished so far and look forward to working with the next generation of non-profits to build on this foundation."
"I left this event feeling encouraged," commented Paul Fahey, the Children's Museum of Science and Technology Board Chair and participant in Tuesday's event. "Our board and staff have been interested in this type of collaboration but wanted to learn more about the opportunities, process and pitfalls. This event really helped give us the ideas and inspiration to see what's possible and how we can make that happen with our peers in the region."
Looking forward, Karen Bilowith was excited to suggest that, "there is strong interest to continue funding this type of initiative. The Community Foundation provided the mechanism for funding these opportunities and will provide similar support for other endeavors. This is an important trend for the sustainability of our arts and cultural community and the seeds that were planted in conversations today are likely to blossom into major initiatives for the region going forward."
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION
Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region has provided an effective means for people who care about this community to be part of shaping its future. The Community Foundation offers donors a complete toolkit for charitable giving, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together.
The Community Foundation distributed more than $3 million in 2011 to hundreds of not-for-profit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond. With assets of $51 million, the Foundation is comprised of more than 340 charitable funds created by a diverse group of individuals, families, and corporations. In addition, two local independent foundations, the Bender Family Foundation and the Equinox Foundation, contract with the Community Foundation for grantmaking assistance.
Through flexible donor services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership, the Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit us online at www.cfgcr.org or call 518-446-9638.
This event celebrated and examined how the successful alliance between Proctor's and the Capital Repertory Theatre became a reality through nearly $250,000 in funding support from regional leaders, who themselves collaborated on behalf of the region's arts and cultural needs.
The event also encouraged and enabled future innovation and collaboration among non-profits through facilitated discussion with a panel of experts, along with networking and a monetary incentive for organizations to generate ideas for cooperative efforts. A $2500 cash award was made available for the best idea developed from the event, and a fund established by the Community Foundation was highlighted as a mechanism for future investments to support collaboration.
"We see many non-profits that are struggling to stay afloat, and collaboration is becoming an increasingly critical strategy to position them positively for the future," said Karen Bilowith, the Community Foundation's President & CEO. "We produced this event to open the doors for opportunity by educating, connecting organizations, and providing a framework for future funding."
Proctors and the Capital Repertory Theatre demonstrated a successful initiative that leveraged their organizational assets and community support to drive sustainable improvements in their bottom lines. "Our alliance with the Capital Repertory Theatre is an important regional example of what is possible," said Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors. "I'm delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the hard work and creative thinking that helped strengthen both of our organizations. Together with my good friend, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill (Artistic Director, Capital Repertory Theatre) we thank the community leaders that supported us and hope to inspire other non-profits to follow and enjoy similar success."
The support for this endeavor came via a grassroots team of businesses, philanthropists and family foundations who were convened by KeyBank to discuss ways they could work together on behalf of challenged arts and cultural organizations in the Capital Region. They decided to support institutions who were interested in strengthening themselves by working with other non-profits. The opportunity emerged to help Proctors grow and be able to take on the management of Capital Repertory Theatre as an important step to stabilize the struggling Albany theatre. More than a dozen donors engaged in the review of this opportunity and raised approximately $250,000 necessary to help the organizations align under a new business model. The model consolidated all key back office processes from development to marketing and finance, and leveraged a new common ticketing system that Proctors has made available for others to use.
"Arts & cultural organizations are vital to fuel creativity, enhance quality of life, and attract and retain the talent we need in our region for continued growth," noted Jeffrey Stone, President, KeyBank. "We were looking to facilitate a strong collaboration initiative to help sustain the arts," added Stone. "I'm proud of what we accomplished so far and look forward to working with the next generation of non-profits to build on this foundation."
"I left this event feeling encouraged," commented Paul Fahey, the Children's Museum of Science and Technology Board Chair and participant in Tuesday's event. "Our board and staff have been interested in this type of collaboration but wanted to learn more about the opportunities, process and pitfalls. This event really helped give us the ideas and inspiration to see what's possible and how we can make that happen with our peers in the region."
Looking forward, Karen Bilowith was excited to suggest that, "there is strong interest to continue funding this type of initiative. The Community Foundation provided the mechanism for funding these opportunities and will provide similar support for other endeavors. This is an important trend for the sustainability of our arts and cultural community and the seeds that were planted in conversations today are likely to blossom into major initiatives for the region going forward."
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION
Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region has provided an effective means for people who care about this community to be part of shaping its future. The Community Foundation offers donors a complete toolkit for charitable giving, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together.
The Community Foundation distributed more than $3 million in 2011 to hundreds of not-for-profit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond. With assets of $51 million, the Foundation is comprised of more than 340 charitable funds created by a diverse group of individuals, families, and corporations. In addition, two local independent foundations, the Bender Family Foundation and the Equinox Foundation, contract with the Community Foundation for grantmaking assistance.
Through flexible donor services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership, the Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit us online at www.cfgcr.org or call 518-446-9638.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A Major Event to Celebrate and Strengthen Arts and Cultural Organizations through Strategic Alliances: April 3
This special event will highlight one creative solution that was supported by local funders, followed by a panel presentation, a facilitated group discussion and networking lunch. Topics will include:
• Aspects of the current economic environment that may compel not-for-profit organizations
to consider strategic affiliations, shared services, and possible consolidations
• Trends, models, and best practices for strategic alliances & partnerships
• Why this model is so important to corporate and private donors, and how they can participate
Key presenters at this event include:
• Karen Bilowith, President & CEO of the Community Foundation
• Jeffrey Stone, President, KeyBank
• Doug Sauer, Executive Director, NY Council of NonProfits, Inc.
• Philip Morris, Executive Director, Proctors
• Maggie Mancinelli, Artistic Director, Capital Repertory Company
WHY SHOULD THE MEDIA ATTEND?
Your viewers and readers are strong supporters of the region's arts and cultural organizations. They know that these organizations are struggling but want to hear that they have the support of our region's leaders and donors to be positioned for future success. Beyond the arts and cultural angle, this event also focuses on the business side of non-profits.
The panel discussion and interactive forum are designed to engage and inspire other non-profits to explore collaborations, including a monetary incentive to initiate ideas and action. To that end, there is an opportunity for reporters to meet these executive directors and their board members, be there firsthand to witness new collaborations and get the inside scoop on emerging stories for future coverage.
WHO: Community, Philanthropic and Non-Profit leaders from the Greater Capital Region
WHAT: A celebration of a successful regional collaboration, panel discussions and networking to inspire and create more alliances. The event will include:
• A major donation announcement
• Presentation by community leaders and group discussion to explore and encourage more non-profit collaborations
• A monetary award opportunity for the best new idea
WHEN: Tuesday April 03, 2012 at 10:30AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: GE Theatre at Proctors
432 State Street
Schenectady, New York 12305
NOTES: This is event is being produced by
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION
Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region has provided an effective means for people who care about this community to be part of shaping its future. The Community Foundation offers donors a complete toolkit for charitable giving, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together.
The Community Foundation distributed more than $3 million in 2011 to hundreds of not-for-profit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond. With assets of $51 million, the Foundation is comprised of more than 340 charitable funds created by a diverse group of individuals, families, and corporations. In addition, two local independent foundations, the Bender Family Foundation and the Equinox Foundation, contract with the Community Foundation for grantmaking assistance.
Through flexible donor services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership, the Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit us online at www.cfgcr.org or call 518-446-9638.
• Aspects of the current economic environment that may compel not-for-profit organizations
to consider strategic affiliations, shared services, and possible consolidations
• Trends, models, and best practices for strategic alliances & partnerships
• Why this model is so important to corporate and private donors, and how they can participate
Key presenters at this event include:
• Karen Bilowith, President & CEO of the Community Foundation
• Jeffrey Stone, President, KeyBank
• Doug Sauer, Executive Director, NY Council of NonProfits, Inc.
• Philip Morris, Executive Director, Proctors
• Maggie Mancinelli, Artistic Director, Capital Repertory Company
WHY SHOULD THE MEDIA ATTEND?
Your viewers and readers are strong supporters of the region's arts and cultural organizations. They know that these organizations are struggling but want to hear that they have the support of our region's leaders and donors to be positioned for future success. Beyond the arts and cultural angle, this event also focuses on the business side of non-profits.
The panel discussion and interactive forum are designed to engage and inspire other non-profits to explore collaborations, including a monetary incentive to initiate ideas and action. To that end, there is an opportunity for reporters to meet these executive directors and their board members, be there firsthand to witness new collaborations and get the inside scoop on emerging stories for future coverage.
WHO: Community, Philanthropic and Non-Profit leaders from the Greater Capital Region
WHAT: A celebration of a successful regional collaboration, panel discussions and networking to inspire and create more alliances. The event will include:
• A major donation announcement
• Presentation by community leaders and group discussion to explore and encourage more non-profit collaborations
• A monetary award opportunity for the best new idea
WHEN: Tuesday April 03, 2012 at 10:30AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: GE Theatre at Proctors
432 State Street
Schenectady, New York 12305
NOTES: This is event is being produced by
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION
Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region has provided an effective means for people who care about this community to be part of shaping its future. The Community Foundation offers donors a complete toolkit for charitable giving, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together.
The Community Foundation distributed more than $3 million in 2011 to hundreds of not-for-profit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond. With assets of $51 million, the Foundation is comprised of more than 340 charitable funds created by a diverse group of individuals, families, and corporations. In addition, two local independent foundations, the Bender Family Foundation and the Equinox Foundation, contract with the Community Foundation for grantmaking assistance.
Through flexible donor services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership, the Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit us online at www.cfgcr.org or call 518-446-9638.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
FULTON COUNTY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSS POSSIBLE AFFILIATION
Boards of Directors come together to investigate joining forces; retain facilitation and legal assistance
Amsterdam, NY and Gloversville, NY–The Boards of Directors of the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce announced today that they are in the process of investigating the possibility of a merger/affiliation of the two Chambers of Commerce. They also announced that to move the process forward, they have retained the services of facilitation and legal assistance from the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
“With the departure of both Executives of the Chambers (former Presidents Deb Auspelmyer and Wally Hart), we thought it a great time to look at the possibility of joining forces,” said Chuck Schwartz, Chair, Montgomery County Chamber Board of Directors. “We always want to be proactive for our members in looking at ways to maximize their Chamber membership.”
“There is definitely strength in numbers,” said Mark Finkle, Chair, Fulton County Chamber Board of Directors, “and with an affiliation with Montgomery County, our business communities become a much stronger voice in our region, in Albany, and even in Washington, DC.”
Both Chambers’ Boards of Directors have appointed from their membership an Affiliation Task Force; in Fulton County the Task Force members are Mark Finkle (Stevenson Distributing, LLC), Terri Easterly (Coldwell Banker-Arlene M. Sitterly), Amy Karas (Ruby & Quiri), Jim Landrio (Holiday Inn of Johnstown-Gloversville), Larry Raike (WalMart DC #6096), Diana Marshall (Gloversville Sewing Center) and as a non-voting member Terry Swierzowski, the Chamber’s Interim President. From the Montgomery County Chamber, the Task Force is comprised of Brennen Parker (Rose & Kiernan), Vic Giulianelli (St. Mary’s Healthcare), Lesley Lanzi (FMCC), Judy Phetteplace (Judith Ann Realty), Mike Decker (Liberty Enterprises), Kevin McClary (Amsterdam Recorder), and the Chamber’s Interim President Peter Capobianco, who is a non-voting member.
The issue of affiliation will be discussed at both Chambers’ Annual Dinner Meetings which are scheduled for Thursday, January 19 for the Fulton County Chamber at the Holiday Inn of Johnstown-Gloversville and for the Montgomery County Chamber on Friday, January 27 at the River Stone Manor in Scotia. Members of both Affiliation Task Forces will be at both events to elicit discussion about the issue from members in attendance. In addition, both Chambers will hold informational sessions about the possible affiliation. These will be scheduled for after the Annual Dinner meetings.
The next steps in the Affiliation process: The Affiliation Task Force will pursue a Due Diligence Analysis of a wide variety of corporate documents, budgets, program operations and all the internal controls in both Chambers to determine the best structural manner to affiliate, making the same recommendation to the respective Boards of Directors, who will then seek the permissions of their respective Memberships to formalize the affiliation in the Spring of 2012. The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. will facilitate the same and file the required documents with the New York State Department of State after the formal action of the two Memberships.
Amsterdam, NY and Gloversville, NY–The Boards of Directors of the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce announced today that they are in the process of investigating the possibility of a merger/affiliation of the two Chambers of Commerce. They also announced that to move the process forward, they have retained the services of facilitation and legal assistance from the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
“With the departure of both Executives of the Chambers (former Presidents Deb Auspelmyer and Wally Hart), we thought it a great time to look at the possibility of joining forces,” said Chuck Schwartz, Chair, Montgomery County Chamber Board of Directors. “We always want to be proactive for our members in looking at ways to maximize their Chamber membership.”
“There is definitely strength in numbers,” said Mark Finkle, Chair, Fulton County Chamber Board of Directors, “and with an affiliation with Montgomery County, our business communities become a much stronger voice in our region, in Albany, and even in Washington, DC.”
Both Chambers’ Boards of Directors have appointed from their membership an Affiliation Task Force; in Fulton County the Task Force members are Mark Finkle (Stevenson Distributing, LLC), Terri Easterly (Coldwell Banker-Arlene M. Sitterly), Amy Karas (Ruby & Quiri), Jim Landrio (Holiday Inn of Johnstown-Gloversville), Larry Raike (WalMart DC #6096), Diana Marshall (Gloversville Sewing Center) and as a non-voting member Terry Swierzowski, the Chamber’s Interim President. From the Montgomery County Chamber, the Task Force is comprised of Brennen Parker (Rose & Kiernan), Vic Giulianelli (St. Mary’s Healthcare), Lesley Lanzi (FMCC), Judy Phetteplace (Judith Ann Realty), Mike Decker (Liberty Enterprises), Kevin McClary (Amsterdam Recorder), and the Chamber’s Interim President Peter Capobianco, who is a non-voting member.
The issue of affiliation will be discussed at both Chambers’ Annual Dinner Meetings which are scheduled for Thursday, January 19 for the Fulton County Chamber at the Holiday Inn of Johnstown-Gloversville and for the Montgomery County Chamber on Friday, January 27 at the River Stone Manor in Scotia. Members of both Affiliation Task Forces will be at both events to elicit discussion about the issue from members in attendance. In addition, both Chambers will hold informational sessions about the possible affiliation. These will be scheduled for after the Annual Dinner meetings.
The next steps in the Affiliation process: The Affiliation Task Force will pursue a Due Diligence Analysis of a wide variety of corporate documents, budgets, program operations and all the internal controls in both Chambers to determine the best structural manner to affiliate, making the same recommendation to the respective Boards of Directors, who will then seek the permissions of their respective Memberships to formalize the affiliation in the Spring of 2012. The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. will facilitate the same and file the required documents with the New York State Department of State after the formal action of the two Memberships.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Albany’s Equinox, ClearView to merge
The Business Review reported that Equinox Inc. and ClearView Center Inc. are merging into a single organization that will take on the Equinox name.
The merger will combine the services of the Albany, New York, nonprofits under a single umbrella, a measure that will make it easier for clients who access assistance from both organizations, or transition from one program to another.
The organizations will use a $300,000 grant from the New York State Health Foundation to execute the merger, expected to be finalized by Jan. 1, 2012.
ClearView Center’s executive director, Dorothy Cucinelli, will head the combined agency. Kathleen Tanner, executive director of Equinox, will assist in the transition.
The two organizations offer related services. Equinox’s services include residential programs for homeless youth and victims of domestic violence, counseling, advocacy, outreach and prevention programs, and delivers thousands of Thanksgiving meals each year for disadvantaged families. ClearView serves people with mental illness.
“We think that being under one roof will be more seamless for our clients,” Cucinelli said.
Both organizations are fiscally sound, she said. Each operates with an annual budget of about $5.5 million, and each employs a little more than 100 people. Once the merger is complete, the new entity will operate with a combined $11 million annual budget. No jobs will be lost, Cucinelli said.
“This is not a situation where one is taking over another that is in trouble,” she said.
The new entity will continue to operate ClearView’s eight locations and Equinox’s four locations. It hasn’t been determined yet where the headquarters will be located. Currently, ClearView’s main offices are at 500 Central Ave.; Equinox’s are at 95 Central Ave.
The merger will combine the services of the Albany, New York, nonprofits under a single umbrella, a measure that will make it easier for clients who access assistance from both organizations, or transition from one program to another.
The organizations will use a $300,000 grant from the New York State Health Foundation to execute the merger, expected to be finalized by Jan. 1, 2012.
ClearView Center’s executive director, Dorothy Cucinelli, will head the combined agency. Kathleen Tanner, executive director of Equinox, will assist in the transition.
The two organizations offer related services. Equinox’s services include residential programs for homeless youth and victims of domestic violence, counseling, advocacy, outreach and prevention programs, and delivers thousands of Thanksgiving meals each year for disadvantaged families. ClearView serves people with mental illness.
“We think that being under one roof will be more seamless for our clients,” Cucinelli said.
Both organizations are fiscally sound, she said. Each operates with an annual budget of about $5.5 million, and each employs a little more than 100 people. Once the merger is complete, the new entity will operate with a combined $11 million annual budget. No jobs will be lost, Cucinelli said.
“This is not a situation where one is taking over another that is in trouble,” she said.
The new entity will continue to operate ClearView’s eight locations and Equinox’s four locations. It hasn’t been determined yet where the headquarters will be located. Currently, ClearView’s main offices are at 500 Central Ave.; Equinox’s are at 95 Central Ave.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
MuseumWise and Museum Association of NY (MANY) Explore Merger
Thinking creatively towards envisioning a new model of service, as with all significant endeavors we started with an idea and now bring it into being with a plan. A primary goal of this investigation has been to create an open process, establishing a conduit for sharing information with and receiving evaluation from our constituencies. To that end, please enjoy this second installment of our Museumwise - MANY membership communiqué, which will bring you up-to-date as to our progress over the last few months.
Working in partnership, Museumwise & MANY have made great strides towards reaching several of our initial milestones of conducting organizational assessments of the two organizations, planning the first of two facilitated meetings of both boards and staff, and developing a stakeholder engagement strategy. Keep an eye on your inboxes, because our next round of messaging will include a link to our membership survey to gather your thoughts about consolidation and what a new model of service may look like for you.
Our next significant milestone will be the first joint meeting of the boards on July 18th in Albany. Led by our facilitator Scott Sears, this will be an opportunity for the Museumwise and MANY boards to sit down together to get acquainted with the vision, value and service of each other's organization and to begin envisioning the qualities of and defining the outcome criteria for a blended organization. The rapport developed among the T7 planning committee has set the stage for a progressive and productive session with the two boards. As a launching point for these discussions, the T7 compiled an organizational assessment document placing Museumwise's and MANY's services, programs and future interests side by side to establish similarities between and distinctiveness of the two organizations.
One of the activities on July 18th will be the creation of a 'shared history' - a timeline of trends and events that have defined the New York State museum community and Museumwise's and MANY's histories over the last 10+ years. Can you help us flesh this history out?
Please share with us your thoughts about the trends and events that have defined each organization and our collective professional community by sending them along to Catherine director@museumwise.org and Anne info@manyonline.org.
Thanks in advance for your replies -
Best regards,
Catherine Anne
Catherine Gilbert, Anne Ackerson,
Executive Director Director
Museumwise Museum Association of New York
Working in partnership, Museumwise & MANY have made great strides towards reaching several of our initial milestones of conducting organizational assessments of the two organizations, planning the first of two facilitated meetings of both boards and staff, and developing a stakeholder engagement strategy. Keep an eye on your inboxes, because our next round of messaging will include a link to our membership survey to gather your thoughts about consolidation and what a new model of service may look like for you.
Our next significant milestone will be the first joint meeting of the boards on July 18th in Albany. Led by our facilitator Scott Sears, this will be an opportunity for the Museumwise and MANY boards to sit down together to get acquainted with the vision, value and service of each other's organization and to begin envisioning the qualities of and defining the outcome criteria for a blended organization. The rapport developed among the T7 planning committee has set the stage for a progressive and productive session with the two boards. As a launching point for these discussions, the T7 compiled an organizational assessment document placing Museumwise's and MANY's services, programs and future interests side by side to establish similarities between and distinctiveness of the two organizations.
One of the activities on July 18th will be the creation of a 'shared history' - a timeline of trends and events that have defined the New York State museum community and Museumwise's and MANY's histories over the last 10+ years. Can you help us flesh this history out?
Please share with us your thoughts about the trends and events that have defined each organization and our collective professional community by sending them along to Catherine director@museumwise.org and Anne info@manyonline.org.
Thanks in advance for your replies -
Best regards,
Catherine Anne
Catherine Gilbert, Anne Ackerson,
Executive Director Director
Museumwise Museum Association of New York
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Museumwise & MANY investigate a joint service model
The Museumwise & MANY boards have agreed to pursue an investigation into the blending of our two organizations. To continue to enhance our impact on New York's museum community, we recognized the need to think creatively towards envisioning a new model of service. The goal of our collaborative investigations is to identify the most appropriate model for both organizations to best serve their members and the cultural community. A second but equally import goal is its potential to serve as a model for other organizations should they choose to pursue this form of creative exploration and envisioning. Member and stakeholder input are a top priority to both Museumwise and MANY. The development of an open, comprehensive and balanced conduit for member and stakeholder participation is recognized as an integral element in this venture. We will be coming to you for your ideas and feedback once our communication plan is more clearly defined. Best regards, Catherine ************************************************ Catherine Gilbert, Executive Director Museumwise 11 Ford Avenue Oneonta, NY 13820 800-895-1648 director@museumwise.org http://www.museumwise.org/ http://www.museumsinconversation.org/
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Come Together? Right Now? A Discussion of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
The blog, Done by People, by Joe Brown, Principal and Founder of Slope Resources, LLC, offered the following recap of the "A Conversation with NYS Comptroller Thomas P. Di Napoli and Panel Discussion on Strategic Alliances & Partnerships."
On Monday, I had the opportunity to attend a highly informative and engaging forum which brought together government and nonprofit representatives to discuss the topic of strategic alliances and partnerships among nonprofit organizations. While the discussion focused on New York State’s nonprofit sector, the challenges, considerations, and ideas discussed are applicable to organizations nationwide. In the absence of a video or audio recording of the session, I wanted to share this detailed recap and my impressions of the session.
The event was sponsored by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) and held at the headquarters of New York State United Teachers (very nice digs, by the way) in Latham, New York, a few miles northeast of Albany.
Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, presided over the session. The approximately 75 attendees included representatives of various nonprofits, including arts, cultural, health, and human services organizations, as well as a number of funders and consultants (including yours truly). Following Ms. Bilowith’s welcoming comments, New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez provided brief opening remarks. Ms. Cortés-Vázquez assured the attendees that “most in government” recognize the importance of the nonprofit sector and rules and regulations pertaining to the sector should not be so onerous as to provide disincentives for staff, board members, and volunteers to participate.
I’m from the government, and…
Ms. Cortés-Vázquez then introduced the session’s keynote speaker, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The Office of the State Comptroller has responsibility for the review, approval, and payment of the state’s contracts with nonprofit organizations. Mr. DiNapoli noted the importance of the nonprofit sector to the state and its economy, citing 2006 statistics that the state’s approximately 24,000 nonprofits reported revenue of $133 billion and employed nearly 1.2 million people, or 17% of the state’s workforce. He quantified the state’s contractual bonds with the sector as consisting of nearly 31,000 active contracts totaling $14.6 billion, as of June 2009. Read more here.
The balance of the session was devoted to presentations and discussion by a panel consisting of:
■Doug Sauer, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) since 1980. NYCON’s membership represents approximately 1,600 charitable nonprofit organizations across New York State.
■Cristine Cioffi, who is a partner in the law firm of Cioffi • Slezak • Wildgrube P.C., but spoke primarily in her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Ellis Medicine, an organization which resulted from the recent merger of three nonprofit hospitals in Schenectady County.
■David W. Palmquist, who as Manager of the New York State Museum’s Chartering Program, oversees the chartering of museums, historical societies, and similar cultural organizations with educational purposes across the state.
The panelists responded to questions posed by Ms. Bilowith, as well as several questions from audience members.
Doug Sauer
While all three of the panelists presented interesting perspectives on the potential of various collaborative models for nonprofit organizations, I was particularly impressed by Mr. Sauer’s insight and candor on a number of fronts. Early in his presentation, he discussed the recent proliferation of nonprofits, describing the creation of thousands of new organizations each year, many of which are not active, and the resultant saturated environment. (I was reminded of a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which noted that the number of nonprofit organizations nationwide has increased by 90% to 1.2 million since 1996). Read more here.
On Monday, I had the opportunity to attend a highly informative and engaging forum which brought together government and nonprofit representatives to discuss the topic of strategic alliances and partnerships among nonprofit organizations. While the discussion focused on New York State’s nonprofit sector, the challenges, considerations, and ideas discussed are applicable to organizations nationwide. In the absence of a video or audio recording of the session, I wanted to share this detailed recap and my impressions of the session.
The event was sponsored by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) and held at the headquarters of New York State United Teachers (very nice digs, by the way) in Latham, New York, a few miles northeast of Albany.
Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, presided over the session. The approximately 75 attendees included representatives of various nonprofits, including arts, cultural, health, and human services organizations, as well as a number of funders and consultants (including yours truly). Following Ms. Bilowith’s welcoming comments, New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez provided brief opening remarks. Ms. Cortés-Vázquez assured the attendees that “most in government” recognize the importance of the nonprofit sector and rules and regulations pertaining to the sector should not be so onerous as to provide disincentives for staff, board members, and volunteers to participate.
I’m from the government, and…
Ms. Cortés-Vázquez then introduced the session’s keynote speaker, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The Office of the State Comptroller has responsibility for the review, approval, and payment of the state’s contracts with nonprofit organizations. Mr. DiNapoli noted the importance of the nonprofit sector to the state and its economy, citing 2006 statistics that the state’s approximately 24,000 nonprofits reported revenue of $133 billion and employed nearly 1.2 million people, or 17% of the state’s workforce. He quantified the state’s contractual bonds with the sector as consisting of nearly 31,000 active contracts totaling $14.6 billion, as of June 2009. Read more here.
The balance of the session was devoted to presentations and discussion by a panel consisting of:
■Doug Sauer, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) since 1980. NYCON’s membership represents approximately 1,600 charitable nonprofit organizations across New York State.
■Cristine Cioffi, who is a partner in the law firm of Cioffi • Slezak • Wildgrube P.C., but spoke primarily in her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Ellis Medicine, an organization which resulted from the recent merger of three nonprofit hospitals in Schenectady County.
■David W. Palmquist, who as Manager of the New York State Museum’s Chartering Program, oversees the chartering of museums, historical societies, and similar cultural organizations with educational purposes across the state.
The panelists responded to questions posed by Ms. Bilowith, as well as several questions from audience members.
Doug Sauer
While all three of the panelists presented interesting perspectives on the potential of various collaborative models for nonprofit organizations, I was particularly impressed by Mr. Sauer’s insight and candor on a number of fronts. Early in his presentation, he discussed the recent proliferation of nonprofits, describing the creation of thousands of new organizations each year, many of which are not active, and the resultant saturated environment. (I was reminded of a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which noted that the number of nonprofit organizations nationwide has increased by 90% to 1.2 million since 1996). Read more here.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Recession Forces Non-Profits To Merge, Close: WSJ
NPR's The Two-Way blog featured a recent post by Frank James about an article in the Wall Street Journal discussing how the victims of the recession have been non-profit groups, many of which has as their mission helping, among others, victims of the recession.
The Wall Street Journal reports that non-profits that relied on the kindness of strangers in order to house the homeless, feed the hungry or provide educational opportunities for low-income students have themselves fallen on hard times.
The post goes on to relate that the WSJ reports that the positive development is that weak nonprofits are closing their doors, while other nonprofits are merging. Read more here.
Although many have their own reactions to this WSJ article and the NPR post, mergers and collaborations are an important option for nonprofits to consider, and more and more organizations are doing so. Have questions about mergers, or how your nonprofit can receive information and assistance? Visit the NY Council of Nonprofits or e-mail us.
The Wall Street Journal reports that non-profits that relied on the kindness of strangers in order to house the homeless, feed the hungry or provide educational opportunities for low-income students have themselves fallen on hard times.
The post goes on to relate that the WSJ reports that the positive development is that weak nonprofits are closing their doors, while other nonprofits are merging. Read more here.
Although many have their own reactions to this WSJ article and the NPR post, mergers and collaborations are an important option for nonprofits to consider, and more and more organizations are doing so. Have questions about mergers, or how your nonprofit can receive information and assistance? Visit the NY Council of Nonprofits or e-mail us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Paterson wants to merge economic-development agencies
The Albany Business Review reported that Empire State Development Corp. (ESD) and the New York State Department of Economic Development would combine operations under a plan the governor's office announced today.
It's one of seven ideas for state agency mergers included in Gov. David Paterson's 2010-2011 state budget. The moves would result in total annual savings of nearly $15 million, according to the governor's office. Read more here.
It's one of seven ideas for state agency mergers included in Gov. David Paterson's 2010-2011 state budget. The moves would result in total annual savings of nearly $15 million, according to the governor's office. Read more here.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Breakfast Roundtable on Mergers Scheduled
Please Join Us For...
"Mergers:
Everything You Wanted to Know
but were Afraid to Ask!"
A breakfast roundtable with two Executives who have a wealth of experience managing the merger process. Join us for an informal discussion with Robert Stevens, Executive Director of Literacy New York Greater Capital Region and Ann DiSaro, Former Executive Director, Albany Senior Services & Owner, Ann DiSarro Consulting
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
8:00am to 9:30am
Host: Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar
Washington Avenue Extension
Pine West Plaza, Building 3
Albany, New York 12205
This is our version of a "brown bag breakfast." Please bring your own refreshments and be prepared to engage in a lively discussion about nonprofit mergers from an Executive Director's perspective.
"Mergers:
Everything You Wanted to Know
but were Afraid to Ask!"
A breakfast roundtable with two Executives who have a wealth of experience managing the merger process. Join us for an informal discussion with Robert Stevens, Executive Director of Literacy New York Greater Capital Region and Ann DiSaro, Former Executive Director, Albany Senior Services & Owner, Ann DiSarro Consulting
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
8:00am to 9:30am
Host: Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar
Washington Avenue Extension
Pine West Plaza, Building 3
Albany, New York 12205
This is our version of a "brown bag breakfast." Please bring your own refreshments and be prepared to engage in a lively discussion about nonprofit mergers from an Executive Director's perspective.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Survey: Nonprofit Mergers, Sales Not On The Table
The Nonprofit Times reported on a recent Nonprofit Finance Fund survey that related very few organizations are even considering mergers or selling assets. Instead, nonprofits are more likely to develop worst-case scenario contingency budgets and engage more closely with their board.
Nearly half of respondents (48 percent) said they would freeze all hires and current salaries or have funder conversations to explain the situation and/or use of currently restricted grants to “keep their doors open in difficult times.” Only 4 percent called it “business as usual” and plan no change.
Asked what type of technical assistance would be helpful to their organizations, respondents most wanted “tools to communicate financial picture to the board and/or funders” and “financial scenario planning” with some also looking for assistance analyzing their current financial situation or program finance analytics.
About 16 percent anticipate being able to cover operating expenses in both 2009 and 2010. More than half expect the recession to have a long-term (more than two years) or permanent negative financial effect on their organizations. Read the full article here.
Nearly half of respondents (48 percent) said they would freeze all hires and current salaries or have funder conversations to explain the situation and/or use of currently restricted grants to “keep their doors open in difficult times.” Only 4 percent called it “business as usual” and plan no change.
Asked what type of technical assistance would be helpful to their organizations, respondents most wanted “tools to communicate financial picture to the board and/or funders” and “financial scenario planning” with some also looking for assistance analyzing their current financial situation or program finance analytics.
About 16 percent anticipate being able to cover operating expenses in both 2009 and 2010. More than half expect the recession to have a long-term (more than two years) or permanent negative financial effect on their organizations. Read the full article here.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Adirondack advocacy groups are merging
WCAX.com reported that two nonprofit groups that advocate to protect the Adirondack Mountains have agreed to merge in an effort to create a single, more influential organization.
The Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, formed in 1990, and the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, founded in 1901, will form an organization called Protect The Adirondacks!
The vote by members of each group followed months of talks. The organization will have administrative offices in Niskayuna, near Albany, and membership headquarters in Saranac Lake in the central Adirondacks.
The Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, formed in 1990, and the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, founded in 1901, will form an organization called Protect The Adirondacks!
The vote by members of each group followed months of talks. The organization will have administrative offices in Niskayuna, near Albany, and membership headquarters in Saranac Lake in the central Adirondacks.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Literacy nonprofits merge
The Business Review reported that the Literacy Volunteers of America-Mohawk/Hudson and Literacy NENY announced that the two groups will merge into a new entity, Literacy New York Greater Capital Region.
Talks of joining the Colonie- and Saratoga Springs-based nonprofit organizations started 18 months ago, said Robert Stevens, the new organization’s executive director and CEO. Stevens is the former executive director of Literacy Volunteers of America—Mohawk/Hudson.
The literacy program helps people—mainly adults—improve their reading, writing, math and English fluency skills. The new organization will cover Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.
Stevens expects the merger will streamline operations, allowing the group to serve more students.
The recession also aided the decision, as state aid for the groups is down 24 percent from last year. The alliance will operate on a $600,00 budget, the combined budgets of both groups. Read the article here.
Talks of joining the Colonie- and Saratoga Springs-based nonprofit organizations started 18 months ago, said Robert Stevens, the new organization’s executive director and CEO. Stevens is the former executive director of Literacy Volunteers of America—Mohawk/Hudson.
The literacy program helps people—mainly adults—improve their reading, writing, math and English fluency skills. The new organization will cover Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.
Stevens expects the merger will streamline operations, allowing the group to serve more students.
The recession also aided the decision, as state aid for the groups is down 24 percent from last year. The alliance will operate on a $600,00 budget, the combined budgets of both groups. Read the article here.
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