During severe economic challenges, nonprofits explore all possibilities for survival. Options include collaborations, partnerships and sometimes, the "m" word, merger. Mergers are usually the last choice when two organizations must consider shedding some part of their history and identities to become a new organization. And, mergers often work best when at least one of the executives is planning to or already has left their organization (it's a lot less messy).
The New York Times profiled the recently board-approved merger of the Dance Theater Workshop and the Bill T. Jonew/Arnie Zane Dance Company. A lot of details are provided in the article which makes this case particularly illustrative. The article notes that "Exactly how those two groups with different missions will mesh remains a question..." Plus, there's an added twist: both execs will continue with the new organization. Should be interesting to watch...