Mergers Can Save Nonprofits. Here’s How to Get One Right.
A practical guide to knowing when a merger makes sense, finding the right partner, and navigating the road ahead together.
May 20, 2026 | Read Time: 1 minute
Nonprofit leaders are navigating the toughest fundraising terrain in years: Federal funding cuts, steep competition for grants, and donor fatigue are straining budgets across the sector. For organizations struggling to sustain programs, a merger with the right partner could make the road ahead easier.
Yet many nonprofit leaders resist the idea, associating mergers with failure or loss of identity. The reality is more nuanced. Funders are increasingly encouraging — and even funding — mergers between grantees, and a growing ecosystem of consultants and matchmakers has emerged to help organizations through the process.
“There’s an element of relief to just open up the possibility that they don’t need to keep all the plates spinning on their own in what is objectively a very challenging funding environment,” says Margot Brandenburg, senior program officer at the Ford Foundation, describing the reaction among grantees that have merged.
Here’s a roundup of articles that explain why funders are backing mergers, how to evaluate whether one makes sense for your organization, and what to know before you start the process.
Editor’s note: Chronicle playbooks are updated on an ongoing basis as new advice becomes available.
Some Funders Want Nonprofits to Merge
If done right, mergers can strengthen finances and boost impact. But there are costs, and egos, to navigate.
When Does It Make Sense to Merge?
At the Independent Sector National Summit in Atlanta, nonprofit mergers were a hot topic. Experts shared best practices.
Matchmakers Help Charities Find Merger Partners
The threats facing charities have created high demand for intermediaries that can help organizations figure out survival strategies, including mergers.
Mergers Have Become a Lifeline for Nonprofits. Will Foundations Help Cover the Costs?
Charities are looking for strategic partners to survive a rough 2025, and they hope foundations — which have long pushed for consolidation — will help…
6 Proven Ways to Capture Grants That Increase Capacity
Foundation leaders share insights into what it takes to secure grants that enable organizational growth.
Can a Merger Expand Your Impact? 5 Lessons From Leaders Who Did It
Two leaders explain why their nonprofits joined together after the pandemic — and what they learned that can help other groups pull off a successful…
