They could not afford to rent space in the downtown area of Charlotte where they most needed to be, where they could be close to their client base. When they did find affordable space (class C office space - not great!), it would be sold out from under them to developers and they were forced to move again and again.
One evening, while gathered in a casual atmosphere over drinks, a few directors began to talk about joining forces to get the space they needed - it was all about space issues and money. It was not about blending or sharing services; the environment was somewhat competitive and "merger" was a bad word. However, this conversation evolved into a 50-year lease agreement with the town of Charlotte, a separate nonprofit charged with the management of the building, and an amazing development in collaboration among the partner organizations. The new building oversight organization is called Children & Families Service Center (CFSC - not because it was the intent to bring together specific services for children & families. It just worked out that way).
CFSC has a board made up of representatives of each nonprofit agency sharing the building and an equal number of community at large members. Today they continue to provide unique services per agency while they share resources in finance, human resources and technology. They have formed relationships, shared values and work collaboratively to provide a more holistic range of services for children and families than anyone dreamed possible. The executive directors meet weekly around collaboration opportunities and board members stop and talk in the hallways. It is no longer all about space issues and money. It is about supporting each other with a common mission.
It all started with sharing the issues, looking at the resources right across the table and being willing to take a risk.
Who are your neighbors? What resources have you not considered? How can competition make way for collaboration in your world?
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