Rochester Area Nonprofit Consortium Forum Invitation

• Share findings from research on national non-profit collaboration models and community priorities;
• Determine the top 2-3 priority areas to take action on; and
• Establish short-term, priority-specific workgroups.

 Please join us for a web-based discussion on 

Exploring Shared Services for Area Nonprofits

·     Highlight progress to date;

·     Describe how your organization can help create a shared services model; and

·     Provide an opportunity to ask questions.

·    July 26, 2:30-3:00 p.m.

·    July 27, 10:30-11:00 a.m.

Brooke Carlson, brooke@northskyhealth.com or (612) 387-1183

Faced with a worker shortage and an uncertain funding climate, Rochester area nonprofit groups are exploring ways to band together and work more efficiently. About 30 to 70 area nonprofit entities, mostly in the health and human services sector, have shown an interest in being part of a co-op, in which they'd share human resource managers and information technology services and personnel. They could create pooled health care coverage for their employees and do more joint purchasing. And while it might not save money in all instances, it would improve organizational competency and effectiveness, nonprofit leaders say. The shared concept has worked successfully in other communities. By sharing services and positions across certain support areas, nonprofits are able to focus more time and energy on core programming, leaders say.

In Rochester, talks have been spearheaded by executive directors at five nonprofits, including Dee Sabol at the Diversity Council, Scott Maloney at Family Service Rochester, Courtney Lawson at NAMI, Virginia Merritt at Legal Assistance of Olmsted County, and Jon Losness at Families First.

An estimated 70 executive directors and board presidents of nonprofits have taken part in the talks, including those for the Salvation Army, Arc of Southeastern Minnesota, PossAbilities of Southern Minnesota, Rochester Civic Theatre, YMCA, Hiawatha Homes and Channel One, to name a few.