Top tips for charity partnerships and mergers – 10 key takeaways

We know that Jesus said people would know that we’re followers “if we love one another”, but what does it look like, as Christian charities and churches, to go beyond communication, cooperation, coordination to collaboration and even to merger? In the ever-shifting landscape of public funding and increasing need, the question isn't just should we partner but how can we do so meaningfully and sustainably?

Tarn Bright, co-CEO of Home for Good and Safe Families, recently joined us in one of our follow-up sessions from March’s Faith and Fundraising conference. She described how Home for Good and Safe Families undertook this journey. Tarn shared how they saw their differences, but also that their mission statements were virtually identical. One was working upstream, one downstream; one had 25% statutory funding, the other 75%; they were strong in different areas, but had strong potential to complement each other, possibly by adding lifecycle to their activities, or bringing additional scale, data, evidence or reach. It is about ways to increase the value proposition.

From Tarn’s insights, here are 10 key takeaways to help guide your thinking, wherever you are on the path of partnership or merger. Use them as conversation starters with your board, your team… and your potential future partners.

1. Know what you are about and keep your ears open – tune in for others who share your vision, mission and values.

In a noisy sector, clarity is power. Start by getting crystal clear on what your charity is about – not just what you do but why you do it. Then start listening. You may hear another charity speaking in surprisingly familiar tones. That’s not competition – it could be a divine alignment waiting to happen.

2. Could another charity be using a very similar mission statement as yours? What is the solvable problem you could solve together?

If another organisation would describe your mission as well as you do, pay attention. Are you both targeting the same need, with different tools or scale? Shared language signals shared passion – and possibly shared potential. Merger could be an answer to a complex problem. Ask yourself honestly: what needs fixing? Could a merger reduce duplication, reach more people, or build resilience? Make sure the change truly serves the mission, not just the balance sheet.

3. What is most profound offer that you can contribute together? Does that increase through merging? You will need to be sure that the benefit of partnership/merger extends beyond the effort (and cost) of doing so.

Mergers come with real costs: financial, emotional, relational. So the shared offer must be truly greater than what each organisation brings alone. Ask what is the most significant, transformative contribution we could offer together?

4. What are your weaknesses/gaps as well as strengths? How could a partner complement those?

It’s not just about alignment; it’s about symbiosis. Perhaps your charity has great public engagement but limited infrastructure. Perhaps the other has secure contracts but lower visibility. Map your strengths and gaps together. You might be two halves of a stronger whole.

5. What are your fundamental non-negotiables?

Every organisation has some sacred ground. Name yours. These are the values, approaches or distinctives on which you’re unwilling to compromise. They’ll help you discern whether a potential partner is the right fit, and keep you anchored when discussions get complex.

6. The four key pillars for merger are: mission, culture, governance and finance. Are you willing to undertake thorough (external) due diligence across all of these?

Home for Good engaged an independent consultancy, with no ties to the faith or charity sectors, and felt it was worth every penny. External due diligence helps you see clearly, without bias. It also gives your board confidence that this is a decision rooted in wisdom, not just enthusiasm. Don’t skip this step. Bates Wells provided help with compliance, Memorandum and Articles, and exploring legal options (eg a new organisation with two subsidiaries or a legal transfer (TUPE)?). Q5 was used as a tool on organisational culture alignment.

7. 70% of mergers fail due to power battles. Are you willing to step aside for the bigger picture?

This one’s hard. You must count the cost – not just in time or money, but in ego. Does the mission matter more than the job titles? If you’re not willing to give something up, you may not be ready.

8. Take your grand vision to funders (at the right time). Might they fund your merger costs? One key funder asked: What will be the meta change in 10 years’ time as a result? Work that out and bring your business case to us – the door is open.

Home for Good and Safe Families found only a small overlap in supporters, with high potential for growth, and also that funders were more inclined to invest in partnerships than solo efforts. Our experience at the Faith and Fundraising Conference was that funders are more interested than ever in seeing efforts to reduce duplication.

9. Continued pressures on public funds will be a key driver for mergers in the next 2-5 years. Having a vision for partnership and merger is going to be a necessity.

Many charities are facing stark choices. Having a proactive strategy for partnership puts you ahead of the curve. Lead thoughtfully, collaboratively, courageously.

10. Remember we’re part of one Body.

It’s easy in our work to forget that we are part of a wider system. Christian charities and churches use Jesus’ analogy of the Body, with everyone playing a different role and needing each other.

Mergers and partnerships aren’t just about efficiency; they’re about mission. When done well, they can extend your reach, amplify your voice and serve your communities more effectively. But only if you start with honesty, humility and hope.

Whether you’re in early conversations, quietly considering, or already in the thick of it, these 9 questions can help. And if you find yourself walking in step with another charity, don’t be afraid to ask: Could we do more together?

Our conversation with Tarn finished with Romans 12: 10: “¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.”

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