In 1999, La Piana Associates, in collaboration with the Chapin Hall Center for Children (a policy research institution at the University of Chicago ), conducted the largest ever national study on strategic restructuring in the nonprofit sector. The study was funded by the Nonprofit Sector Research Fund of the Aspen Institute and the Lilly Endowment.

Phase II of the national study was completed in 2002. It involves in-depth case studies of six strategic restructuring partnerships, as well as a survey of a random sample of nonprofits in two different cities to look at the prevalence of strategic restructuring in those areas. In addition, the research team conducted interviews with 20 national leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, asking them to share their reflections on the implications of the preliminary results for the future of the sector.

The findings of this research are included in a book — Strategic Restructuring for Nonprofit Organizations: Mergers, Integrations, and Alliances — by Amelia Kohm and David La Piana, published by Praeger Publishers in November 2003. The book provides nonprofit managers, board members, consultants, and foundation executives with research-based information to use in making tough decisions about whether and how to pursue a range of organizational partnerships — from jointly managed programs and consolidated administrative functions, to full-scale mergers.

Strategic Restructuring for Nonprofit Organizations is available for purchase at Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com

Download a PDF copy of the Phase 1 report from the Chapin Hall Center for Children website http://www.chapinhall.org

More Reports and Monographs

SAGE/Task Force LGBT Aging Leadership Initiative: A Case Study in Collaboration

Beyond Collaboration Strategic Restructuring of Nonprofit Organizations

The James Irvine Foundation — sensing an increased interest among nonprofit sector leaders in partnership opportunities — commissioned a study by David La Piana of the future role of strategic restructuring. That study led to Beyond Collaboration: Strategic Restructuring for Nonprofit Organizations, published by the National Center for Nonprofit Boards in 1997. The study offers an analysis of restructuring efforts among nonprofits and describes several strategies that funders might develop to support activity in this arena. A follow-up Revised Second Edition was released in March 2000, with an expanded reference section demonstrating the considerable advancements made in the field of strategic restructuring over that three-year period.

Models of Strategic Restructuring Case Study: Crittenton Women's Union Merger

This case study is one in a series of snapshots about The Collaboration Prize 2009 Finalists. Written by Melissa Mendes Campos, with Jo DeBolt and Robert Harrington, this resource describes the merger of Crittenton, Inc. and The Women's Union, into Crittenton Women's Union. The Collaboration Prize is designed to inspire cooperation among nonprofit organizations. La Piana Consulting managed the design and implementation of the 2009 Collaboration Prize for the Lodestar Foundation.

Tool for Assessing Startup Nonprofits: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers

Written by David La Piana, Liza Culick, Kristen Godard, and Bill Coy and published by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations in June 2003 this tool is designed for use by funders assessing a grant application from a startup nonprofit. It includes suggested interview questions and worksheets to supplement funders’ regular due diligence of startup organizations.