#MergerMondays: Heart of West Michigan United Way + United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties

We've seen several United Way collaborations here at #MergerMondays. This one from the Heart of West Michigan United Way ➕ United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties. There's so much that goes into a successful collaboration - congrats on starting a new chapter! 💙

But let’s look at at the different ways this story was covered. Here from Crain’s:

Then there’s the coverage from some other local news outlets:

I think the headline in the Crain’s story undercuts the story that the new Heart of West Michigan United Way wants to tell. Look at the difference in language: from “combining” and “joining forces” to “absorbs".” “Absorbing” a smaller entity suggests that larger entities are out there gobbling up smaller ones. While not uncommon in the business world, the nonprofit collaborations I have been involved with go way beyond the bottom line to truly looking for a business model that will sustain vital community resources. Nonprofits are often scrutinized for their exploration of a business tactic that is legitimized and celebrated in the for-profit world. So next time you read about a nonprofit merger that borrows language from the world of for-profit mergers, go to the source. Here’s what the leadership of these United Way’s had to say:

Other United Way mergers we’ve featured:

#MergerMondays: United Way of Summit and Medina + Heart to Heart Leadership

#MergerMondays: United Way of Washtenaw County + SE Michigan