Are partnerships the new mergers?

To merge or not to merge isn’t always the question for nonprofits doing similar work and trying to stretch their limited resources. Another option is to form partnerships that allow groups to jointly serve the same clients while maintaining their separate organizational identities.

The Non Profit Quarterly reports on a recently established fund ($1.7 million Catalyst Fund for Nonprofits) that assists non profits explore how they can team up and reduce overheads.  A second report gives an example of two non profits in the child services area who have decided to set up a ‘parent’ holding company that they hope

will increase the scope and quality of service, and families will have access to both agencies

I wonder what the lessons for arts organisations might be here? And when we’ll see more formalised cooperation between companies, building on the already good informal arrangements currently in place?