Two Prominent AIDS Nonprofits Will Merge to Improve Services
The combined agency, which has not yet been named, will begin operations on July 1. The decision to merge followed 10 months of work involving the staff of the two agencies as well as consumer and other stakeholders.
Public and private funding constraints were cited as primary reasons for the merger. The new entity will streamline administrative expenses, which will enable it to redirect funds to services and programs and to reaching underserved populations, the organizations said.
“Our discussions have always been motivated by our desire to improve the health outcomes for those that we serve and to be more effective in stopping new infections,” said John Gatto, executive director of Cambridge Cares About AIDS (CCA).
“We talked to hundreds of stakeholders, had significant input from our consumers and staff, and have built our plans around those collective ideas. All of us believe that a better integrated system will greatly improve the effectiveness of services across greater Boston and Cambridge.”
According to a statement issued by the two organizations, clients will benefit from centralized intake at any location, access to a broad network of specialty programs and experts, and increased consumer input and participation.
In addition, the new organization will better enable it to tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS, according to the joint statement.
“For many years we have been hearing from our public and private funders the desire for nonprofit organizations to reduce administrative costs and leverage the management capacity that exists," said Rebecca Haag, CEO of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts (AAC). "This merger directly responds to that challenge. By combining the expertise and experience of both organizations, we have created a broader array of services on a stronger management platform, making the new agency more competitive for future private and public funding opportunities.”
Leadership at AAC and CCA said other organizations serving the HIV/AIDS community have been involved in discussions to transform the delivery system and are likely to join the effort over time through agreements and contractual relationships.
The merger decision followed a strategic alliance process funded by The Boston Foundation which provided the assistance of New Sector Alliance, a national social impact consulting and leadership development consulting firm.