As the recession began to bite late in 2008 and non-profit groups found it harder to meet costs and provide services, four private funding organisations had a good idea. “Why don’t we collaborate and create a fund to help other organisations collaborate?”
The J R McKenzie Trust, Todd Foundation, Tindall Foundation and Wayne Francis Charitable Trust came up with the Working Together More Fund (He Pūtea Mahi Tahi) in October 2009. Research undertaken by WTMF shows that collaboration is unlikely to work if forced, and takes time to implement, but significantly increases effectiveness and efficiency. Although community organisations do work together at some level already, intentional collaboration can lead to cost savings and less duplication through shared office space and equipment, backroom services (payroll, accounting, IT), volunteers, planning and management.
A good example of how this can work is the $10 000 grant given to two youth worker organisations who joined forces to create a new and better umbrella organisation to support thousands of people who work with young New Zealanders between the ages of 12 and 25.
The new organisation, Ara Taiohi (pathway for young people) replaces NZ Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) and the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa (NYWNA), both of which will be phased out. Ara Taiohi was launched at the 2010 Involve conference, the largest gathering of youth workers in the country.
Spokespeople for both organisations said that Ara Taiohi is not a merger but a new organisation entering its start-up phase with a greater vision to lead, support and galvanise the youth sector – a natural partnership drawing on the strengths of both organisations, and capitalising on two decades of trusting relationships. A key priority is to give youth workers professional status, credibility and recognition and training for the sector’s 3000 youth workers and many volunteers, and set up competency processes. A code of ethics will also provide accountability and compliance.
The new organisation will connect workers locally and internationally, ensure that rangatahi Māori are treated equally, and intends to speak with a stronger and clearer voice to media and government on youth issues.
Further cost-savings will come from streamlining membership (removing a one-third overlap), running only one office, website and newsletter, and amalgamating many activities.
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