While unions among nonprofit groups are not unheard of, in most cases the motive is simply survival.
"Frequently these types of mergers are driven by some sort of financial crisis," said Bruce Melgary, executive director of the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation. "That doesn't seem to be the case here."
Joan Mazzotti, executive director of Philadelphia Futures, called the move "a bold step" for both organizations.
One could argue it is particularly bold for White-Williams, which can trace its roots to 1800 and ranks as among the oldest charities in the United States.
"As you might imagine, this decision was carefully considered," said Ed Covington, president of the White-Williams board. "We are an organization with a tremendous 200-year history of service to Philadelphia, that is very healthy, with a stellar reputation. And the decision to change would have to be a compelling positive to an already positive story."
In this instance, Covington and Mazzotti say they believe that is the case.
"Both boards recognized that by merging, the whole would be greater than the parts," Mazzotti said.
No decision has been made as to what the new organization will be called, she said. That is among the issues to be resolved before the two groups formally merge in March.
Both nonprofit groups share the common goal of helping high school students from low-income homes get to college and successfully navigate their time there.
White-Williams, for many years, was primarily concerned with keeping high school students invested in their studies. It provided financial stipends for high school students who kept their grades at a B level or higher.
