Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care and Audubon Community Nature Center Launch IT Shared Services Pilot
Collaboration is a powerful tool for nonprofit success, and a new partnership between Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care and Audubon Community Nature Center is a testament to that. These two organizations are launching a pilot Informational Technology (IT) shared services partnership, where an IT expert from Hospice will assist Audubon to address limited, specific technical issues and provide basic trainings to build staff skills. Both parties agreed to a fee that will make the arrangement sustainable. The details are evolving as the parties learn how they can make the collaboration as effective as possible.
How Did This Collaboration Begin?
The idea for this type of collaboration stemmed from The Capacity Lab’s Mini-Conference focused on shared services in January 2024. Following that event, a smaller group of nonprofits that expressed a need for IT support at the conference were convened by TCL for further discussion and exploration of shared services. Senior staff from both organizations connected with each other at both of these gatherings—and despite their different missions, they recognized an organizational cultural compatibility that made collaboration a natural next step.
Once both parties expressed interest in working together, TCL helped to facilitate the process. Using a collaboration template available in TCL’s Shared Services Toolkit, representatives guided discussions to help both organizations outline the specifics of their partnership. The structured conversation helped define roles, expectations, and financial considerations, ensuring a strong foundation for the pilot program.
What is Shared Services?
Supporting shared services is a core pillar of TCL’s strategy for enhancing nonprofit capacity and resilience in Chautauqua County. Shared services refer to collaborations that help nonprofits function more effectively and sustainably, whether by pooling resources, sharing expertise, or jointly managing operational functions.
Why Shared Services?
Shared services are often associated with cost savings, but TCL emphasizes that the benefits extend far beyond financial considerations. Even when cost-neutral, collaboration strengthens nonprofit networks, fosters the exchange of best practices, and creates opportunities for new programming. Ultimately, shared services help nonprofits deliver on their missions more effectively by leveraging collective strengths.
The Shared Services Toolkit: A Resource for Nonprofits
For nonprofits looking to explore shared services, TCL’s Shared Services Toolkit is a great resource. The toolkit includes case studies, templates, and evaluation tools to help organizations navigate potential challenges and structure successful partnerships. While these tools offer a strong starting point, TCL also provides hands-on facilitation and guidance for those seeking more direct support.
Looking Ahead
As Hospice and Audubon continue to refine their IT Shared Services partnership, their collaboration serves as a model for other nonprofits exploring similar opportunities. With the support of The Capacity Lab, shared services are becoming a powerful mechanism for strengthening the nonprofit sector in Chautauqua County.
Interested in learning more about shared services or exploring collaboration opportunities? Explore the Shared Services Toolkit or reach out for direct support! Contact us via email at info@thecapacitylab.org.
