Collaboration Allows Charities to Extend Their Reach in Tough Times

Oasis Center and Stars Nashville both work with troubled youths, so on one level the two Nashville charities are natural competitors. But they are also collaborators. The two organizations jointly raised $8-million for the facility that they share, and they have deepened their bonds since moving into the building in February 2009.

The partnership between the charities exemplifies a trend that the Bridge­span Group, a nonprofit consulting organization, noticed in its latest survey of how charity leaders have coped with the economic downturn and the tepid recovery.