http://66.225.205.104/LM20090807.mp3
Foundation for the Carolinas is taking an inventory of all of Charlotte's non-profit - from arts groups to social service agencies - to see how they can most effectively meet the area's needs. WFAE's Lisa Miller has more: Foundation for the Carolinas wants to know how many non-profits are out there and what needs they're addressing. Brian Collier with the organization says the idea is to get non-profits to stretch themselves at a time when giving in Charlotte has dropped by well-over $40 million. "Allow them this in-crisis-comes-opportunity-moment where they can hopefully find some efficiencies and effectiveness that might actually improve the entire sector in the long-run," says Collier. Local officials have said non-profits need to look at consolidation to serve more people with less money. Last month, the Uptown Men's Shelter and the Emergency Winter Shelter announced plans to merge. Foundation for the Carolinas provided $15,000 to help those two groups come together. Collier says the study may result in the consolidation of non-profits, but he's also hoping it will spark new ideas about ways groups can coordinate with each other. The foundation wants to set up a fund to assist with mergers and help groups test-drive new ideas for serving the community.