Supporting an Agency Merger: Equinox and Clearview

In response to the economic downturn of 2008, NYHealth made a series of Economic Recovery grants to support mergers, partnerships, and collaborations between nonprofits that were struggling to maintain services and fiscal viability.

Grantee Name

Project Equinox, Inc.

Funding Area

Special Projects Fund

Publication Date

February 2015

Grant Amount

$300,000

Grant Date:

November 2011–September 2014

Special Projects Fund

In response to the economic downturn of 2008, NYHealth made a series of Economic Recovery grants to support mergers, partnerships, and collaborations between nonprofits that were struggling to maintain services and fiscal viability.

From this initiative, a consortium of seven agencies that provide mental health, substance use treatment, and social services was established to develop a strategic partnership model. Two of these agencies—Equinox Inc., and ClearView Center—determined that a full-asset merger would further increase their ability to offer comprehensive services to similar populations. In 2011, NYHealth awarded Project Equinox a grant to support the Equinox, Inc., and ClearView merger.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

  • Increased awareness among staff members in the agency about the different expertise available and the types of services offered as a result of the merger;
  • Strengthened services throughout the agency, which led staff members to be confident they could fully address multiple client issues through discussions or referrals; 
  • Expanded mental health services for youth, ages 16 to 24. In 2013, 82 youth were assessed and 52 youth were admitted into the new program;
  • Restructured and streamlined internal operations by combining finance, human resources, and development into one department; and
  • Hired a chief financial officer and a billing clerk to oversee operations in the newly combined department.