Shared services programs help nonprofits consolidate their “back office” operations and administrative functions. Fostering collaboration among multiple organizations allows nonprofits to streamline and minimize overhead costs through shared workspaces, financial and human resources operations, and IT support. This in turn enables nonprofits to increase their purchasing power and operating efficiency, and focus more resources on delivering high-quality services and achieving their missions.

The first publication for nonprofit executives looking to create shared services programs, Shared Services is filled with step-by-step guidelines, case studies, and sample documents. Based on the best practices of professionals across the nonprofit and philanthropic world, the 84-page guide helps nonprofits build their own successful shared services program, achieve greater financial stability in their cost-saving and planning measures, and thrive in changing and uncertain markets.

“In these challenging times, effective infrastructure and operations is not merely a matter of convenience, but a matter of survival for nonprofits,” said China Brotsky, Tides Senior Vice President. “Tides is delighted to serve as a resource to the nonprofit sector and provide this Shared Services guide to help nonprofits increase their operational efficiency, focus on their core competencies and create economies of scale through innovative, long-term strategies.”

Shared Services was developed by The NonprofitCenters Network – a program of Tides – in collaboration with Third Sector New England with support from The San Francisco Foundation and the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Shared Services: A Guide to Creating Collaborative Solutions is available for purchase at: www.nonprofitcenters.org/shared-services-guide

The cost for the one-of-a-kind guide is $24.00 for NonprofitCenter Network members and $56.00 for non-members. A special early purchase discount rate is available until February 12, 2010 at $18.00 for NonprofitCenter Network members and $42.00 for non-members. Enter the discount code SSGUIDE2010 at www.nonprofitcenters.org/shared-services-guide. A free 11-page preview of Shared Services is also available for download.

Tides provides grantmaking services, nonprofit management services, and strategic consulting to nonprofits, social innovators and institutional and individual funders across the country and around the globe. Tides is the largest fiscal sponsor in the U.S. offering its 200+ fiscally sponsored projects a comprehensive suite of shared back-office services, a legal framework, and capacity-building support to enable them to operate more efficiently and effectively. More information about Tides’ nonprofit infrastructure resources and services is at www.tides.org.

More information about the NonprofitCenters Network, which publishes guides, studies, and reports based on best practices gathered from an international community of nonprofit center leaders and shared services providers, is at www.nonprofitcenters.org.