Affiliation: an innovative alternative to a merger or acquisition

How do you grow or stabilize your nonprofit organization when resources are tight? Traditionally, the answer has been a merger or acquisition. But those options often feel heavy, permanent, and risky. Many nonprofit leaders say their biggest concern in a traditional merger is losing identity, control, and eventually, the trust of their community.

Affiliation offers another way. With Inperium’s model, organizations join a network that delivers scale and infrastructure—while preserving leadership, name, and mission. It’s a modern, proven alternative to mergers and acquisitions for organizations that want to grow without giving up who they are. 

Today, the broader Inperium enterprise generates nearly $1 billion in annualized revenue across more than a dozen states—showing what becomes possible when organizations grow together without giving up their identity.

What Affiliation Is—and Why It Works 

Affiliation is not outsourcing, membership, or acquisition. It’s a structured partnership that strengthens an organization’s infrastructure while preserving its identity and leadership.

Here’s why leaders choose affiliation: 

• Identity and mission stay intact: Organizations keep their name, leadership, and local board.
• Infrastructure scales up: Finance, HR, insurance/legal & risk management, and IT support through Apis Services.
• Operations become stronger and more efficient: Shared services improve reporting, reduce risk, strengthen financial oversight, and relieve internal pressure.
• Leaders gain peers: Executives join a network of CEOs who share insights, best practices, and real-world solutions.

“In the field of human services — specifically child welfare — providing the highest quality programs and services is our absolute priority. Our affiliation with Inperium allows us to give focus to that priority, rather than always chasing the overwhelming burden of back-office tasks.” - Cher Ofstedahl, CEO of Trinity Youth Services

Real Affiliation Examples and Outcomes 

Affiliation isn’t theory—it’s already transforming organizations. 

• Advancing Opportunities (NJ) affiliated with Inperium in 2018 to expand development projects and strengthen operational improvement. Today, AO is a preferred provider for the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and statewide housing developers, with 10 new beds and $2M revenue in the pipeline.
• Attain Inc. (FL) affiliated in 2025 to strengthen operations while preserving its mission and culture. With greater stability and long-term growth capacity, Attain can deliver more autism-focused education and invest in staff development while staying deeply rooted in the Central Florida communities it serves.
• SRVS (TN) affiliated in 2022 after consecutive losses and deferred maintenance put the organization at risk. With a new line of credit, rate adjustments, and a dedicated turnaround team, SRVS stabilized operations without relinquishing control and expanded into Central Tennessee. 

Together, these stories show how affiliation delivers stability, scale, and room to grow—without requiring organizations to sacrifice what makes them unique.

How Affiliation Differs from Other Models 

To clarify how affiliation compares with other options, here’s a quick breakdown: 

• Merger / Acquisition: Full integration or absorption, often with loss of name, leadership, or governance.
• Institutional Alliance: Short-term collaboration for a specific purpose (e.g., research, advocacy) with minimal structural integration.
• Association / Membership: Loose alignment for networking or advocacy, but no operational support.
• Affiliation (Inperium model): A structured partnership with shared services—providing scale, infrastructure, and financial strength while preserving identity, leadership, and local control.  

Why This Matters for Leaders 

Health and human services organizations face complex challenges: rising costs, compliance burdens, reduced funding, and pressure to expand services. Traditional mergers may feel like the only way forward, but they often require giving up governance, identity, or local decision-making.

Affiliation offers a better path: 

• Stronger infrastructure without mission creep
• Scalable growth supported by shared systems and expertise
• Lower risk through deeper financial oversight and shared responsibility
• Preserved identity and leadership, with more time to focus on mission  

“Our partnership with Inperium has allowed our organization to deliver on our mission, built on our strengths, and provided access to resources for growth—all while maintaining local control and vital connection with our community. The Inperium model is the unicorn relationship we were looking for.” - James Sherry, Chief Executive Officer of Holly Hill