The California-based Clarence Foundation has just announced that it is about to merge with another Californian organization, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD). There is a lot of talk of mergers these days – especially from foundations encouraging non-profits to think about merging in response to the economic crisis. In this case the merger will be between a grantmaking foundation and a non-profit that focuses on helping community-based organizations throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

According to Clarence Foundation Chairman Greg Ulrich, this was not triggered by the economic crisis. ‘It was just what we felt was in the best interests of both organizations. We would have done this even in a healthy economy. Of course, the state of the economy only makes the case for this move stronger.’