Building Cacapity, Together.
Shared Services at the Nonprofit Center
Nonprofits do incredible work, but many operate with limited administrative capacity and back‑office challenges that slow down delivering their mission. Shared services offer a way forward by providing organizations with access to operational support, eliminating the need for each organization to build the infrastructure independently.
What we are Building
To ensure we approach shared services thoughtfully and effectively, we’ve done extensive research, joined Impact Commons, a national network of organizations sharing best practices in this space, and completed a feasibility study led by Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons, a recognized industry leader. We are proud to share that we are now actively scoping a Shared Services pilot project for Northeast Florida.
This work is guided by a council of strategic thinkers and business leaders from across our community who serve on our Shared Services Advisory Council. Together with our Board of Directors and talented staff, they are helping shape the vision, strategy, and design of this initiative.
Shared services are not simply an efficiency strategy; they are an investment in nonprofit strength, staff wellbeing, and long‑term community impact. With the guidance of our Advisory Council, we look forward to sharing more about the pilot later this year and inviting nonprofits and funders to participate in this next chapter.
Our Track Record in Shared Services
For over 22 years, the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida has served as a regional capacity builder, helping members adopt best practices, strengthen governance, and make informed decisions through research and technical assistance. Nearly a decade ago, the Nonprofit Center began exploring shared-infrastructure approaches through its work connected to The Jessie, a collaboration space and gathering place for nonprofits and community members.
The Nonprofit Center has also served as a fiscal sponsor for multiple emerging and innovative organizations, providing compliance, financial stewardship, and administrative stability during early growth stages. In parallel to exploring shared services, the Nonprofit Center has invested in sector infrastructure initiatives such as Catalyst Northeast Florida, which provides shared community data to highlight social sector gaps that inform collaborative problem-solving and decision-making. While distinct from shared services, Catalyst demonstrates the Nonprofit Center’s role as a neutral intermediary capable of convening partners and managing shared resources that strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem.
Resources to Learn more About Shared Services:
Nonprofit Shared Services, 07.29.25
- Models and Comparative Analysis virtual session hosted by Social Impact Commons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KwIw66sbgE&list=PLbVeai-ezdc_mfeesDtAAaWTBhZsgGc1o&index=1&t=1s - PowerPoint Deck leveraged during the session, https://app.box.com/s/cy4lzascoq3a0f5elnpnmrwbzi2vl02a
Social Impact Commons
- Social Impact Commons is a community of fiscal sponsors, sponsored projects, funders, and other ally organizations interested in advancing equity and effectiveness in the nonprofit sector through fiscal sponsorship. https://www.socialimpactcommons.org/#!directory/map/ord=rnd
For more information, please contact Allison Ownby, aownby@nonprofitctr.org.