The Management Services Organization (MSO) binding Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill into a mutually beneficial long-term partnership is now in place. The two organizations have been partnering since November 2015, cost-sharing the Executive Director, and more recently, a Development & Public Relations Director. Several board members have been serving on both Hawthorn Hill and Bidwell boards for some time now, planning for a seamless transition to legal partnership.
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines played a crucial role in bringing Hawthorn Hill and Bidwell Riverside Center together for this long-term partnership.
Hawthorn Hill and Bidwell Riverside Center have a lot in common. Both organizations focus on life-changing assistance to homeless and underprivileged individuals and families. Both also share roots with the United Methodist Church as well as being United Way of Central Iowa partner agencies.
A Management Services Organization is a nonprofit, 501 C-3 organization that exists to provide management and administrative services to multiple organizations. The creation of the MSO will enhance both organizations’ financial stability and expand capacity. Hawthorn Hill and Bidwell will each pay their share of the MSO expenses, and continue to operate financially independent of the other with the exception of shared administration expenses. Both will continue to have their own unique identity and programs for those in need.