UNIVERSITY PARK ALLIANCE AND UNIVERSITY PARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCE NONPROFIT MERGER
CONTACT: Beth Houseman, 330-972-8859
SUMMARY: UNIVERSITY PARK ALLIANCE AND UNIVERSITY PARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCE NONPROFIT MERGER
Akron, Ohio, May 10, 2010 — University Park Alliance (UPA) today announced that University Park Development Corporation (UPDC) has agreed to merge with the organization and enhance UPA’s efforts to transform the University Park neighborhood, a 50-block area surrounding The University of Akron. The merger was announced at UPA’s Annual Awards Luncheon on May 10th. The two organizations have shared similar missions for years. Doing business going forward as “University Park Alliance,” the merged single nonprofit organization will be able to leverage UPA’s institutional strength with UPDC’s grassroots connection with the community.
“The united organization will bring together both institutional and community perspectives to catalyze change that is transformational to the University Park neighborhood,” says UPA Board President Tony O’Leary. “It will focus investment in the neighborhood so there can be increased impact for every dollar spent in University Park.”
The new organization will be an independent, board-governed 501(c)(3). Board members were installed and an executive committee was elected at a special meeting on April 19th. “We are deeply grateful to the previous UPDC board of directors for their leadership and support,” says O’Leary.
A search is underway for a new UPA executive director who will report directly to the board. Ken Stapleton, current executive director of UPA, will continue to lead the organization through the end of June, when he will return to Miami, Florida to reactivate his consulting firm. The UPA board of directors hopes to have a new executive director in place soon after that. Through a strategic planning process and approval of the board, UPA’s new executive director will assess program priorities and potential future funding sources and will manage the organization and staff to achieve program objectives.
University Park Alliance is an organization whose partners work collectively to transform the University Park neighborhood, a 50-block area surrounding The University of Akron, by leveraging private investments and engaging the community. Major funding for this effort is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more information, visit www.upakron.com.
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