A21 - Nonprofits Going For-Profit, Without Selling Out
Monday, April 27, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bluebird 2E
Across the country, behavioral health nonprofit organizations and their associations are navigating dramatic policy shifts, rate pressures and a growing misalignment between demand and workforce capacity. At the same time, the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how care is delivered, how organizations operate and how we engage with patients and data.
Nonprofit organizations are exploring new approaches to strengthen financial sustainability while expanding access to care.
A strategy is the development of mission-aligned, for-profit private practice subsidiaries designed to reach commercially insured populations, diversify revenue streams and support long-term organizational resilience.
This session explores how nonprofit leaders are moving from concept to execution, including what it realistically takes to build a viable model.
Moderated by Linda Rosenberg, this panel brings together national policy leadership, legal and entrepreneurial expertise and real-world provider experience. Tania Malik will discuss the legal, business and clinical infrastructure required to launch, while Josh Cantwell and Ashley Kjos will share the operational realities nonprofit leaders face when evaluating and implementing for-profit subsidiaries.
Participants will leave with a practical understanding of how to evaluate this strategy within their own organizations and how to prepare their leadership teams and boards.
The future of behavioral health will be shaped by those that evolve their models while protecting their mission.
Learning Objectives:
Assess whether a mission-aligned private practice subsidiary is an appropriate strategy for their organization’s market, mission and financial model
Identify patient populations and services that may be best suited for commercially aligned care models while maintaining commitment to Medicaid and safety-net populations
Navigate governance, mission alignment and board-level considerations when evaluating new business models within nonprofit organizations
Understand the operational, regulatory and financial realities involved in launching and sustaining a for-profit subsidiary
Prepare leadership teams and boards for emerging sustainability strategies in a rapidly evolving behavioral health landscape
