Families International Gains both Tactical and Strategic HR Advantages with TriNet

Families International (FI), the holding company for a variety of nonprofit human service organizations, includes two national membership organizations: the Alliance for Children and Families and United Neighborhood Centers of America. FI represents more than 525 nonprofit human service organizations across the country.

FI's mission is to fuse intellectual capital with superior membership services in order to strengthen the capacities of North America's economic empowerment and child- and family-serving organizations to serve and advocate for children, families, and communities "so that together we may pursue a vision of a healthy society and strong communities for all children and families," says Peter Goldberg, president and chief executive office of FI. In addition, FI works to strengthen America's nonprofit sector and advocate for its continued independence.

For Mr. Goldberg, outsourcing human resources to TriNet is an essential ingredient for what he calls "high performing" nonprofit organizations.

"Being a high performing nonprofit means, as author Jim Collins put it, getting 'the 'right people on the bus,'" Mr. Goldberg explained. "It's just as important for us as it is for our corporate counterparts to invest in the HR constellation-including talent management, the 'great place to work concept,' and all the HR infrastructure that's required. We're a people-intensive field, and it's important that HR doesn't become a drag on our ability to perform at the highest capacity."

A Strategic Partnership
Mr. Goldberg's experience with HR outsourcing has convinced him that TriNet is the right strategic partner for that "HR constellation."

"TriNet provides both tactical and strategic advantages to us. On the tactical side, they provide health insurance options that help us attract and retain the right talent at an affordable price. They also provide an excellent 'Red Carpet' compliance audit that helps protect the company. And we've appreciated their online HR services, including TriNet University™, which has helped us provide mandatory workforce training for workplace discrimination and harassment."

Mr. Goldberg continues, "But there's a strategic element as well. Their comprehensive service offering helped us implement an expanded, broader, more comprehensive human resource system, including having access to human capital professionals. As a result, they have helped us create the intellectual environment we need to sustain our status as a high-performing company."

In fact, Families International has invited TriNet to the company's team leadership retreat to assist even further with the company's advancement on the HR front. "What they provide is more than just HR services," Mr. Goldberg said. "It's a partnership that enriches us."

HR Services and Strategy for High Performance Companies
TriNet and Families International plan to work together to educate other nonprofits about the advantages of HR outsourcing, and it's a topic that Mr. Goldberg discusses with considerable passion.

"What I really want to do is convert the way the industry thinks about HR. It's not just a low-level compliance function-it's a strategic investment in the growth and the capacity of an organization to perform at a higher and higher level."

He continued, "That's not to say that TriNet can't help with a range of tactical issues such as payroll and benefits administration. But the reason I appreciate TriNet so much is because of the strategic opportunities they present. They offer a way for nonprofits to strategically align their HR programs with the demands of their competitive environment. That's why I believe that TriNet and nonprofit organizations can be a perfect match."