New York – November 10, 2026 -- OATS lost a New York City-funded program that supplied almost half of its annual budget in 2008, and support from a long-standing nonprofit partner kept its trainers employed until sustainable funding arrived.
Budget shortfall threatened layoffs and site closings
An unexpected shortfall in the New York City budget eliminated the program. OATS faced staff layoffs, site closings and cancelled programs.
The executive director of a nonprofit partner, a site where OATS had taught classes for several years, then called with an offer of support. OATS accepted. Several trainers kept their jobs, and programs continued until more sustainable funding was secured.
Consumer Technology Association Foundation funds Partner Portal
Every OATS program since its first day of operation has been a partnership. The organization has taught at more than 200 locations across America. Its partners include libraries, schools, senior centers, advocacy campaigns, government agencies, corporations and foundations.
Funding from the Consumer Technology Association Foundation paid for a dedicated Partner Portal. Organizations worldwide can use it to access up-to-date OATS curriculum, technical support, digital content and organizational resources in real time.
OATS lists four principles for managing partnerships
The organization says it values each partner for its distinct expertise, including content, culture, policy, programs, geography and networks. It also works to learn what drives partner success and reinforce it, and it prioritizes personal relationships as the basis of trust in the nonprofit sector.
OATS also says strong partnerships require staff, effort and money, and that organizations should build sound financial and program models to support them.
Its partners range from a two-person operation run out of a housing project in West Harlem to international corporations with revenues over a billion dollars.