PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Two local nonprofits that prepare high school kids for college are merging.

White-Williams Scholars and Philadelphia Futures are stable nonprofits, each with the mission of helping Philadelphia public school students get to college, and succeed once they get there.

The two organizations have decided to merge, with the idea that the sum will be greater than the parts.

Philadelphia Futures executive director Joan Mazzotti says the programs kids have come to depend on, will continue, “The brands that have been established by both organizations, White-Williams Scholars, Sponsor-A-Scholar and College Connections, will continue.”

The $12 million merger is expected to be finalized in March. Mazzotti will be executive director of the combined organization, which so far doesn’t have a new name.

Reported By Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio.