Melissa Brown hangs with the SnapCast for a second conversation about the Association of Philanthropic Counsel, a membership association of consulting firms that advise philanthropic (nonprofit) organizations. Upholding a strict code of ethics, APC is committed to ensuring that nonprofit organizations of all sizes can engage experienced, qualified counsel by strengthening the abilities, growing the resources, and expanding the knowledge and networks of our members. Our key talking points include:
- Code of ethics even “stricter” than AFP’s – which is one reason for the referral and references pieces. For example, we commit to continuously updating our professional knowledge. In fact, that knowledge-gain is a key reason people join APC.
- Membership survey this year showed extremely high commitment to DEIA as an organization and also across members in terms of how they work with clients, such as for board development, strategic planning, and other services, plus in their fee structures, etc.
- Discussions still underway but it looks like revised Values, Vision, and Mission will be very clear about the commitment we have to inclusion, diversity, equity and access within APC – as a membership association — and in our firms. That commitment dates to the organization’s founding in 1995. It will be much clearer, though, in our public-facing language.
- We try to live this commitment within the Association through how we seek vendors, our programming, including regular reading/discussion groups and who we invite as speakers, and in our firms based on how we work with clients, our hiring practices, etc. Within APC, we are also working on reviewing association fees and processes to be more accessible, too – stay tuned.