As a group of independent and small philanthropic consultancy firms from across the nation, 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.
APC provides philanthropic consultants with community, education, and knowledge about best practices to strengthen their businesses and empower each client to meet its mission.
Challenge:
APC has around 40 members firms that consult with charitable, nonprofit organizations. Members offer services ranging from strategic planning, board development and governance topics, to fundraising counsel for proposals, capital and endowment campaigns. In February 2020, we committed to enhancing our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. As part of that process, we are seeking a consultant who can facilitate a planning retreat this summer as we re-view our Vision, Mission, and Values.
Outcomes:
SOAR guided us to have deeper conversations, gathered the information and provided it back to us in our debrief, post retreat. This really helped us gain the clarity and consensus we were seeking. From there, we had a much easier time finalizing our association’s vision, mission, values and strategic plan.
SCN Consultation:
Virtual Strategic Mapping for 35 APC member executives to validate and create consensus around new vision, mission, core values and strategic priorities.
The Association of Philanthropic Counsel engaged SOAR Community Network and Mali Phonpadith in July 2021 to assist with vision, mission, and values, and with operationalizing our goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We selected SCN from a proposal process, and we are SO glad we did. Mali calmly facilitated two half-day sessions for us, which is particularly remarkable because members of APC are themselves all trained, experienced facilitators in group processes. With Mali’s guidance, we could focus on the content and make significant progress. She has stayed with us as part of our engagement with quarterly check-ins and counsel. This is important for an all-volunteer organization of consultants as we need someone to hold us accountable. Thank you, Mali and SCN.