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A Community of Consultants Serving the Nonprofit Sector
For more than 30 years, ACN has strengthened mission-driven organizations by serving as Chicagoland’s premier society of professional nonprofit consultants. Our consultants work with local and national organizations in areas from Association Management to DEI and from Social Media to Strategic Planning.
As thought leaders in this focused and ever-changing sector, our members provide organizations with a rich resource of expertise, education and experience. We hope our site helps you find a consultant, submit an RFP, learn about our events, or get advice. New members are always welcomed!
Mission Statement
The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits envisions a world where all organizations doing social impact work have the external expertise they need to fulfill their missions.
Statement of Purpose
ACN raises the profile of consultants doing social impact work by providing its members with opportunities to build relationships and expand their expertise.
Upcoming Events
Join us at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11!
ACN News: DEI is top priority as new Board of Directors begins term ACN has great potential to boost its membership by appealing to a more diverse group of consultants, said new board president Shailushi Ritchie, founder and CEO of Sevah Consulting. Currently, most ACN members are white (86%) and reside in Chicago. While experienced in their respective fields, members typically have been in the consulting business for fewer than eight years. “What can we do to engage more people,” Ritchie asked, “people of different racial and ethnic groups, experienced consultants and people who don’t live in Chicago?” The board has ideas. To engage members nationwide, remote programming will continue post-pandemic, even as in-person workshops and happy hours resume. For experienced consultants, programming that “talks about how to move your business to the next level,” could be a draw, she said. The board also anticipates organizing and supporting self-directed affinity groups, such as for members who are on the West Coast or LGBTQ or people of color. These groups may focus on free-form networking or take a more formal approach, such as by inviting in speakers, she explained. | ACN News & Advice
Creating a Diverse, Equitable & Inclusive Board | By ACN Member
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Our Member Organizations Consist of:
Experienced. Our consultants’ practices represent the full range of functions and skills needed by nonprofits of any type, age, or size to thrive. The typical ACN member works with five clients per year on engagements ranging from day-long commitments to year-long projects.
Committed. ACN members represent the best of what it means to be committed to helping people. With an average of 10 years in their current consulting practice and 22 years working in the nonprofit sector, our consultants have weathered countless storms alongside their clients – and gotten them safely to shore.
Collaborative. ACN provides its members the opportunity to collaborate with clients and colleagues alike, in order to provide exceptional service throughout the nonprofit sector. ACN members consistently report collaborating with another member in the prior year. From hosting relevant, timely programming to facilitating networking through pop-up events and online forums, ACN strives to promote the highest caliber of collegiality across sectors.
New to Working With Consultants? Download Our Guide!
Make an impact, become an ACN sponsor
ACN has a variety of event sponsorship packages at varying investment levels. Learn more about ACN sponsorships.
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Thank you to our ACN Annual Meeting Platinum Sponsors
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We're especially grateful to this year's platinum sponsors: Journal Sixty Six and Schooley Mitchell.
We were thrilled to see members, board members, committee volunteers, sponsors, speakers & nonprofits at our 32nd Annual Meeting Friday, June 18. One of our key updates was that we have broken our membership record! Read our annual meeting recap |
About Our Nonprofit Consultants:
Amy Wishnick | "Since joining ACN, I have reaped many benefits. ACN has afforded me the opportunity to be more visible and to increase my reach as a consultant. Each of my national clients has found me through the website. Being part of a smart, dedicated community of colleagues, as well as my experience on the board of directors and as association president, have also been enriching. Being involved makes all the difference.” |
ACN Partners
Please join us in thanking these resources and partners that help make ACN better for our consultants!
ACN is a proud to be a Peer Network Affiliate of Forefront |
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The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits | 400 E. Randolph St., #2305 | Chicago, IL 60601
