Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is ACCP?

A. The Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals (ACCP) is an advocacy, information and continuing education organization open only to corporate contributions, community relations and employee volunteerism managers. It is not affiliated or aligned with any other institution.

Q. Why should I join?

A. ACCP was founded in 2004 to respond to a growing need to provide professional education and guidance to corporations committed to exemplary corporate citizenship. In light of new regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley and the Patriot Act, and continued interest from legislators and the IRS, philanthropy has become one of the most complicated corporate fields. Corporations are challenged to ensure compliance while continuing their philanthropic objectives to reach underserved and needy individuals and families in their communities. ACCP helps corporations identify and adopt best practices and provides training for contributions professionals so they can effectively navigate the ever-changing dynamics of corporate philanthropy.

Q. What kind of benefits can I expect to receive?

A. Free tuition to member delegates at the Annual Conference on Corporate Contributions. Deeply discounted fees to all continuing education activities such as the popular Academy Management Forum. Access to the members-only ACCP Manager's Tooolkit. Click here for a full list of benefits.

Q. How much is membership in ACCP?

A. The annual fee is $5,000, which includes one complimentary seat at the Annual Conference on Corporate Contributions plus deep tuition discounts for other attendees to the Annual Conference and Management Forum.

Q. How does the $5,000 stack up against other organizations?

A. Membership dues range up to $12,500 a year, and some are open only to companies that pay even higher membership fees to institutions that sponsor corporate contributions activities. ACCP's fee is largely offset by complimentary and discounted tuitions.

Q. What makes ACCP different from the Conference Board Contributions Councils, Council on Foundations corporate program, Boston College's Corporate Citizenship Center, or the U.S. Chamber's Center for Corporate Citizenship?

A. ACCP is a stand-alone, independent association. Its policies, objectives, and services are determined exclusively by its members. The above-mentioned councils and centers offer helpful information, but each is imbedded in a larger organization. Because ACCP is independent and member-driven, it is able to address cutting-edge, sometimes controversial issues in a timely manner.

Q. What about the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy—it's not aligned with any other organization, is it?

A. CECP is an important national forum of business CEOs and chairpersons. Like other councils and centers, it also puts the spotlight on corporate social responsibility. However, its main audience of chief executives vastly differs from ACCP's membership.

Q. So, is ACCP in competition with these other programs?

A. ACCP's objective is to become the primary voice and the main service provider for the corporate contributions, community relations and employee volunteerism fields. However, it recognizes that other organizations can play a valuable role in meeting the different needs of its members. ACCP will continue to partner with these organizations—and will encourage member participation in other effective programs.

Q. Why is ACCP's tax status 501(c)(6) and not 501(c)(3)?

A. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit tax status is the same as professional associations like the Chamber of Commerce. Membership dues to ACCP give corporations the same tax write-off advantage as a business donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. ACCP is able to take vitally needed strong positions on behalf of the profession and return benefits to members without jeopardizing its tax standing.

Q. Will ACCP continue the Contributions Academy Management Forum?

A. Yes. The 4-day Forum, the corporate contributions "mini-MBA program," has been consistently rated the best entry-level and refresher program in the field. Its new title is the ACCP Contributions Academy Forum. The Forum, held annually in October, is customarily sold out; therefore, additional sessions may be added to the calendar each year.

Q. Can non-member companies still attend events like the Annual Conference and the Forum?

A. Yes, but they will pay substantially higher tuition fees. They are not eligible for the members-only ACCP Manager's Tooolkit or ACCP's Webcasts. They also are excluded from the annual Delegate Assembly meeting held at the close of the Annual Conference.

Q. Who runs ACCP?

Delegate Assembly (comprised of 1 voting member of each company) sets broad policy for the ACCP, including ACCP position on legislative issues, determining standards in the profession etc.
Board of directors enacts the policies set by the delegates
Executive director and staff carry out the mandates of the delegates and directors