what we do at APs

Strategic Planning is perhaps the most important aspect of philanthropy, since it guides all the activity that follows. It can also be overwhelming as well as excessively time consuming. At APS, we specialize in helping you determine the roadmap for your grantmaking and organizational goals, ensuring clarity every step of the way. We begin by clearly defining your values, then conduct a thorough needs analysis and engage stakeholders. Goal setting is next, and then we align the strategies for reaching those goals with the values and strengths identified earlier in the process. As philanthropy experts, APS can help you and your organization foster collaboration and partnerships, plan for continuous improvement, learning, and adaptation, communicate and report progress, and feed what we’ve learned back into the strategy to support and increase your effectiveness. 

Grantmaking begins with a deep understanding of your specific priorities and desired outcomes. Through research, evaluation, and evidence-based analysis, APS will partner with you to ensure that your innovative grantmaking program aims for the highest and best potential outcomes and the most effective solutions possible. By understanding what is and isn’t working for you, APS will make recommendations on how your grantmaking can be restructured to improve efficiency and effectiveness. We can also assist in partnering with other funders, state and local governments, and federal agencies to advance program sustainability beyond initial funding. 

Establishing a culture of trust and engagement has never been more important than it is today. Board and staff development involves much more than just choosing the right individuals. Engagement is every individual’s responsibility, and it’s a learned experience. APS will guide you in methods for developing mutual respect between board and staff, establishing flexible work arrangements, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, and designing healthy work environments. This all leads to greater success in achieving your organizational goals, and allows you, your board, and your staff to pursue your objectives for making the world a better place. 

When it comes to setting the tone for long-term sustainability, crafting by-laws that carefully consider crucial factors such as perpetuity, spending-down timelines, elections, separations, and term limits is critical. It is important to define clear roles and responsibilities, establish eligibility requirements for the next generation, and create a thoughtful roadmap for board appointments, ensuring seamless transitions in the future. Establishing governing policies and best practices that will serve as the cornerstone of how the organization will operate is key and must be addressed with care and attention to detail. That’s where APS steps in. 

With a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role of a Chief Executive in driving philanthropic initiatives forward, we partner with you to emphasize the importance of setting clear expectations for this leadership position. By creating a robust framework that outlines responsibilities and defines success metrics, in the by-laws and elsewhere, you can pave the way for the Chief Executive’s effectiveness and the realization of your philanthropic goals.

Fostering genuine interest and passion from the younger generation of family members can make a tremendous contribution to your foundation. While readiness can vary between individuals, programs for next generation development involving even the youngest family members can instill philanthropy as a core value and a way of life from an early age. By assisting you with integrating giving into their upbringing, we help you to cultivate a strong foundation for future generations to actively participate in meaningful philanthropic endeavors.

Our aim is to prepare your next generation family members’ approach to philanthropy to align with the best practices of the current board and key leadership, creating a harmonious and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. It is not only possible to foster a rich and meaningful environment that empowers each individual to contribute their unique perspectives and talents, it is imperative to do so both for legacy preservation and next generation growth. 

A well-designed and expertly facilitated meeting or event can make the difference between advancing your mission and getting stuck or even losing ground. A thoughtfully planned strategy can effectively help boards, teams, and community groups collectively achieve their objectives in a shorter time frame. Every meeting and event you host can and should be purposeful and results-driven. Gone are the days of leaving a meeting wondering about its purpose or feeling that your time was not well spent. APS can ensure that all gatherings are well-organized, with clear objectives and agendas designed to accomplish your goals, and inject a wide range of fun, engaging activities to keep your attendees focused and ready to get the job done.

Communication is an important aspect of philanthropic goals and can aid in the advancement of causes you care about. For individuals, philanthropic activities can lead to participation in the philanthropic and non-profit sectors, and be part of a greater movement in advancing society. For family business officers, philanthropy is a wonderful way to partner with the larger community and provide support in the regions where you do business. For 501(c)(3) philanthropic foundations and other organizations, communicating with donors, the public, and with government agencies is not only good policy but in many cases it is required by law. APS can assist you in designing an annual communication plan that aligns with the level of attention you seek and effectively conveys information about the pressing societal issues you care about. From crafting compelling annual reports to designing engaging newsletters and social media content, we preserve and promote your unique communication style so that you can showcase the progress, achievements, and impact of your philanthropic initiatives and the great work your nonprofit partners are doing. 

Preserving the legacy of a private philanthropic foundation is a vital aspect of ensuring its continued relevance and long-term impact. It is important to honor the original benefactor whose mission, vision and values formed the intent of the foundation, while also remaining responsive and adapting to societal changes and evolving needs. By designing and implementing unique grantmaking programs that magnify your benefactor’s legacy, and by meticulously crafting initiatives that embody their beliefs and aspirations, you can not only pay tribute to their memory but also propel their goals and ideals forward.

One key consideration in preserving a foundation’s legacy is maintaining a clear sense of purpose and mission. By defining and articulating your philanthropic goals and incorporating your founder’s values and aspirations into a well-defined mission statement, it is possible to adapt to the future while honoring the past. Clearly articulating the foundation’s purpose provides a guiding beacon for future decision-making and strategic planning. This is where APS, your philanthropy expert, comes in.

Engaging family members and other stakeholders in the philanthropic journey is another critical element of legacy preservation. Understanding the past while planning for the future adds depth and meaning to decisions for change. We can assist you in preserving your organizational history by creating a timeline that shows future generations when important changes were made, and why. Additionally, we can facilitate meaningful conversations and processes that involve key individuals in shaping your private foundation’s direction. By fostering open communication and encouraging diverse perspectives, you can create a sense of ownership and shared responsibility among stakeholders, ensuring the legacy is carried forward with passion and dedication.

The production of books and documentaries serves as a powerful medium for honoring and preserving the legacy of a foundation’s benefactor. These creative endeavors provide a platform for capturing their life, achievements, and impact, allowing their story to inspire and educate future generations and encourage them to carry on the mission, vision, and values of the benefactor. Whether you choose a documentary or a book, or both, APS will work closely with writers, researchers, filmmakers, and other creative professionals to develop captivating narratives that showcase the benefactor’s unique contributions.