Forum 2025: A CSR Intensive

April 7-10, 2025
Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection
Chicago, IL
Overview

Are you ready to dive into the world of corporate social impact and accelerate your career? ACCP Forum is the premier educational experience designed for professionals new to the field (with one to three years of experience) in corporate social impact. This immersive program delivers hands-on learning alongside a close-knit cohort of peers, equipping you with the knowledge and connections to excel in the field.

At Forum, you’ll build a foundational understanding of CSR’s core components while developing a career-long network of peers. Walk away with a certificate of participation, solidifying your growth and commitment to driving meaningful change in your organization and beyond.

Why Attend?
  • Gain real-world examples and diverse perspectives:  Gain practical insights into the key aspects of corporate social responsibility through dynamic sessions and interactive discussions.
  • Build your professional network: Connect with peers and industry experts who will support your career growth long after the program concludes.
  • Accelerate your career: With deeper knowledge and new skills, you’ll be better positioned to lead impactful initiatives within your company.
Learning Outcomes
  • Understand ways CSR can contribute to the business and regulations.
  • Gain insights into how to weave equitable and inclusive practices into corporate social impact.
  • Explore the broad program areas of CSR and the variations across organizations.
  • Benchmark employee engagement programs and hear insights into how to boost participation.
  • Build a trusted network of CSR professionals to share best practices and collaborate on solutions.
  • Dive into some of the basic complexities of domestic and international giving, understanding compliance and legal implications.
  • Expand your knowledge on impact measurement and how to drive data-informed decisions
Who Should Attend?
  • Open to both ACCP members and non-members, Forum is perfect for CSR professionals new in the field (ideally up to 3 years) that are looking for some of the basic concepts of corporate social impact and are looking to understand the full breadth and depth of the field. 
  • Whether your role sits in marketing, legal, government affairs, or another department, if CSR, DEI, or ESG is part of your portfolio, this program is designed for you. 
  • Ideal for professionals seeking to understand CSR’s foundational practices, current trends, and best practices in grantmaking, volunteerism, disaster relief, and impact measurement.
  • Come ready to actively engage in cohort discussions, reflect on your experiences, and exchange ideas with peers who share a passion for corporate social impact. 
  • If you’re looking to expand your understanding of the varied approaches to CSR across organizations, and are open to learning from diverse perspectives, Forum is your ideal space. 

SPEAKERS

Sarah Groninger
Director of Partnership Development
GlobalGiving

Devin Mathias
Senior Director of Development,
Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Megan Mozina
Owner & Principal,
Cresta Solutions

Patty Pannkuk
Senior Community Relations Manager – Midwest Region
Wells Fargo Public Affairs

Steven Shaw
Community Engagement Director
Verizon

Kris Taylor
VP, Global Community Impact And President
Ecolab Foundation

Daily Agenda

Day 1 - April 7th, 2025
2:30 - 3:15 pmWelcome & Introductions
3:15 - 4:00 pmStructuring Social Impact: Terminology, Roles & Intersections
4:00 - 4:15 pmBreak
4:15 - 5:00 pmBreakout Sessions on Organization Structure & Responsibilities
5:00 - 5:30 pmWrap up
5:30 - 8:00 pmForum Welcome Reception - Hosted by ACCP CEO Andrea Wood
Day 2 - April 8th, 2025
8:00 - 8:45 AMBreakfast & Networking
8:45 - 10:00 AMImpact Measurement & Logic Models
10:00 - 10:15 AMBreak
10:15 - 10:45 AMDEI & ESG - State of Corporations Today
10:45 - 11:15 AMCase Study - Opportunity Crossing
11:15 AM - 12:00 PMA Model for Equitable Development in Minneapolis with Wells Fargo
12:00 - 12:45 PMLunch
12:45 - 2:30 PMExpanding Change Management & Influencing Without Authority
2:30 - 3:00 PMBreak
3:00 - 3:45 PMBreakouts
3:45 - 4:30 PMAligning to the Business - Positioning Yourself Within the Company
4:30 - 5:15 PMAsk Me Anything - Career Development
5:15 - 5:30 PMWrap up
5:30 - 8:00 PMDinner & Optional Social Activity
Day 3 - April 9th, 2025
8:00 - 8:45 AMBreakfast & Networking
8:45 - 9:30 AMGrantmaking & Equity
9:30 - 10:00 AMTravel to Offsite Location
10:00 - 11:00 AMPanel on Strategic Partnerships
11:00 AM - 12:15 PMTour of North Lawndale Employment Network and beelove cafe
12:30 - 1:00 PMTravel Back to Hotel
1:00 - 1:30 PMLunch and Debrief on Off-site Visit
1:30 - 2:30 PMVehicles of Corporate Philanthropy
2:30 - 3:15 PMInternational Giving
3:15 - 3:45 PMBreakouts - Grant Process & Requirements
3:45 - 4:00 PMBreak
4:00 - 5:15 PMDisaster Relief
5:15 - 5:30 PMWrap up
5:30 PMFree evening/dinner on your own
Day 4 - April 10th, 2025
8:00 - 8:45 AMBreakfast & Networking
8:45 - 10:00 AMEmployee Engagement
10:00 - 10:30 AMBreakouts - Volunteer Programs (by Workforce type)
10:30 - 11:15 AMCause Marketing/Fundraising
11:15 - 11:30 AMBreak
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMTech Trends in CSR
12:15 - 12:45 PMCSR Engagement Platform User Group open discussion
12:45 - 1:30 PMLunch and Debrief on Forum Takeaways
1:30 - 2:15 PMMatching Gifts & Workplace Giving
2:15 - 3:00 PMFinal Wrap up and open discussion

Forum Off-Site Event 

April 9, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM 

At Forum, not only do we want our participants to learn best practices, network and share real world experiences but we want to give you the chance to see programs and community impact in action. 

We are so excited for Forum participants to travel offsite to visit the North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN).  

Participants will have the chance to learn more about this beloved Chicago nonprofit serving under- and unemployed residents, many returning from incarceration and others who face the day-to-day hardships of living without enough income to support themselves and their families.  

During this offsite excursion, Forum attendees will tour the facility, hear from program managers and participants, and engage with a panel discussion between NLEN and a few of its corporate funders on Signature Partnerships on ways to strengthen relationships with our Grantees. 

As a “sweet” bonus, participants will get a chance to sample some of NLEN’s delicious offerings and skincare products in The Beelove Café 

This is your opportunity to get out of the classroom and into the Chicago community, as you spend three full days of corporate social impact learning. You’ll leave inspired and excited to bring back what you know to apply to your own partnerships! 

Tuition Rates

Your tuition includes three full days of immersive learning, opportunities to connect, breakfast and lunch on session days, an off-site excursion in Chicago to experience a signature CSR program in action, and a happy hour with local CSR/ESG professionals. 

2025 Tuition Rates:
  • ACCP Members: $2,695 
  • Non-Members: $3,695 
Deadlines
  • Registration Deadline – March 21
  • Room Block Deadline – March 21
Hotel Reservations

Our room rate at the Hotel Chicago Downtown is $195 per night. Please use the link below to make your reservation. Please note that the room rate will show as $220 when making the reservation due to a $25 destination fee. That fee will be removed at guest check-in. Book your room under ACCP’s group rate.

Click here for an overview of Forum 2024.

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