APCO Takes Next Step to Deepen its Social Impact, Sustainability Capabilities by Acquiring Global Philanthropy Group (GPG)

GPG has helped clients to be pioneers in philanthropy for more than decade

Washington – January 14, 2021: APCO Worldwide continued to grow its philanthropy and corporate purpose capabilities today, acquiring the Global Philanthropy Group (GPG), a consulting firm specializing in helping individuals, foundations and corporations design and implement philanthropic strategies and programs, Founder and Executive Chairman Margery Kraus announced today.

“We are thrilled to welcome GPG to the APCO family. These are game-changing professionals, who have been helping clients pioneer the way philanthropy is done for more than a decade, working in every region of the world, and on the most pressing problems.” Kraus said. “In a year of unprecedented upheaval—where systemic inequities and challenges were laid bare—we are continuously deepening our capabilities to help clients make sense of, respond to and drive their impact on global issues. This added strength will further extend our work on social and environmental issues—from racial justice and women’s empowerment to climate and ESG. We are excited and inspired by GPG’s work, and look forward to combining their philanthropic expertise with our global team of seasoned public affairs, communications and advocacy professionals.”

GPG, co-founded by Trevor Neilson, brings decades of experience in foundation strategy and operations, having worked with some of the biggest names in philanthropy—shining a light on critical global challenges and sparking movements to drive social good. They also help high-net-worth individuals and celebrities establish, run and drive impact through foundations and non-profits as well as corporate philanthropic efforts. GPG also operates the Global Philanthropy Foundation, a 501c3 foundation with a mission to build the capacity of high-potential charitable projects and programs through fiscal sponsor services.

“The world faces an unprecedented number of crises and it is time that corporate and philanthropic leaders fully engage in solving them,” Neilson said. “I believe there is no advisory firm better positioned to help CEO’s and philanthropists design and implement sophisticated plans to create positive social impact than APCO.”

GPG will become part of a larger Impact & Sustainability group, under the leadership of Denielle Sachs, who founded The Tembo Group^SM (Tembo), a social impact advisory firm based in New York, acquired by APCO in 2020. As one of the first agencies to have a Sustainable Growth & Corporate Purpose practice, APCO has continued to evolve with the changing world, continuously developing its social impact and sustainability capabilities to better serve its clients. The acquisition of GPG is the latest step in APCO’s continued journey of growth and expansion, and will provide a fresh injection of technical expertise in foundation operations, grant management and programmatic strategy into APCO’s toolbox.

In addition to Neilson, other GPG staff joining APCO include Stephanie Green, Kelly Chrystal, Szena Dayo, Amanda Shadiack, Kika Chatterjee and Faiza Riaz.

For more than 35 years, APCO has been a trusted advisor and partner to private, public and nonprofit clients as they try to identify and manage new and emerging issues, challenges and opportunities around the world. Founded by Kraus as a single-person operation in 1984, APCO has grown to a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy with offices in more than 30 markets and experience working in more than 80 markets globally, providing in-depth advice, perceptive guidance and creative approaches for its clients.