American City Bureau was founded in New York City in 1913 by Edgar and Harold Buttenheim to provide professional counsel to community leaders in conducting civic fund raising campaigns for nonprofit organizations.
In 1935, American City Bureau joined other fund raising firms to form the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel, founded to preserve high ethical standards in the field. During its first three decades, the firm worked closely with local chambers of commerce, conducting organizational and membership campaigns and publishing manuals on civic leadership. Since the 1940's the firm's primary focus has been conducting fund raising campaigns for churches, colleges, YMCAs and YWCAs, and other nonprofit organizations. In 1962, American City Bureau merged with Howard T. Beaver and Associates, and became known as American City Bureau/Beaver Associates. In the 1980's, the firm was renamed American City Bureau. During the 1920's, the firm established headquarters in Chicago, and moved to Hoffman Estates, Illinois in the 1980's.
From the description of American City Bureau, Inc. Records, 1919-1985. (Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis). WorldCat record id: 30575020
