The Philadelphia Committee on City Policy can trace its roots and basic concept to the Philadelphia Committee on Public Affairs (PCPA), a civic affairs group that evolved from the City Club, founded around 1905. It was established as a luncheon group formed to "bring people together interested in public affairs and to give them a place to meet, talk and act". PCPA inspired Walter Phillips, Ed Bacon and other notables to establish a new group in 1940 that would not only allow women, but also focus on "enlisting Philadelphia's young and the politically active". This new organization became known as the City Policy Committee (CPC).
By the late 1940's due to the formation of other organizations, fulfilling purposes promoted by CPC, there was a slackening of interest. While still providing a valuable stimulus to public endeavor and a clearing house for exchange of information and ideas on civic affairs, it became apparent that a new organization should be formed. Merging the ideas of these like minded orgnizations, on January 8, 1952 the name and organization Philadelphia Committee on City Policy (PCCP) was established.
The current mission of PCCP is to keep our members and interested parties informed on matters involving city and regional public policy, serve as a bridge between government, non-profits and the private sector and be a catalyst for sound public discussion. PCCP holds monthly forums featuring speakers from government, business, non-profits and other public interested groups. PCCP often collaborates with other civic groups in presenting forums and occasionally holds member-only policy briefings on cutting edge issues.
PCCP has carried on the tradition of CPC's concept of "charter luncheons" at a centrally located meeting place, now held at The McCormick & Schmick's, to learn about and discuss the issues facing the city and region.
PCCP is striving to provide the information needed to affect change by adhering to Walter Phillips' statement:
"No important change is accomplished in city, state or national affairs except though the action of a group who not only have the understanding of the problems, but also understanding of each other and confidence in one another".