Aly Sterling Philanthropy was founded in Toledo, Ohio in the fall of 2007, rooted in a simple but powerful belief: the ability to succeed at raising money and advancing a mission shouldn't be the privilege of large, well-resourced organizations alone. Founder Aly Sterling brought more than two decades of sector experience to bear when she launched the firm, driven by the conviction that all nonprofits could reach their goals with effective boards and volunteers, clear strategies, and a genuine commitment to accountability. More than fifteen years later, ASP has grown into a nationally recognized, partnership-driven consulting firm powering the philanthropic sector from coast to coast. We are a proud member of The Giving Institute™ — an exclusive community of national consulting firms united by core values of ethics, excellence, and leadership in advancing philanthropy. Our client base is intentionally diverse, from nonprofit arts and culture organizations and community foundations to corporate CSR programs and high-net-worth family foundations, with the success and respect of our clients remaining the one constant.

We are a small, talented team of experienced professionals who truly love what we do and understand the dynamics of the philanthropic sector — traits that result in success the first time. Led by President and Founder Aly Sterling, our team represents decades of hands-on expertise spanning nonprofit governance, strategic planning, philanthropic advising, corporate social responsibility, and capacity-building for foundations. We don't parachute in with generic solutions; we become a true partner, an extension of your team — the kind of people who care deeply about your mission, roll up their sleeves, and stay the course until meaningful change takes hold. We bring that same commitment to every client we serve, whether they're a multigenerational family building a giving legacy or a well-positioned nonprofit ready to chart a bold new direction.

We are consultants in both giving and receiving, and our services reflect that dual expertise. For nonprofits, we provide strategic planning and board and leadership development through our Board Catalyst approach, helping organizations assess their current state, align leadership around shared priorities, and act on a bold, measurable plan. For individuals, families, and private foundations, our Philanthropic Advising services help create cohesive, purpose-driven giving strategies — from establishing a foundation's mission and grantmaking protocols to engaging the next generation of family leaders. For corporations, we help companies of all sizes build or enhance authentic, integrated philanthropy programs that strengthen community ties, engage employees, and support long-term business goals. For community foundations, we deliver capacity-building services — including nationally recognized workshops, on-site coaching days, and peer-to-peer learning series — that equip entire communities of nonprofits to thrive.

Our mission is to improve communities and change lives by amplifying the work of our clients and partners. We believe nonprofits are the backbone of society, contributing to quality of life in profound ways — from arts and culture to health care, housing, and human services. When these organizations are plentiful, healthy, and high-functioning, everyone benefits. That belief fuels everything we do: every strategic plan we facilitate, every board we help energize, every giving strategy we help shape. We exist to make the philanthropic sector stronger so that it can do more of what it does best — serve people and build communities worth living in.

As a proud member of The Giving Institute™, we operate according to the core values of ethics, excellence, and leadership in advancing philanthropy. Those aren't words on a wall — they shape how we work with every client, every day. We believe in honest assessments over comfortable ones, in bold plans grounded in what is actually achievable, and in remaining accountable not just to the organizations we serve but to the communities those organizations exist to help. We bring personal integrity to every engagement, and we expect the same of ourselves that we ask of our clients: show up, follow through, and measure what matters.

When you work with Aly Sterling Philanthropy, you're not getting a vendor — you're getting a committed partner who brings deep sector knowledge, personal attention, and a track record of results. Our experience is intentionally diverse; we've worked alongside changemakers across every nonprofit sector, from arts and culture to legal aid, from animal welfare to community foundations, and from family philanthropy to Fortune 500 CSR programs. We serve as a neutral, skilled third party able to move leadership teams to consensus, surface what internal voices sometimes cannot, and give you access to national best practices tailored to your specific challenges and opportunities. We also offer The Nonprofit Store — a collection of high-quality, affordable DIY tools built on those same best practices — because we believe that leveling the playing field for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes is part of our mandate. Whether you need comprehensive consulting or a trusted sounding board, we maximize your investment of time and money for the biggest possible impact.

Giving back isn't something we talk about — it's something we do. As a firm and as individuals, we commit time, talent, and treasure to causes we believe in. Sometimes that means our team members are serving on boards or offering professional skills pro bono; other times it means volunteering on the frontlines as a cog in the wheel of the greater good. To support that culture of service, ASP provides an annual corporate match for individuals' charitable donations and offers unlimited paid volunteer hours. Our philanthropic focus areas include lifting up the clients we serve beyond the scope of paid work, supporting local grassroots nonprofits whose homegrown missions are positively affecting our community, and advancing equity for women-led and women-focused organizations.

Equity is woven into both how we work and who we champion. As part of our own giving strategy, we specifically prioritize support for women-led and women-focused nonprofits — reflecting a commitment to addressing systemic gaps in funding and visibility for these organizations. In our consulting work, we help clients build more diverse, inclusive boards by analyzing skill and demographic gaps and recruiting members with varied backgrounds and perspectives. We believe that broader representation in nonprofit governance and philanthropy leads directly to stronger organizations and more equitable communities.