Aly Sterling Philanthropy

What Aly Sterling Philanthropy does

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a privately held, founder-owned consulting firm headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, founded in the fall of 2007 by Aly Sterling after more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. The firm provides partnership-driven advisory services across four customer segments: nonprofits (board governance and strategic planning), individuals and families (philanthropic advising and foundation setup), foundations (capacity-building programs and coaching days for grantees), and corporations (corporate philanthropy program design and employee engagement). Core service offerings are Philanthropic Advising, Strategic Planning, Board Catalyst (built on the proprietary PEARL framework — Purpose, Education, Architecture, Results, Leadership), Corporate Philanthropy, and Workshops & Presentations delivered on-site or in Northwest Ohio. ASP is certified in the 21/64 multigenerational philanthropy approach and is a member of The Giving Institute.

The firm's product surface is anchored on two proprietary methodologies — the PEARL board governance framework and the Assess-Align-Act strategic planning process — and on the Philanthropy Blueprint, a 12-month donor relationship system. In addition to consulting, ASP operates The Nonprofit Store, a self-service e-commerce storefront selling downloadable DIY guides and templates individually priced $19-$49 and in bundles up to $139, designed to convert smaller-budget prospects into the firm's ecosystem.

The business model combines professional services revenue (hourly at $100-$250, day rates at $1,000-$2,500, plus flat-fee and retainer arrangements) with one-time digital product sales through The Nonprofit Store. Go-to-market is predominantly sales-led, direct consulting engagements supported by content marketing, SEO, email, organic social, podcast appearances, sponsored events such as the 2025 Giving USA Briefing, and client referrals; the store adds a parallel product-led, self-service channel at the bottom of the funnel. The firm maintains a distributed client base of 100+ organizations across arts and culture, legal aid, healthcare, community foundations, faith-based, education, youth development, and for-profit enterprises including NetJets, Owens Corning, The Andersons, Marcos Pizza, and Kroll.

Name

Aly Sterling Philanthropy

Legal name

Aly Sterling Philanthropy

Website

https://alysterling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a Toledo, Ohio-based, founder-owned consulting firm founded in 2007 that provides board governance, strategic planning, philanthropic advising, and corporate philanthropy services to nonprofits, foundations, high-net-worth individuals and families, and corporations, alongside a DIY digital product line called The Nonprofit Store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Consulting Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Nonprofit consulting
• Philanthropy advisory
• Board governance
• Strategic planning
• Fundraising consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Toledo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Nonprofit Consulting Services: Strategic planning and board governance consulting for nonprofits. Services include feasibility studies, capital campaign support, and organizational assessments. Billed hourly ($100-$250), daily ($1,000-$2,500), flat fee, or retainer.
2. Philanthropic Advising: Advising for individuals, families and foundations on philanthropy strategy, grantmaking systems, and family foundation setup. Ongoing accountability partnerships and strategic coaching.
3. Corporate Philanthropy Consulting: Program evaluations, stakeholder assessments, values exploration, and philanthropy program start-up for corporations. Employee and leadership retreat facilitation.
4. The Nonprofit Store (DIY Tools): E-commerce platform selling digital guides, templates and toolkits for nonprofits. Individual products ($19-$49) and bundled sets ($139). Revenue from one-time product sales.
5. Workshops & Training: Three workshop series: The Board Series, Board Member Accelerator Series, and The Fundraising Series. Capacity-building training for nonprofit leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a partnership-driven consulting firm that provides strategic planning, board governance, philanthropic advising, corporate philanthropy consulting, and capacity-building workshops to nonprofits, foundations, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals and families. In addition, the firm operates The Nonprofit Store, an e-commerce platform selling downloadable DIY guides, templates, and bundled toolkits for nonprofit fundraising, board governance, and strategic planning.

Product overview

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a partnership-driven consulting firm offering human-delivered nonprofit consulting services, not a unified software platform. The company provides two distinct offerings: (1) Consulting Services including Philanthropic Advising, Strategic Planning, Board Catalyst (board and leadership development), Corporate Philanthropy, and Workshops & Presentations; and (2) The Nonprofit Store, a DIY digital product marketplace selling downloadable guides and templates including How to Ask Your Donors for Money, How to Steward Donors, Board Member Job Description, Board and Executive Director Leadership Evaluations, Case for Support Part I & II, plus bundled product suites (Case for Support Suite and The Ultimate Starter Set). All consulting services are delivered by the firm's team of experienced professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Philanthropic Advising Consulting service helping individuals and families reach their philanthropy goals. Includes guidance on establishing foundation values, mission and vision; strategic objectives and goals; grantmaking systems; vetting of nonprofit causes; board meeting facilitation; next-generation engagement; and ongoing accountability partnerships.
• Strategic Planning Nonprofit strategic planning consulting using a three-step Assess-Align-Act process: Assess (evaluating current state and surveying stakeholders), Align (leading a strategic planning retreat), and Act (developing a cohesive action plan with priorities, goals, initiatives, KPIs and timelines).
• Board Catalyst (Board and Leadership Development) Board and leadership development consulting focusing on five components known as PEARL: Purpose, Education, Architecture, Results, and Leadership. Services include comprehensive board evaluation, board work plan development, and implementation support to assess, strengthen and energize nonprofit board members.
• Corporate Philanthropy Corporate philanthropy consulting helping companies of all sizes discover the good they can do for their communities and bottom lines. Services include program evaluations, company values exploration, philanthropy program start-up, cause platforms and giving policies, and employee and leadership retreat facilitation.
• Workshops & Presentations Practical workshops and training programs including The Board Series (building better boards), The Board Member Accelerator Series (empowering emerging leaders), and The Fundraising Series (building better fundraising strategies). Delivered in-person in Northwest Ohio or brought on-site to organizations' communities.
• How to Ask Your Donors for Money

Quantifiable outcome

• Nonprofits with engaged boards and clear strategies achieve sustainable growth and mission impact
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Clark Schaefer HackettminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Co-sponsor of Giving USA 2025 Briefing in Toledo. One of several sponsors for the free event presenting the nation's longest-running charitable giving report.
• Toledo Zoo and AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Co-sponsor and venue host for Giving USA 2025 Briefing. Event hosted at the Toledo Zoo Great Hall.
• Greater Toledo Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Co-sponsor of Giving USA 2025 Briefing in Toledo. Registration managed through their platform.
• Michael MoodyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Professor of Philanthropic Studies at Lily Family School of Philanthropy. Featured presenter at Giving USA 2025 Briefing discussing philanthropic trends and next gen donors.
• The Giving Institute™coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive national membership organization for consulting firms embracing ethics, excellence and leadership in advancing philanthropy. ASP is a proud member.
• Leadership ToledominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service organization connecting individuals with the community. Aly Sterling featured in video discussing the organization's impact on the Toledo region.
• CultureSourceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts and culture organization. Executive Director Omari Rush quoted as a regular client for training and guidance.
• Women's Money Wisdom PodcastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPodcast featuring Aly Sterling discussing strategic charitable giving in Episode 213. Hosted by Melissa Joy.
• First TeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational youth development organization. Aly delivered keynote at First Tee National Summit November 2024 on creating a joyous culture of philanthropy.
• cityCURRENTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia platform. Jeremy Park interviewed Aly Sterling for Doing Right Spotlight on philanthropy tips for nonprofits and businesses.
• Toledo Regional Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional business organization. Featured Aly Sterling in video profile Making it Matter in Toledo.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heller Consulting (Backoffice Conversational) / Heller Fundraising Group: Nonprofit consultancy offering strategic planning, board governance, and capital campaign services — peer competing in the same mid-sized nonprofit and association segment ASP serves.
• Alexander Haas: Giving Institute-member consultancy focused on philanthropy, fundraising campaigns, and board/leadership consulting — closest mid-sized, partner-driven peer with the same nonprofit-and-foundation client base as ASP.
• Campbell & Company: National, Giving Institute-member nonprofit fundraising and strategy consulting firm serving nonprofits, foundations and corporations — direct competitor to ASP with similar services (campaign counsel, strategic planning, board development) but at significantly larger scale.
• CCS Fundraising: Large global fundraising and strategic consulting firm specializing in nonprofit campaigns, philanthropic advising, and board services — directly competes for the same nonprofit, foundation, and corporate social-responsibility engagements that ASP pursues.
• Hilborn Group: National nonprofit consulting firm with practice areas including fundraising, strategic planning, and governance — direct competitor targeting many of the same capacity-building engagements ASP wins.
• M. Jackson Group: National consulting firm serving nonprofits, foundations, and corporations on fundraising, strategic planning, and board leadership — comparable boutique alternative to ASP, both being partner-led rather than scaled platforms.
• Vandenberg Consulting: National consulting firm specializing in fund development, executive search, and strategic planning for nonprofits and foundations — directly comparable in service mix, especially around fundraising strategy and board effectiveness.

Emerging players

• Dini Partners: Smaller, partner-led philanthropy and fundraising consulting firm focused on mid-sized nonprofits and family foundations — closely mirrors ASP's boutique positioning and PEARL-style board/governance emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• BoardSource: National nonprofit membership organization and leader in board governance education, training, and resources — overlapping with ASP's Board Catalyst / PEARL practice area and representing both a potential partner and indirect competitor to ASP's board development offerings.
• Ketchum (Omnicom PR Group / Ketchum Philanthropy practice): Large global communications firm with a corporate social responsibility and philanthropy advisory practice — competes for corporate CSR, employee-engagement and foundation program engagements alongside ASP's Corporate Philanthropy line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AlySterlingPhilanthropy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aly-sterling-philanthropy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aly Sterling Philanthropy