YOUR TRUSTED PHILANTHROPY PARTNER

Guiding donors, foundations, and their advisors toward giving that empowers nonprofits and the communities they support.

Philanthropy can feel overwhelming. Donors, foundations, and their advisors often arrive with good intentions, but assessing opportunities, gauging effectiveness, and engaging the next generation can quickly become a full-time job. That's where Erdle Consulting comes in.

We help you secure your philanthropic legacy by sharpening your planning, focus, and follow-through.

ABOUT US

OUR EXPERTISE

Erdle Consulting brings clarity to the complex world of philanthropy, helping individuals and foundations build giving plans that deliver greater impact, align with their values, engage their families, and strengthen their communities. Allison Erdle has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, organizational consulting, and foundation management.

She partners closely with each client to craft a philanthropic strategy rooted in their personal and family culture, values, and needs, drawing on the best of practices from leading foundations and philanthropists.

OUR APPROACH

The Philanthropy Practice ensures your giving identifies and reflects your values and goals while following informed and supported practices in the philanthropy industry. You'll receive a clear plan that defines your philanthropic identity, best operating structure, grantmaking priorities, and strategic focus, along with tools to measure your impact.

Working alongside your advisors, we align your plan with your existing tax, estate, and wealth planning, as well as any foundation or Donor Advised Fund structures already in place. We also help bring the next generation into the process, so your family's giving and your legacy continue for years to come.

Products + Services

 

After an initial free consultation, Erdle Consulting Group will provide you with recommendations for the best package to meet your individual needs. Most clients look to ECG for support building or executing the following: 

Philanthropic Clarity Plan (Tier 1)

Outcome-focused engagement plan to focus philanthropy efforts on maximum impact.

Best for: Individuals, couples, or families giving modestly and/or to fewer than 10 organizations annually, that are ready for a clear, actionable roadmap.

What's Included:

  • Individual discovery interview(s) using our four-domain assessment framework
  • Written Philanthropic Assessment benchmarking current giving practices against best practices
  • A Strategic Giving Roadmap: values-aligned priorities, giving-structure recommendation (DAF, foundation, direct, or hybrid), and a 1–3-year framework
  • Final working session to review and finalize the roadmap together

 

Strategy & Implementation Plan (Tier 2)

A detailed plan that includes action steps for more complex philanthropy models. 

Best for: Families and foundations with larger funding needs, more grant priorities, multiple decision-makers, or next-generation stakeholders who need the plan translated into concrete next steps.

What's Included:

Everything in Tier 1, Plus

  • Facilitated Family Session with the full stakeholder group — values mapping and consensus-building
  • Nonprofit due diligence and vetting for priority organizations
  • Governance and entity-structuring guidance where a foundation or DAF change is on the table
  • A written action plan with sequenced timeline, roles, and grantmaking decision criteria
  • Initial coordination touchpoint with the client's estate, tax, or investment advisor

 

Partnership & Implementation (Tier 3)
Ongoing, long-term partner to execute giving plans and handle the details so philanthropy doesn’t become your full-time job. 

Best for: Family foundations and multi-generational families with larger funding needs, more grant priorities who want an ongoing partner running the plan alongside them, not just a document to execute alone.

What's Included:

Everything in the Strategy and Implementation Plan package, plus

  • Ongoing retainer with regular monthly or quarterly check-ins
  • Full advisor coordination — tax accountant, estate attorney, investment manager, family office — as a standing part of the relationship
  • Next-generation engagement and philanthropic education as a recurring practice
  • Annual grantmaking strategy, due diligence, and impact measurement/reporting
  • Board or family meeting facilitation as needed
  • Community and ecosystem convening — community foundations, peer funders, issue-area network. 
Learn more about our products and services
puzzle pieces
View our PRODUCTS+SERVICES
Philanthropy Practice Logo

[Allison's] fundraising plan enabled us to raise the necessary funds to host a series of well attended events in a variety of settings that appealed to high net worth donors. Beyond her fundraising skills, Allison is a pleasure to work with ...

- Kirstie Tucker, DC Fly-ins/Catesby Commemorative Trust

I can’t speak highly enough about Erdle Consulting Group. Allison has done a tremendous job in a short period of time to help us both plan our development work going forward and operationalize the work needing to be accomplished. Her skill level in the field is unsurpassed and even goes beyond expectations.

- John Porter, Former CEO, ACT for Alexandria

Allison helped TATE Global, a startup, translate our previous experience in the government contracting world to the NGO and multinational corporate sectors.  She assisted us with the development of strategic marketing plans and served as a valuable advisor during the early stages of our company's growth.  She worked diligently to help us secure business in a competitive business climate.

-David Ayres, Tate Inc.

I wish you could have been in the shop when I showed your 50 year Impact report with the team. Everyone had such big smiles on their faces seeing pictures of our youth included! Extra fun for us.

-Emily Gage, Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes, Washington Forrest Foundation Grant Partner

Erdle Consulting assisted us with our outreach needs to gain community support to entitle a 300-unit multi-family redevelopment in Arlington County. They work seamlessly with community groups, county staff and others to support project needs.

- Eleventh Street Development, LLC

WORK WITH US