About Erdle Consulting Group
Erdle Consulting Group draws on decades of nonprofit and foundation expertise—combined with the latest in philanthropic best practices—to challenge discerning donors to rethink their giving, providing a personalized assessment and actionable roadmap to achieve transformative, purpose-driven impact.
With over 30 years of experience supporting the philanthropic ecosystem—including nonprofits, communities, businesses, individuals, and foundations—Erdle Consulting Group has witnessed firsthand the systemic inefficiencies that hold back transformative change.
Philanthropy in the U.S. is a $550+ billion capital market—yet it remains fragmented, slow-moving, and often hamstrung by donor restrictions that limit nonprofits’ ability to fulfill their missions. Decision-making is notoriously sluggish, while the challenges facing our communities grow ever more complex and urgent. Nonprofits spend an outsized portion of their time and resources fundraising and chasing annual grants, rather than focusing on long-term impact. Meanwhile, donors and foundations, inundated by information and choices, often experience “giving paralysis”—uncertain how to make their contributions truly matter.
While private philanthropy cannot—and should not—replace government funding, it does possess a unique privilege: the ability to act swiftly, flexibly, and with bold accountability. The question is, will we or can we rise to meet this moment and unlock the sector’s true potential?
Our Expertise in the Philanthropic Ecosystem
- Strategic Philanthropy & Governance:
Crafting philanthropic plans and governance frameworks rooted in your unique values, systems thinking, and decisive leadership. - Operational Excellence & Impact:
Establishing structures for operational effectiveness, implementing evidence-based grantmaking, and rigorously measuring impact. - Collaborative Partnerships & Community Engagement:
Fostering trust and alignment among donors, boards, foundations, nonprofits, and communities—centering community voices and convening key stakeholders for collective action. - Learning, Advocacy & Knowledge Building:
Curating ongoing learning, deepening issue expertise, and navigating advocacy efforts in partnership with local government for sustainable, systemic change.
Erdle Consulting Group provides an expert, external perspective to help you solve your strategic issues, from resource development to a staff transition, to launching a new idea or exploring a different approach to your annual fundraising or capital campaign.
How?
The Philanthropic Practice: Your Roadmap from Giving to Impact
At Erdle Consulting Group (ECG), we believe that true philanthropic impact starts with a plan—and evolves into a lifelong practice. The Philanthropic Practice is our signature, proprietary approach that sets us apart and delivers lasting value to philanthropists and their advisors.
How We Consult:
- Point-in-Time Assessment:
We begin with a comprehensive assessment of your current philanthropic landscape—exploring your values, giving concepts, time and talent inventory, and next-generation goals. This diagnostic forms the foundation for your unique Philanthropic Practice. - Holistic Review and Philanthropic Plan:
Our process examines every dimension of your giving, including operational needs, governance structures (systems, processes, and decision-making tools), grantmaking strategies, and desired impact. We bring clarity to where you are and where you want to go. This plan can be created with your advisory team to ensure synergy across wealth planning platforms and goals. - Philanthropy Best Practices (“PBP”) Dashboard:
We evaluate your practices with those of top performing foundations and philanthropies, giving you an idea of tools and models for catalytic philanthropy. - Priority Mapping & Flexible Implementation:
Together, we identify priority areas for action. You can choose to implement these initiatives with ECG’s ongoing support, independently, or with access to our trusted network of expert consultants. - Curated Learning Paths:
Once priorities are established, we can bring you up to speed with the knowledge you need to ask the right questions, give independently or take the next right step as your giving evolves.
The ECG Advantage:
The Philanthropic Practice by Erdle Consulting Group provides an expert, unbiased guide to help you move quickly from giving to measurable impact. We offer a unique value-add for your financial, legal, accounting, and investment advisors—ensuring your philanthropic vision is seamlessly integrated with your overall wealth strategy.
With ECG, philanthropy becomes a dynamic, evolving practice. We are your trusted partner on this journey, equipping you to lead, learn, and create lasting change.
