Ashley Russo Receives Outstanding Philanthropist Award
The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter, honors individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of generosity on National Philanthropy Day.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter (AFPGLV) presented Ashley Russo, owner of ASR Media and Fig Lehigh Valley, with the 2025 Outstanding Philanthropist Award during this year’s National Philanthropy Day (NPD) celebration on Thursday, Nov. 20.
“Being honored in this way is incredibly humbling because the heart of this work has never been about recognition,” said Russo. “This award is meaningful, but it belongs to every volunteer, board member and partner who shows up day after day to make our community stronger. Whether it’s raising scholarship dollars or shaving my head for pediatric cancer research, I’m committed to doing whatever I can to support the people and organizations that make this region so special.”
The Outstanding Philanthropist Award is presented to an individual or family that demonstrates exceptional generosity through direct charitable support to the community, exhibits civic and charitable responsibility, and sets a model of generosity that encourages others to engage in philanthropy and community involvement.
Russo’s philanthropic impact can be felt across the Lehigh Valley, where she has become a dedicated advocate for organizations serving the region.
This year, Russo further demonstrated her commitment to service by shaving her head during the St. Baldrick’s “Steel Nation Shaves for the Brave” event, raising over $211,000 to support the Arden Quinn Bucher Memorial Fund.
As co-chair and master of ceremonies of Northampton Community College’s Food & Wine Gala, she has helped raise more than $3.1 million to support student scholarships, including a record-breaking $350,000 in 2025. She also co-chairs Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Golf for Girl Scouts annual fundraiser and has led major community initiatives, including the American Heart Association’s 2025 Lehigh Valley and Berks Heart Ball, and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s annual campaign.
Russo serves on the boards of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, the Children’s Home of Easton, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC) and Hospital Central Services Inc. & Affiliates, and contributes her expertise to committees supporting Wildlands Conservancy, Girl Scouts of Eastern PA's Take the Lead Lehigh Valley and United Way’s Women United. Additionally, Russo is a member of the Tugboat Institute and United Way’s Tocqueville Society.
Russo’s dedication has been recognized with numerous leadership honors, including the Grace Montessori Lifetime Learning Award, LifePath’s Community Service Person of the Year, Girl Scouts of Eastern PA’s Take the Lead Award, United Way’s Community Builder Award, Women United Philanthropist of the Year and GLVCC’s Volunteer of the Year.
The purpose of NPD is to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy to the enrichment of the world. Originally conceived of and organized by Douglas Freeman in the 1980s, the first official NPD events were held in 1986, following President Reagan's signing of the official NPD proclamation. NPD celebrates the endless daily contributions individuals and organizations across the world make to countless causes and missions.
View all of the 2025 NPD honorees by visiting community.afpglobal.org/afpgreaterlv/events/npd/npd-2025