Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who supported The Nonprofit Alliance’s call to action to protect the Combined Federal Campaign—and to TNPA for leading the way. This issue is ongoing, so please follow TNPA on LinkedIn if you haven’t already. Challenges like these are difficult, but I’m always encouraged when I see our industry unite to support nonprofits, donors, and each other. Whatever comes, we will face it together.

Data-Driven Strategy

Writing for The NonProfit Times, Roger Hiyama outlined five ways that nonprofits can use data to offset the “fundraising pinch” caused by sector-wide challenges like donor attrition, postage hikes, and federal uncertainty. In times when your mission is more important than ever, and pressure on budgets intensifies, efficient and effective fundraising is especially critical. These data strategies are a great start for mailing smarter, tapping the full potential of your donor file, and optimizing fundraising across channels. Your Avalon team and Avalon Analytics are here for you every step of the way.

Digital Ads Webinar

On September 18, Avalon digital VP Catherine Wallwork, Avalon senior director of paid media Andrea Thorn, and National Museum of the American Indian director of membership David Saunders will lead a Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association webinar on Digital Ads: Making an Impact with a Small Budget. Participants can expect real-world case studies, actionable tips, and a roadmap for smarter media planning. This live webinar is free to attend, and DMFA members will have access to the event recording. Register here!

AI Literacy

The Washington Post ran a helpful piece on AI literacy last week, emphasizing caution and precision when using AI for research. Drawing from both in-house tests and interviews with professional AI librarians, the article recommends five best practices to ensure that your AI queries save time without costing accuracy:

1. Start with Google’s AI Mode—not AI overviews.
2. Be very, very specific.
3. Beware of AI blind spots.
4. Check the answer citations (really).
5. Ask the same question twice (or three times).

Communication Corner

Senior director of HR Melissa Ferrell shared an important insight on how uncertainty impacts interpersonal communications. According to The Management Center, uncertainty can elevate anxiety, which in turn generates what they call “crispiness” and conflict. “When we feel ‘crispy,’ it’s harder to hear feedback, assume good intentions, and communicate clearly.” So, consider this an invitation to offer yourselves and others patience today. Slow down and reset when you need to. And we’ll be doing the same! No one is immune from stress, and everyone deserves the space and grace they need to recover.

The Management Center’s “Steps to Soften the Edge”

1. Do a micro-reset
   If you find yourself prickling, pause and try to reset.
2. Get perspective
   Perspective-taking requires you to put yourself in others’ shoes and notice your assumptions.
3. Voice the “rants in your pants”
   Find a neutral, trusted person you can vent to confidentially (if it’s a colleague, be mindful of power dynamics), or pull out your journal.
4. Name the crispiness
   Most of us don’t hide our frustration well. So, if you’re feeling it (or noticing it), open a door to talk about it. Your team will thank you.

Objects of Affection

At our most recent virtual gathering, Avalonians were asked to bring objects that tell a story from their lives, and it was amazing! Highlights included denture-style salt and pepper shakers, souvenirs from memorable trips, unique wedding cake toppers, beautiful quilts, sentimental jewelry, comforting casserole dishes, a Tammany Hall-era bank that pockets your quarters, a tiny ceramic king-cake king, a carved wooden crocodile, unique and meaningful drawings, a childhood teddy bear, and a stolen ashtray from a 1960s bar mitzvah. All these things tell a story. Thank you to everyone who shared and to senior director of copywriting David Wolkin for organizing this special staff event.

Six objects shared by Avalonians (clockwise from top left): a Carnegie medal, a wedding cake topper, a handmade quilt, a snail statuette, a ring with birth flowers, and a pair of mismatched earrings.