Dear friends,

With so much going on around the country and world, and with many challenges facing our sector, I want to pause and say THANK YOU for trusting Avalon. I personally appreciate every opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get to work on behalf of our clients. This profession gives me clarity, purpose, and hope—and that makes all the difference. As ever, I am grateful to the Avalon team, to our colleagues and partners around the industry, and especially to our clients. You make a tremendous impact every day, and I’m so glad we’re in this together.

DAF Day is October 9

October 9 will mark the second annual DAF Day, a national giving event designed to inspire generosity through donor-advised funds. A recent article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy shared great advice on how to leverage DAF Day to kick off year-end and boost donor engagement. Their round-up of industry experts includes not one but two Avalon leaders! SVP and director of client services Jackie Biancolli Libby emphasized DAF Day participation, proactive donor education, and making DAF options visible on your nonprofit’s website. And marketing VP Barb Perell explained how DAF day strategies can be tailored to fit an organization’s budget and goals. With over $250 billion sitting in DAF accounts, this is a moment that nonprofits can’t afford to miss.

Effective Content Moderation

In case you missed it, Avalon recently shared guidance on content moderation through our LinkedIn page. Best practices are evolving with Meta’s new Community Review model, which has prompted an uptick in hate speech and user attrition on their platforms. Here’s what we recommend for navigating the current environment:

🧭 Expand Beyond Meta

While Meta remains a powerful advertising channel, we advise clients to diversify their media mix—testing new platforms and placements to reach fresh audiences and reduce reliance on any single source.

🧭 Leverage Moderation Assist

Meta’s Moderation Assist tool can auto-hide harmful comments while still allowing page admins to review and take manual action. We recommend layering in keyword filters for added coverage.

🧭 Know Your Options

Moderation can look different for each nonprofit. From individual comment deletion and user blocking to ad account adjustments—Avalon helps clients make informed decisions that balance performance with brand safety.

Resilience in Hard Times

Senior director of HR Melissa Ferrell shared a powerful story of resilience from Shaka Senghor, a speaker and author who spent 19 years in prison. Resilience, he teaches, isn’t about ignoring difficulty, but about finding ways to move through it with intention and hope. Senghor offers five pieces of advice for developing and leading resilience in hard times:

1. Tell yourself the truth.
2. You are not your worst decision.
3. Stillness is a superpower.
4. You can choose your thoughts.
5. Growth is nonlinear.

Avalon is Hiring

Avalon currently has two open positions for a senior account director and a fundraising program manager. Our employees accomplish truly impactful work in a positive environment with ample PTO, competitive compensation, and amazing benefits. Thank you for sharing these opportunities with your networks—and, if you’re looking for a new opportunity, please reach out!

“Avalon really is a great place to work. I’m passionate about its mission and the good work we provide to our clients, which enable them to fulfill their goals and grow. Benefits are excellent, and ‘work-life balance’ isn’t just a buzzword. Everyone cares about one another and the work that we all do.”

– Staff Testimonial

A Fun and Furry Tradition

The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) hosted another howling good time last Saturday at their 38th Annual Bark Ball. This was a truly special event for both HRA supporters and their furry friends, featuring entertainment by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos, a live auction, and extra treats for guests’ canine companions, of course. Thank you for having us!

Avalonians and friends (both two- and four-legged) at the 2025 Bark Ball.