Dear friends,

Happy GivingTuesday! I’m thrilled to see our clients’ campaigns come to life and excited to follow along as Avalon uses real-time data to optimize strategy and outcomes. In the days ahead, we will share trend analysis, assess the state of this year’s giving, and finalize year-end campaigns. Thank you to our staff, clients, and industry partners for their hard work to make this GivingTuesday a success.

Sector Solidarity

Thank you to The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA) for continuing to lead the way on united efforts to protect nonprofits. I am personally committed to this work, and Avalon is proud to show up for our clients and the nonprofit sector. It can be daunting to speak out, but I truly believe that we are strongest together. So, I urge you to follow and support TNPA’s work, which currently includes (1) unified, nonpartisan sector defense; (2) a resource hub for nonprofits under threat; and (3) strategic, evidence-based messaging that conveys the critical importance of nonprofits and reaches the press, policymakers, the private sector, and the public.

“By standing together, regardless of mission focus or perceived political leaning, we prevent the targeting of organizations one by one.”

– The Nonprofit Alliance

Help Protect Donor Privacy

In November, TNPA issued a donor privacy action alert for nonprofits. A case in the federal court system, Buckeye Institute v. IRS, could change reporting requirements related to major donors and therefore presents a major opportunity to protect donor privacy. More than 250 groups and individuals across the political spectrum filed amicus briefs supporting The Buckeye Institute. Learn more about the case here.

Messaging in an Attention Economy

In a time of digital distraction, nonprofits must work extra hard to earn and hold donors’ attention. Frank O’Brien shared his perspective on this last month, noting that nonprofit messaging is a long-term endeavor to grow awareness and deepen engagement, unlike political campaign messaging, which is focused on one specific decision. In addition, he outlined techniques for capturing attention today while stewarding trust for tomorrow. Fundraisers don’t get a pass from the demanding work to hold an audience’s attention, but we must do so with utmost integrity. This is a tall order, but it’s also what makes nonprofit marketing so interesting and meaningful.

“Indeed, nonprofits risk losing connection with our audiences unless we better understand how attention is earned, held and funneled into action in a fundamentally new context.” 

– Frank O’Brien

Tiny Break = Big Reset

Senior director of HR Melissa Ferrell shared advice to notice early signs of fatigue—like irritability, distraction, or poor posture—and act proactively to reset yourself. Research shows that micro-breaks (less than 10 minutes) can have a big impact on your ability to weather stress and sustain high performance. Not only do breaks help keep us happy, but they also strengthen cognition and creativity. And don’t worry, you aren’t the first fundraiser to feel fatigued from time to time. I know we can all relate!

Holiday Hack

The holiday season can add extra pressure to already full plates. If this happens to you, psychotherapist Niro Feliciano suggests making a holiday “to-don’t” list. The example she gives is of a host who decides to save deep cleaning for after the big function, rather than toil for days to make a perfect impression on guests. This looks different for each of us, but I like the idea of taking stock and engaging with more intention. It’s a good reminder to slow down where we can in the weeks ahead.