Avalon was founded over 25 years ago to create a place for women to have a seat at the table in a male-dominated direct marketing industry. We remain committed to equity and inclusion, as we were when we were first founded.
Today, we acknowledge our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and recognize that we must take meaningful action towards building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive company.
We also recognize that philanthropy is a system rooted in white supremacy culture and white saviorism. While we alone cannot break down the injustices formed by a capitalist society, we are committed to making change happen within our walls, within our industry, and in the work we do. Acknowledging Avalon’s history and our participation in these systems is part of our journey.
A meaningful commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is dynamic and evolving. Since the Fall of 2020, Avalon staff and leadership have convened monthly as a DEIB Working Group. The group also engages with consultants and practitioners specializing in DEIB for guidance and insight.
The four pillars on which we are building our DEI efforts are:
While we have made significant progress over the last several years, we have no end date, as we see this work as ongoing, evolving, and indefinite. We acknowledge there is imperfection in this space and are committed to learning from both our successes and our mistakes, which will lead us towards a more inclusive future.
Read more about some of the work Avalon has done in this space:
Want to build a diverse coalition of support for your mission? Slow down your strategy decisions and start here:
DEIB in 2024
Then, take a deeper dive into five critical areas to solidify your commitment to DEIB:
Fundraising Choice Points