In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find benchmarks, data-driven AI, the problem with nonprofit jargon, leadership fitness, college basketball, and more. Read it here!   Dear friends, This month, as Americans filed their taxes, threats to abortion care have been all over the news. Arizona’s Supreme Court ruling, cases underway at SCOTUS, and debate […]

In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find advice on readability, changes at Microsoft, and a new report on the experiences of BIPOC leaders. Most importantly, we honor our former colleague, Amelia Stanley, who passed away on April 2. As Jackie Libby wrote in her moving tribute, “Amelia will be missed by all who knew […]

In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find questions to ask your donors, trust-based philanthropy, high-energy meetings, Avalon career opportunities, and more. Read it here!   Dear friends, It was shocking and very sad to watch the Francis Scott Key Bridge fall in last week’s shipping accident. I’m grateful that they were able to halt traffic […]

The first quarter of calendar year 2024 is winding down! In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, learn how we’re taking stock and get the latest on the TikTok ban, AI, trauma-informed messaging, introverted leadership, Avalon team building and more. Read it here:   Dear friends, We are winding down the first quarter of calendar year 2024. Wherever […]

In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, the latest on big tech’s new email security requirements, donor advised funds, conference news, how to procrastinate less, teambuilding, and more. Plus, a tribute to an old friend. Read it below:   Dear friends, Today is the first day of spring. We made it! Right on cue, the cherry blossoms […]

In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find a time capsule, mentorship, HR trends, communication across generations, a new typeface, your deep-sea personality, and more. Read it here!   Dear friends, Today marks 4 years since we sent our staff home to work remotely, due to COVID closures. I am reminded of the first email […]

Hello, March! We see spring on the horizon, but first we are celebrating the Avalon Town Hall, Allison Porter’s advice on DEI and rising costs, direct mail appreciation, self-awareness, client success, and more. Read all about it in the @AvalonFYI dispatch.   Dear friends, We made it to March! Daylight savings begins this Sunday, March […]

This week we honor both Black History Month and Women’s History Month! Read all about it in today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, along with client news, a best practice for donation pages, advice on embracing change, an out-of-this-world opportunity, and more…   Dear friends, This week we honor both Black History Month and Women’s History Month! I […]

This week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find gratitude, Black trailblazers, advice on the donor journey, donor advised funds, industry events, and more. Read it here!   Dear friends, As I’m sure you know, Valentine’s Day ended on a sad note last Wednesday, with gun violence at a Super Bowl parade in Kansas City. February 14 […]

Happy Lunar New Year! This week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch includes an opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, a little-known part of civil rights history, benchmarks, an idea to enhance focus, not one but TWO headlines from Sesame Street, and more. Read it here!   Dear friends, Avalon has resumed a normal schedule after our […]