Below is the text of the email I sent to clients on March 10, 2020.  Subject: Avalon is prepared Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 9:08:23 AM EDT From: Allison Porter Greetings! As we continue to watch the impact of COVID-19 unfold, please know your Avalon teams are prepared to respond to changing dynamics and […]

Four Signs a Donor Relationship Wasn’t Made to Last (And What You Can Do About It) For all the talk in our industry about donor retention, donor desirability is a rarely discussed topic. But the fact is: Acquiring the right type of donor is as critical to strong retention as any post-acquisition cultivation strategy. Some […]

  Dear friends, Greetings from my happy place! I have a longstanding tradition of visiting Nantucket in June, and this year remote work has enabled me to extend my visit. I have been working some, and I will also log off completely for a true vacation. I love this reminder from The Muse to use […]

  Dear friends, Happy pride month to all! I am thrilled that this year’s events will feature more in-person gatherings. I hope you have fun with your celebrations. 🏳️‍🌈 While I enjoy the month’s festive atmosphere, I also want to honor ongoing work for LGBTQIA+ justice. One issue I’ve been learning more about is the […]

  Dear friends, The news from San Jose, the anniversary of George Floyd’s death, and the Republican party’s stubborn resistance to responsible governance have been weighing on me. I continue to hope that the Democratic leadership and majority will enable top-down change through meaningful legislation. At the grassroots, I always find comfort in our clients’ […]

  Dear friends, I have been eager to share some exciting news with you, and as of yesterday it’s official: Welcome to Jake Koenigsberg, Avalon’s new Communications Director! Jake brings 17 years of copywriting experience to our team, along with unparalleled expertise in content strategy and fundraising copy. He has been an Avalon partner for […]

  Dear friends, I hope you were not affected by the Colonial Pipeline disruption. There is something poetic about “running on empty” as we emerge from this pandemic, but the impact in some communities is no joke. Both that experience and the discourse around new CDC masking guidelines remind me that traditional and social media can actually […]

  Dear friends, I hope the weekend was a good one for you and your families. I am personally finding it hard to believe that we have reached mid-May! Part of me feels like we’re still living in 2020—a common sentiment, according to recent journalism on the psychology of post-pandemic life. I recommend both the Washington […]

Dear friends, Last week I got to see my mom and stepfather and my favorite uncle and aunt for the first time in over a year. Cheers to my entire family being fully vaccinated. It was incredible to gather with them again. Speaking of which, Happy Mother’s Day to all the fundraising families out there! […]

  Dear friends, Last week was quite something. I felt a wash of relief when I heard the news of Derek Chauvin’s conviction. I continue to think of George Floyd’s family, and I hope this helps them find some peace. There is also a sobering awareness of institutional racism, and an opportunity for us all […]