Dear friends,

Last week marked the 5th anniversary of the corporate world’s shutdown for COVID and the launch of Avalon’s remote culture. This was certainly a defining time in my career, and Avalon learned to flex in so many ways. Through the experience, we forged many strengths: our remote culture, the ability to pivot and adjust programs in a heartbeat, internal and external communications (including this Dispatch), fundraising innovations, and a deeper coalescing of our team. Most of all, we took care of each other, and we fostered an amazing culture of resilience. Thank you to the Avalon team—in 2020 and today!

In-person bonding is the glue that makes remote work successful! Cheers from Alexis, Stephanie, Rebecca, Caroline, and Libby, who gathered for Avalon’s recent DC-area happy hour at bowling and bocce bar Pinstripes.

Future of AI

Senior VP and director of digital Mary Meredith shared a fascinating TED talk with our AI task force on the future of AI, work, and human potential. In it, futurist Lars Thomsen predicts a technological “tipping point” and explains how AI develops through pattern recognition and generative intelligence. It’s an exciting and hopeful perspective that explores the potential for massive leaps in human creativity, once AI understands and fully supports our endeavors.

“The future is not something we are just waiting on. It’s something we are creating.”

– Lars Thomsen

Perfect Prompts

On a related note, senior VP and director of client services Jackie Libby circulated advice on how to write the perfect AI prompt. According to OpenAI president Greg Brockman, the key is to experiment—and to use this strategy: (1) ask for what you want, (2) describe your preferred format, (3) include guardrails for accuracy, and (4) provide context. For anyone new to this, don’t worry! Though you do want to be specific, you don’t need special jargon or perfectly edited writing to get started. It is surprisingly natural to have a conversation with ChatGPT.

Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium

Thank you to DMAW and TNPA for hosting a terrific Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium last week. Our senior team reported back with incredible insights on data, AI, demographics, executive orders, USPS, DAFs, and more. This year’s opening speaker was Wharton professor Americus Reed, who set the stage with his keynote, “How to Build a Brand that Drives Loyalty.” Reed emphasized that a brand goes beyond logo and mission to incorporate the full scope of an organization’s activities. He called fundraisers into the ongoing work of building trust, defining a distinct and authentic brand, and unifying that message across platforms. This requires not only knowledge about what is working, but also the wisdom to develop your organization’s brand with purpose. You will know your brand is truly connecting when your donors can see themselves as a vital part of your nonprofit.

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad.”

– Americus Reed

Conference Calendar

Nonprofit PRO has published a helpful roundup of 2025 conferences. In addition, Avalon is excited for the following conferences in May, which I hope you will add to your calendar:

• Analytics VP SB Birnie is co-chairing TNPA’s Rising Leaders Summit (Philadelphia, May 8).
• Client services VP Dara Igersheim will present on building mid-level pipelines at the American Museum Membership Conference (Cleveland, May 19-22).

Leading with Respect and Curiosity

In her latest Workplace Wisdom blog, coach Liz Kislik tackles the challenge of polarization in an office environment. Even where politics aren’t at stake, she explains, “it’s easy to bring a habit of taking sides into the workplace.” Two antidotes to this problem are respect and curiosity: by leading with these values, we create an environment of true collaboration. Liz outlines five hallmarks of this leadership style:

1. Make getting along a value.
2. Activate your curiosity.
3. Exercise intellectual humility.
4. Don’t take criticism personally.
5. Watch your words.

Spring Is Coming

Thursday, March 20 will be the first day of spring—and that means we’re on cherry blossom watch in the DC area. Our clients at Trust for the National Mall have projected that this year’s peak bloom will occur March 28-31. That would be is perfect timing for spring break—but, if you’re not in the area, you can watch the blossoms emerge on Trust for the National Mall’s #BloomCam. Enjoy!