In today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find an update on IRS scrutiny of nonprofits, the importance of relevance and reach, the ROI of acquisition co-ops, and a major conservation achievement.
Dear friends,
I hope you’re enjoying the return of spring where you live. Avalon is following COO Kerri Kerr’s front porch birding updates from Williamsburg, Virginia. She often has nests in her doorway, and we’ve come to anticipate them as an encouraging sign of renewal. From the west, Montana resident and senior VP Margot O’Leary reported that on April 6, like clockwork, local legend Iris the osprey returned to Missoula:
People all over town hold their breath hoping Iris returns – given her age, it’s not a certainty. She’s nearly 30 years old (roughly double the typical lifespan for an osprey) and has survived injuries, migration, and multiple mates over the years. In a world where so much feels unpredictable, there’s something incredibly comforting about her steady return each spring. Iris grounds me and reminds me that things go on … despite it all.
IRS Update
The Nonprofit Alliance amplified an April 14 letter from House Democrats to IRS CEO Frank Bisignano. Amid concern that the agency will act punitively against Democratic donors and “left-leaning” nonprofits, the letter asks how the IRS will ensure nonpartisan enforcement and requests answers by April 29. To learn more, CBS broke news of the joint FBI-IRS investigation. As always, I encourage you to follow The Nonprofit Alliance and join their work to ensure a strong future for the nonprofit sector. Avalon is with you.
ICYMI: Relevance and Reach
At last month’s 2026 Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium, both keynote speakers addressed the importance of relevance and reach:
- Woodrow Rosenbaum, chief data officer of GivingTuesday, previewed new numbers from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, showing that revenue is up 5% while donors are down 3.6%—a consistent theme in giving, but a dynamic he argued is not inevitable. He identified several levers for improvement, including expanding fundraising beyond traditional peak seasons, strengthening recurring giving starting with the first gift, and broadening engagement beyond coastal and urban donors. A unifying theme across these strategies was relevance: While trust is expected, Rosenbaum emphasized, it doesn’t drive results on its own; relevance does. Donors are motivated by the impact they want to have.
- Dr. Una Osili, an economist at the Eli Lilly Foundation, shared insights on philanthrometrics and the next generation of philanthropy. She taught that public perception of philanthropy is favorable, but awareness of individual organizations is low. In addition, donors inheriting the $128 trillion wealth transfer frequently have different priorities and give through different vehicles than those they inherit from. Together, these changes underscore the need to communicate impact more effectively. To build trust and convey relevance, Osili recommended, nonprofits should leverage relationships and partnerships, meet donors where they are (increasingly online), and use AI as a collaborator to reduce friction and expand reach.
Putting Co-ops to Work for Long-Term Growth
Avalon clients are mailing more co-op lists each year: In 2020, co-op lists made up about 55% of acquisition volume, and today they comprise between 75-80%. The key is to treat co-op lists as an investment that will return lower Gross ROI (GROI) in year one, but significantly stronger five-year GROI (63% for co-op lists vs. 53% for non-co-op lists). In addition, nonprofits should first identify the best co-op for their mission and audience. Finally, as always, test and validate! Avalon Analytics runs annual validation to confirm that co-ops continue to work for our clients. This step is critical to close the loop, iterate strategy, and optimize your next fundraising cycle.
“A Once in a Generation Achievement”
Finally, just in time for Earth Day, I have wonderful conservation news: The Connecticut Land Conservation Council honored The Trustees, as a member of the Cooper Hill Conservation Alliance, with their 2026 Connecticut Special Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration. Cooper Hill Conservation Alliance is working “to protect over 1200 acres of ecologically significant” land across multiple states through a collaborative partnership between eight organizations. I grew up in Massachusetts and feel a special connection to conservation efforts in the Northeast, so I’m delighted by this news. Congratulations on an historic achievement, and Happy Earth Day!
