Avalon Dispatch 06.09.2026

Dear friends,

Happy Pride🏳️‍🌈! I love this month of celebration and awareness. Avalon will always champion safety, inclusion, and wellbeing for LBGTQ+ people through our policies, team culture, and, of course, clients who serve LGBTQ+ communities. We are honored to partner with Rainbow Railroad, helping LGBTQ+ people get to safety around the world; SAGE, supporting LGBTQ+ elders through advocacy, resources, and community; and all our clients who work through a committed intersectional lens. I’m inspired by your leadership and grateful to participate in your missions.

State of Nonprofits 2026

The Center for Effective Philanthropy released new data on the State of Nonprofits in 2026. The report sounds an alarm on nonprofit burnout, with 46% of CEO respondents stating they are “very concerned” about their own burnout, and 25% confirming that burnout is “significantly impacting” staff (up from 29% and 17% in 2025, respectively). Further, LBGTQ+ CEOs, CEOs of color, and social justice CEOs navigate extra safety concerns, legal challenges, board conflict, and/or backlash. It’s a difficult situation, made tougher by funding challenges and the demands of continually adapting strategy.

One important finding—and possible bright spot—is the significance of individual giving: 53% of CEOs with a budget deficit cite low individual giving as a critical factor, and strong individual giving is the top factor noted by CEOs with a budget surplus. This affirms what we know about the value of diversified revenue, and I hope it will help galvanize strategic investments to strengthen individual giving across the sector.

Design that Delivers

Jeff Brooks at Future Fundraising Now shared three principles that shape graphic design for fundraising: “(1) Design should serve the mission; (2) Authenticity drives response; and (3) Test before you transform.” As always, resist the temptation to design with your gut or impose your personal taste. The most effective fundraising design is the one that advances your nonprofit’s goals, not necessarily the prettiest or the most popular. Experienced fundraisers know this well and should be strong advocates for best practice. Your Avalon team will lead the way.

Beyond Annual Reviews

Avalon uses a professional development calendar to guide one-on-one supervision towards deeper engagement and support year-round. Each month has a theme and two questions, which we encourage every supervisor and employee to discuss. Senior director of HR Melissa Ferrell crafted this fantastic series to help shape professional development conversations—not only in key moments like reviews, but across every supervisory interaction. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek at June:

Workload & Well-Being

1. “What’s been helping you stay steady and effective, even when things feel busy or unpredictable?”
2. “When work feels challenging or fast-paced, what support or habits help you adapt and stay at your best? How can we better support that?” 

Play Ball!

Melissa also shared news of the Washington Nationals’ new and cutest teammate. “Natty,” an eight-week-old Golden Retriever / Labrador mix, has officially reported for duty with maximum puppy energy and, presumably, zero understanding of the infield fly rule. Natty will train alongside players, staff, and professional trainers for 18 months to become a service dog, in collaboration with Eukanuba and Canine Companions. It’s a great cause and a fun engagement campaign for fans. Cheers to baseball season!

Take care,

Allison Porter
President
Avalon Consulting Group
[email protected]