In today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find the expected impact of tax reform on charitable giving, public speaking advice, the Bridge Conference, a call to kindness, and more. Read it here!
Dear friends, While we enjoyed the long weekend, I want to acknowledge the devastating flooding in Texas. It is heartbreaking to see the number of lives lost, including those from the summer camp for girls and many who remain missing. If you wish to help, there are a number of relief efforts here. Tax Reform and Charitable GivingThank you to The Nonprofit Alliance for keeping us informed and mobilizing us as the tax bill moved through Congress. Following its passage into law on July 4, TNPA published a helpful assessment of the impact on donors and charitable giving. Looking ahead, they recommend strategic segmentation and targeted messaging designed to reach, educate, and engage donors across giving levels. If you haven’t already, you can sign up for TNPA’s newsletter and action alerts here.
Ignited by PurposeWho else is excited for the 2025 Bridge Conference: “Ignited by Purpose”? In a difficult year for the sector, I am especially grateful that fundraisers have this space to gather, learn from each other, and discover new inspiration. Please say hello when you see me, and I hope you will attend my sessions on Thursday, July 31!
Presentation Do’s and Don’tsCan you be too prepared for a presentation? Surprisingly, yes! According to public speaking expert Gary Genard, practicing your talk more than three to five times can backfire by making you sound stiff or robotic. In addition, memorizing content can leave you scrambling if you need to adjust on the fly. Instead, practice in a way that gets you as energized as you want your audience to feel. I love this advice and have found that the best presentations have an element of spontaneity that enables genuine human connection
Everyday KindnessFinally, thank you to COO Kerri Kerr for sharing this call to kindness with the Avalon team. I agree completely, and you can count me in: I’ve been thinking a lot about kindness lately, especially in a world that can feel increasingly polarized and reactive. We cannot always control the chaos around us, but we can choose how we show up for each other. I came across this chart on LinkedIn and found it both grounding and inspiring. It’s a great reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be grand or complicated. In fact, it’s often the small, intentional acts that make the biggest difference. So, I invite you to try one or two of these ideas. Let’s make kindness something we practice, not just something we believe in.
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