In today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you’ll discover “the backbone of direct mail,” regulatory news, tips for creative approvals, four approaches to leading change, and how we’re celebrating National Ice Cream Month! Read it here:
Dear friends,
It’s Bridge week! Late summer is a critical hinge point, as fundraisers shift from planning and preparation to heads-down focus on campaign execution. What better time could there be to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and sharpen our skills? Thank you to the 2026 conference organizers, good luck to this year’s speakers, and safe travels to colleagues visiting from out of town. I’m excited to see you soon.
Regulatory Note
Florida has modernized its nonprofit law, changing governance, member rights, officer duties, and merger procedures. According to Michael Kuczynski, Jonathan Grissom, Maverick Flowers and Lisa Schultes, a team of nonprofit attorneys writing for The NonProfit Times, “Florida nonprofit corporations should anticipate the need to review and potentially revise their articles of incorporation, bylaws, governance policies, member procedures and transaction documentation to ensure alignment.” This is a comprehensive update, but the impact is limited largely to nonprofits incorporated or operating in Florida. It does not change charitable solicitation or fundraising rules, so most non-Florida nonprofits will be unaffected.
“The Backbone of Direct Mail”
Karin Haag of MMI Direct and Jade Nguyen Swanson of PMG wrote an excellent article for The NonProfit Times, explaining why “Clean Data is the Backbone of Direct Mail.” They urge nonprofits to avoid costly mistakes by making data hygiene a top priority, and they outline 10 essential practices, like updating changes of address and implementing quality controls. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of consistency. Avalon agrees: Clean data is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. We work closely with our clients to ensure this key element is always in place.
Leaders at the best direct mail programs treat data hygiene not as a cleanup task, but as an ongoing discipline that pays dividends with every mailing, and compounds over time.
– Karin Haag & Jade Nguyen Swanson, writing for The NonProfit Times
For Your Approval
Even A+ creative falls short if it can’t pass one final hurdle: your nonprofit’s approval process. Frank O’Brien tackled this challenge in a recent Monday Memo, offering 10 strategies to “get great messages out the door.” One important point is that senior approvers often “live in a world where they routinely draw on consultants and subject matter experts”—so let us help you keep things moving! I also appreciate his suggestion to proactively “bring the receipts,” a.k.a. present the data behind creative decisions. At Avalon, the receipts are always in order because, at every stage, our work is data-driven.
How to Foster Positive Change
Senior director of HR Melissa Ferrell shared great advice on fostering positive change. Author Paul Thornton highlights four approaches that work: (1) thought leaders who bring forward new ideas, (2) courageous leaders who take action when something matters, (3) inspiring leaders who convey a sense of purpose, and (4) servant leaders who empower others to succeed. Though we may naturally lean towards one style, the best leaders embrace all four. And every person, regardless of where they sit in an organization, can show up as a leader. As our sector continues to navigate a climate of uncertainty and challenge, ask yourself: What kind of leadership does my team need right now?
The ultimate leadership challenge is not choosing one approach over another. It is developing the versatility to use the right approach at the right time.
– Paul Thornton, Smart Brief
I Scream, You Scream
Thank you to all our colleagues for joining us at Avalon’s annual Ice Cream Social. Not only did we celebrate Avalon’s 29th birthday in style, but we convened our largest virtual gathering ever, with over 100 people attending. If you’re curious how this works, we give everyone a small bonus in their paycheck to cover a treat of their choice. And this year, we used Confetti to host and manage the event, which allowed our entire team to connect and simply have fun. July is National Ice Cream Month, so it’s the perfect time to treat yourself (and your team!) to something delicious.
