In today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find K-shaped fundraising, year-end messaging, uniquely human skills, kindness, and a very important countdown.
Dear friends,
Next Monday, September 7 is Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer. The milestone is bittersweet, of course, but I love the energy of fall fundraising and am always inspired to see September campaigns roll out. Avalon will be closed on Monday, and your teams will ensure that all deliverables remain on schedule. When we return, the busy season will have started, and the 2026 GivingTuesday countdown will be on. But first, I hope everyone can savor the long weekend with family and friends!
K-Shaped Fundraising
The Nonprofit Alliance shared notes from its August Leadership Lab, which tackled K-shaped revenue (where high-capacity donors give more, but lower-dollar donors decline), and the related investment tension between high-dollar stewardship and “efficient, transactional practices.” In her writeup, TNPA CEO Shannon McCracken notes that AI adds pressure to this dynamic and therefore requires both accountability and responsible precedents. In addition, the cohorts identified 3 levers for impact in the current environment: “connecting fundraising to program…celebrating small wins…[and] honest communication.” I agree and would add that most major donors grow out of low-dollar individual giving, so foundational donor programs are more important than ever. Building high-quality, long-term, sustainable relationships continues to be critical.
The funding landscape has shifted, and the ‘us’ that survives this shift must be an ‘us’ that our donors and our teams still recognize. Whether it’s navigating the rise of DAFs or the implementation of AI, the goal is the same: to ensure that our efficiency never comes at the cost of the trust that makes our work possible.
—Shannon McCracken, CEO, TNPA
Year-End Messaging
Frank O’Brien’s On Message blog currently includes 10 guidelines for year-end messaging in 2026. As expected, he acknowledges the impact of midterm elections on fundraising audiences. However, he also asserts the importance of mission-driven messages and warns against dwelling in post-election reactions. To accomplish this, nonprofits should both acknowledge real challenges and “advance positive, future facing ideas.” In addition, O’Brien advises highlighting stories from those who are most impacted by your mission, with dignity – a recommendation that aligns closely with Avalon’s Fundraising Choice Points. It’s a great list and a helpful reminder that year-end messaging starts well before GivingTuesday. Avalon Creative and our account teams are on top of this for our clients.
The Value of Human Communication
Senior VP Jackie Libby shared advice from Warren Buffet that not only holds up but also has fresh meaning: “Learn to communicate better.” According to Marcel Schwantes at Fast Company, good communication is a marker of humanity. Further, as AI use increases, the distinction between human and machine intelligence grows in importance for leadership and persuasion. Fortunately, fundraisers are ahead on this: Excellent communication has always been in our DNA, and human connection remains essential to donor trust and engagement. As Jackie advised, any time saved by using AI is best spent on strengthening relationships, improving communication, and honing our uniquely human skills.
That’s why communication has become a force multiplier. The leaders who will thrive over the next decade won’t necessarily be the ones with the best prompts. They’ll be the ones who can translate complexity into clarity, rally people around a vision, ask thoughtful questions and build relationships that AI simply can’t replicate.
—Marcel Schwantes, Fast Company
A Word on Kindness
Noting “how much a little kindness can mean,” Avalon billings director Rachel Doyle shared a blog post by HR platform Workhuman, which outlines 5 reasons kindness matters at work: It “boosts productivity…builds trust…is contagious…creates leaders…[and] creates a positive work culture.” Hear, hear! Thanks, Rachel, for helping us remember that kindness is the hallmark of a true professional. This is a huge part of what makes Avalon such a positive, supportive, and impactful community.
