In today’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, discover donor belonging, a new museum on the National Mall, award winning clients, unique strengths, authentic leadership, and more
Dear friends,
I hope everyone at last week’s Leadership Summit feels energized by our time together. Thanks again to TNPA and to this year’s participants and volunteers for a great event! The conference coincided with Teal Media meetings in Washington, D.C., which Avalon leadership joined when we returned home on Thursday. Teal brings tremendous purpose and creative integrity to all their work, and this was a great opportunity for our teams to share capabilities and connect.
Museum News
I was delighted to hear that the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino will have a permanent home on the National Mall. The Smithsonian Board of Regents has designated the Arts and Industries Building as the Museum’s permanent site at the heart of the National Mall next to the Smithsonian Castle. Founding Director Jorge Zamanillo celebrated the decision as a “major milestone in a dream and effort decades in the making.” I can’t wait to see it come to life!
Out in Tech
Avalon Analytics VP SB Birnie reported back from last week’s Out in Tech Leadership Institute in Brooklyn. After volunteering with Out in Tech as a mentor, Birnie switched seats and joined their signature conference as a learner, for a deep dive on leadership and impact. It sounds like a powerful event with a strong point of view on ethics and authenticity, including sessions on “Remember[ing] Who the Hell You Are” amid constant change and “Queer Presence as Our Leadership Superpower.” Thank you, Birnie, for sharing this resource and for your phenomenal leadership at Avalon.
Donor Belonging
Writing for Nonprofit Quarterly, Rhea Wong explains the gap between tactical donor acknowledgement and strategic stewardship. While the former checks boxes, the latter builds real connections and fosters a sense of belonging. The assumption behind this retention strategy is simple: Donors are part of your organization, not faceless funders, and when they participate through giving, they are “initiated” into your shared mission. On a fun note, Wong uses her experience dining at Eleven Madison Park, the restaurant that inspired The Bear, to describe the unforgettable impact of unique rituals and thoughtful outreach.
Organizations that get stewardship right don’t start by designing a system. They start by asking questions: Do we believe in belonging? Do we want to initiate people into our movement? Are we willing to build rituals that say you’re one of us?
—Rhea Wong
Lasting Scientific Impact
Congratulations to Michael J. Fox for receiving the 2026 Lasker ~ Bloomberg Public Service Award. Celebrating lasting scientific impact, this honor is one of America’s most respected prizes in biomedical research. Debi Brooks, co-founder and CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, emphasized that Michael’s contributions are results-oriented and uniquely influential: “[He] went all in on a clear vision: put patients at the center and accelerate relevant, rigorous and collaborative science. His celebrity generated visibility, but his humanitarian spirit, business instincts, and tenacious optimism provided the blueprint for results.” Avalon is proud to support The Michael J. Fox Foundation through direct response fundraising partnership.
Strengths Matrix
Avalon uses the Clifton Strengths Matrix to better understand what each team member brings to the table. This is more than a list of skills; it’s a shared language for understanding how teams work together, including how each person naturally thinks, solves problems and contributes. The Strengths Matrix helps us get to know one another, build stronger partnerships, and appreciate the different ways each person adds value to our mission. It has been a wonderful tool for us, especially as we integrate Faircom New York into Avalon operations. If you’re curious, my top strength is “Arranger,” which involves coordinating multiple parts while also adapting to changing context, and I’m the only person at Avalon with the “Command” strength. This makes a great foundation for my current role!
