Avalon Dispatch 10.27.2026

In today’s @AvalonFYI Dispatch, discover texts that connect, writing advice, how to lead with resilient optimism, Avalon’s #AMMC presentations, otters, and more!

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Dear friends,

With midterms looming, I know many of us are managing nerves. Elections directly impact nonprofits and the communities they serve, and by extension, our work as fundraisers. We are watching this closely, along with consumer sentiment, and will adjust message and focus for our clients as necessary. But first, we must go to the polls. Brennan Center for Justice has an excellent “Everything You Need to Vote” resource, including a helpline for voting questions and issues. Please share it widely, and let’s get out the vote!

American Museum Membership Conference

This week, Avalon is joining clients from the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to present two sessions at the American Museum Membership Conference. If you’re there, join us for both sessions and let’s connect. If you can’t make it, reach out to me for a copy of the presentation slides.

Texts That Connect

NonprofitPRO published an article addressing the difficulty of reaching donors by text in the lead-up to midterms. Author Mike Snusz of MomoGood suggests 3 texting techniques that break through the noise: (1) “report back on the impact of gifts,” (2) “invite supporters to fall events,” and (3) “provide value with no ask attached.” He notes that political texts are largely urgent and transactional, whereas nonprofits provide lasting value through engagement and impact. It’s a good reminder that every fundraising communication fits into a bigger picture. A successful campaign both achieves specific goals when it drops and advances a cohesive message and strategy over time. At Avalon, our digital, creative, and analytics teams work closely with account strategists to ensure that every effort accomplishes this dual purpose for our clients.

What Are You Trying to Say?

In honor of National Day on Writing, SVP Jackie Biancolli Libby noted that writing is essential in fundraising, not only for copywriters (whom we admire and appreciate!), but also for everyone who communicates through emails, memos, reports, and other written formats. She offered this wisdom to the Avalon team: “Good writing doesn’t have to sound impressive. It must be clear.” This is evergreen advice for fundraising copy and all our communication touchpoints. Well said, Jackie, and thank you to everyone who takes the time to write clearly.

“Whether you’re writing to an important stakeholder, creating a strategy memo, drafting copy, or sending a quick email, the best question may simply be: Will the person reading this immediately understand what I’m trying to say and what I need from them?” — Avalon SVP Jackie Libby

Resilient Optimism

Harvard Business Review recently addressed “How to Counter Pessimism in Trying Times.” Author Michelle Gielan proposes an approach she calls “resilient optimism: the ability to see challenges clearly while believing that actions can still influence outcomes.” To create this kind of culture, leaders should (1) model thoughtful attention, prioritization, and recovery; (2) reframe success; and (3) highlight opportunities and wins. Throughout, the key is to empower a team’s agency without ignoring or avoiding their challenges. This is always a delicate balance, and it’s a core requirement for nonprofit sector leaders.

“That’s the leader’s job: to move people toward a still realistic but more positive mindset that prioritizes agency and action over analysis.” — Michelle Gielan, Harvard Business Review

Tomorrow! Behind the Byline

Last call to register for tomorrow’s Behind the Byline webinar! Avalon VP Lindsay Marino Long will moderate this discussion with journalists/communicators from the nonprofit sector. Join us on October 28 at 11:00 AM ET to learn what they are hearing, what deserves more attention, and what they’ll be watching in the months ahead. I’m excited about this conversation and can’t wait to hear the latest scoop.

Our Pacific Saltwater Friends

I had the chance to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium this month, a longtime Avalon client and one of my favorite places because of ALL the amazing creatures. This includes the adorable Otters, of course, and we got up close and personal with the Giant Pacific Octopus! MBA’s ocean conservation work protects marine life and ocean health through science, policy advocacy, and sustainable seafood leadership — with a special, front-row connection to the extraordinary Monterey Submarine Canyon. It’s a state-of-the-art facility and one of the world’s most impactful ocean conservation organizations. I am grateful and proud that Avalon can support their work.