Dear friends,

Last week was a meeting-free week at Avalon. We first launched this initiative in 2023 after getting the idea from Geoff Handy at International Rescue Committee—thank you, Geoff! We quickly saw the benefit of a break from our weekly meeting cadence, which provides a unique opportunity to focus on “deep work.” As a result, we have expanded the initiative to three times per year. If you would like to give meeting-free weeks a try, please reach out. I am happy to share Avalon’s experience.

GoFundMe Nonprofit Pages

GoFundMe made news for using public 501(c)(3) data to set up 1.4 million nonprofit donate pages on its platform without nonprofits’ permission. Fortunately, following an uproar from nonprofits, the platform issued an apology and reversed course: Nonprofit pages will be opt-in only, GoFundMe will remove and de-index all unclaimed pages, and they will continue to maintain nonprofit directory listings.

The experience was a frustrating reminder that tech companies can shift the fundraising landscape rapidly, without input—and it was a distraction from other important work. However, it is edifying to see nonprofits act so swiftly and effectively to educate, advocate, and protect their causes. As we learned with the Combined Federal Campaign last month, the sector is strongest when we work together. Thank you and well done!

Donor Motivations Shift with Age

In a repost from 2019, which senior VP Margot O’Leary shared with our team, Jeff Brooks explains how donor motivations change as people get older. Many adults shift from “success-motivation” to “significance-motivation” at some point during middle or elder age. I agree and would add: The main thing is to be very clear about who your audience is, so you can speak to their motivations and target your message successfully. In addition, pay attention to channel preferences and other variables across your file. As always, it doesn’t matter what we as fundraisers find compelling; it matters what your donors find compelling.

Leading in Challenging Times

In times like these, sound leadership is essential. I hope your organization is not in crisis today, but the current environment is challenging, and every leader should be prepared. The Center for Creative Leadership has excellent guidance on this, including a crisis leadership self-assessment and ten key strategies:

1. Communicate key information, consistently.
2. If you’re in charge, take charge.
3. Be accessible to your team.
4. Prioritize the wellbeing of people.
5. Don’t abandon your vision and values.
6. Lead with positivity.
7. Take care of yourself.
8. Make changes that protect your peace.
9. Plan for the next crisis.
10. Remember the big picture.

“Crises are inevitable, in life and in organizations. But knowing how to lead in a crisis can directly impact the length, severity, and ultimate consequences of the crisis for your team and organization.”

– Center for Creative Leadership

Late Night for a Good Cause

Michael J. Fox appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last week, where he spoke about the “tremendous privilege” of supporting the Parkinson’s community and turning his diagnosis into something positive. Remarkably, Fox received his diagnosis in 1991 at the young age of 29. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was launched in 2000 and, according to The New York Times, has become “the most credible voice on Parkinson’s research in the world.” Thank you to all our clients at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for your groundbreaking work—and congratulations on 25 years!