Avalon Dispatch 11.10.2026

In today’s Dispatch, you will find post-election wisdom, the latest on the Combined Federal Campaign, acquisition strategy, the science of giving, clients in the news, and more.

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Dear friends,

After a busy season of conference travel and meetings, I’m glad to be back in Annapolis, where I can reconnect with family, re-establish routines, and enjoy the comforts of home. Looking ahead, I’m excited to join our clients in the work that must continue after last week’s elections: refining messages, adapting strategy as needed, and executing impactful year-end campaigns. I hope you are also finding focus and energy during this critical time for fundraising. We’ve got this!

*My home office colleagues: Churchill, Cisco, and Sandy.*

Combined Federal Campaign

Last week, the Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA) shared encouraging news about the Combined Federal Campaign, which once again confirms the power of working together as a sector:

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), stated in an October 26, 2026 memo that the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will continue for 2026. The solicitation period runs from December 1, 2026 through February 19, 2027. — TNPA on LinkedIn

Thank you to TNPA and everyone who has joined them in solidarity to promote and maintain the CFC, a vital resource for U.S. nonprofits. Your advocacy makes a difference.

Acquisition That Compounds

VeraData CEO Michael Peterman published an article in Entrepreneur that applies insights from nonprofit marketing to business. It’s a key premise in our profession: Successful acquisition is more than simply casting a wide net. To grow, organizations must target audiences strategically and identify the individuals “most likely to engage, come back, and bring others with them.” In fundraising terms, this means leveraging your nonprofit’s data to build relationships with donors who will renew, upgrade, and champion your cause over time. Your Avalon team and Avalon Analytics, supported by VeraData, are on top of this for your program.

The difference between a good prospecting model and a broad one is not a few percentage points of conversion rate. It is, in many cases, the difference between [an organization] that compounds and one that churns. — VeraData CEO Michael Peterman

Motivations for Giving

Wharton published an article on the behavioral science of giving that highlights an obstacle: “Donors would rather give nothing than too little.” Helping donors understand that even small gifts have meaningful impact can remove that barrier and dramatically increase giving. The study concluded that lower asks can effectively motivate gifts, provided the lower ask doesn’t undervalue your donors’ giving potential. As direct response fundraisers, we must enthusiastically embrace the power of lower-dollar giving and understand the critical importance of progressive ask strings and upgrade strategies. In the strongest programs, there is ample room for engagement and sustainable growth across the giving pyramid.

A Job Well Done

I was proud to see an Avalon client named by The New York Times Editorial Board as an essential and effective steward of democracy. In their election night commentary, the Editorial Board named three groups, in addition to voters, who “deserve particular credit”: election workers, legal advocates, and judges. The first name on their list of nonprofits holding the line was the Brennan Center for Justice (BCJ), “an independent, nonpartisan law and policy organization that works to reform, revitalize, and defend our country’s systems of democracy and justice.” Even as the work continues, I’m grateful for this chance to pause and appreciate a job well done by BCJ, other advocates, and leaders across the nonprofit sector. Avalon is honored to support you.

Food for Thought

Finally, I appreciated this inclusive post-election wisdom from Avalon Senior Vice President Melissa Roberts:

The skills that make a democracy work are the same ones that make a team work. They include listening to understand rather than to respond, assuming good intent, and remembering that we can disagree on big questions while still building something together every day. On the eve of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln told a divided country, ‘We are not enemies, but friends.’ It’s a good reminder for any group of people with different views and a shared purpose. — Avalon Senior VP Melissa Roberts

Well said, Melissa, and thank you!

Take care,