This post is part two of a five-part series on DEI-informed fundraising. In part one of this series, we explored the connection between list strategies and DEI—and concluded that lists alone cannot make an organization more diverse. They are only part of a larger strategy; DEI goals require serious commitment across the entire organization. We […]

  Dear friends, I hope the weekend was a good one for you and your families. I am personally finding it hard to believe that we have reached mid-May! Part of me feels like we’re still living in 2020—a common sentiment, according to recent journalism on the psychology of post-pandemic life. I recommend both the Washington […]

Good news for the economy equals good news for nonprofits. This update from the Chronicle of Philanthropy backs up what Avalon is seeing with our clients in Q1 of 2021. Our nonprofit clients’ fundraising programs are 36% ahead of last March and 13% ahead cumulatively for the calendar year so far. Digging deeper, acquisition is […]

This post is part one of a five-part series on DEI-informed fundraising.   One of the best levers that a nonprofit can use to impact donor acquisition performance is list strategy. Avalon has long believed in the power of a good list, and we love to collaborate with list partners who excel at matching nonprofits […]

An internal task force leads the Avalon process for continuous improvement in DEI. The group is staff-led, receiving guidance from DEI consultants. You can read about Avalon’s commitment to DEI here. We assert that a substantive DEI commitment is not static, and we are committed to taking a harder look at how we do business, […]

Dear friends, Last week I got to see my mom and stepfather and my favorite uncle and aunt for the first time in over a year. Cheers to my entire family being fully vaccinated. It was incredible to gather with them again. Speaking of which, Happy Mother’s Day to all the fundraising families out there! […]

  Dear friends, Last week was quite something. I felt a wash of relief when I heard the news of Derek Chauvin’s conviction. I continue to think of George Floyd’s family, and I hope this helps them find some peace. There is also a sobering awareness of institutional racism, and an opportunity for us all […]

  Dear friends, Hello again, and happy spring! I had a great vacation, but I have also missed connecting with you here. It’s good to be back. Avalon has been busy… First and foremost, congratulations to Mary Meredith, Avalon’s new Director of Digital Innovation! Mary is leading the charge to advance Avalon’s work at the […]

This is part two in a two-part series on women in philanthropy. Read part one here. Frequently, charitable giving by women, directly or through women’s funds, focuses on improving the quality of life and opportunity for girls and women. Women have long understood that the key to building and raising up communities is through empowering […]

This is part one in a two-part series on women in philanthropy. Read part two here. Finally the data is proving what many of us have known all along: women are shaping the philanthropic landscape. Women are not only making their own fortunes, but many are inheriting wealth through the intergenerational transfer, and they are […]