Client recognition, a direct mail revival, marketing lessons from a classic condiment, how to reduce public speaking anxiety, our favorite SNL skit, and more—all in this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch. Read it here! Dear friends, Greetings from my home in Annapolis, where I’m preparing to host the entire Avalon team for a dinner party! The […]
Read MoreIn this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find benchmarks, data-driven AI, the problem with nonprofit jargon, leadership fitness, college basketball, and more. Read it here! Dear friends, This month, as Americans filed their taxes, threats to abortion care have been all over the news. Arizona’s Supreme Court ruling, cases underway at SCOTUS, and debate […]
Read MoreIn this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find advice on readability, changes at Microsoft, and a new report on the experiences of BIPOC leaders. Most importantly, we honor our former colleague, Amelia Stanley, who passed away on April 2. As Jackie Libby wrote in her moving tribute, “Amelia will be missed by all who knew […]
Read MoreIn this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find questions to ask your donors, trust-based philanthropy, high-energy meetings, Avalon career opportunities, and more. Read it here! Dear friends, It was shocking and very sad to watch the Francis Scott Key Bridge fall in last week’s shipping accident. I’m grateful that they were able to halt traffic […]
Read MoreThe first quarter of calendar year 2024 is winding down! In this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, learn how we’re taking stock and get the latest on the TikTok ban, AI, trauma-informed messaging, introverted leadership, Avalon team building and more. Read it here: Dear friends, We are winding down the first quarter of calendar year 2024. Wherever […]
Read MoreIn this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, the latest on big tech’s new email security requirements, donor advised funds, conference news, how to procrastinate less, teambuilding, and more. Plus, a tribute to an old friend. Read it below: Dear friends, Today is the first day of spring. We made it! Right on cue, the cherry blossoms […]
Read MoreIn this week’s @AvalonFYI dispatch, you will find a time capsule, mentorship, HR trends, communication across generations, a new typeface, your deep-sea personality, and more. Read it here! Dear friends, Today marks 4 years since we sent our staff home to work remotely, due to COVID closures. I am reminded of the first email […]
Read MoreBack in the fall, Google and Yahoo announced a new set of email security requirements for any group sending emails to more than 5,000 names at once, and now that the deadline for the new requirements is approaching, we’re focused on ensuring our clients are up to speed and in compliance. Combined, Google and Yahoo […]
Read MoreThis article was originally published on tnpa.org on March 6, 2024. For nonprofit organizations, your greatest resource is not AI-enhanced project management software. It’s not a bank of wealthy clients or donors. It’s not flashy premiums or clever campaigns. Your greatest resource in 2024 (and forever) is your people. Ensuring your people are valued and […]
Read MoreHello, March! We see spring on the horizon, but first we are celebrating the Avalon Town Hall, Allison Porter’s advice on DEI and rising costs, direct mail appreciation, self-awareness, client success, and more. Read all about it in the @AvalonFYI dispatch. Dear friends, We made it to March! Daylight savings begins this Sunday, March […]
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