Let’s Stay In Touch!

We hope you were able to catch one of our sessions in National Harbor, but even if you missed them, we’d still love to be in touch!

Avalon sends a weekly round-up of industry news and updates, and if we may say so, it’s a pretty good read. Check out past issues here, and sign up to receive news dispatches direct to your inbox using the form below.*

Avalon’s Bridge Sessions

• Combatting Bias in Direct Marketing Fundraising: Explore the intersection of anti-racist principles and fundraising best practices. Join the discussion and see examples of how you can help disrupt the status quo of unconscious bias in our everyday work.
  See the slides here!
   
• 30 Ideas That WOWED Us!: Three veteran fundraisers share their latest findings in campaigns that WOWed us. You’ll be sure to find a big idea to use in your own programs!
  See the slides here!
   
• Working Parents and the Workplace: Navigating Challenges, Overcoming Guilt, and Advocating for Yourself: A panel of fundraisers and parents will lead a discussion on self-care, establishing boundaries, and managing your time.

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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

How We Started

Avalon was founded over 25 years ago to create a place for women to have a seat at the table in a male-dominated direct marketing industry. We remain committed to equity and inclusion, as we were when we were first founded.

Today, we acknowledge our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and recognize that we must take meaningful action towards building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive company.

We also recognize that philanthropy is a system rooted in white supremacy culture and white saviorism. While we alone cannot break down the injustices formed by a capitalist society, we are committed to making change happen within our walls, within our industry, and in the work we do. Acknowledging Avalon’s history and our participation in these systems is part of our journey.

What We’ve Done So Far

A meaningful commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is dynamic and evolving. Since the Fall of 2020, Avalon staff and leadership have convened monthly as a DEIB Working Group. The group also engages with consultants and practitioners specializing in DEIB for guidance and insight.

The four pillars on which we are building our DEI efforts are:

• Staff Training & Education
• Hiring
• Agency Culture
• Client Work

Where We’re Heading

While we have made significant progress over the last several years, we have no end date, as we see this work as ongoing, evolving, and indefinite. We acknowledge there is imperfection in this space and are committed to learning from both our successes and our mistakes, which will lead us towards a more inclusive future.

Read more about some of the work Avalon has done in this space:

Want to build a diverse coalition of support for your mission? Slow down your strategy decisions and start here:
DEIB in 2024

Then, take a deeper dive into five critical areas to solidify your commitment to DEIB:
Fundraising Choice Points