Fundraising Strategies, Insights, and Resources for Nonprofits
At Avalon Consulting, we believe nonprofits thrive when they have the right strategies, tools, and inspiration at their fingertips. Our News & Ideas hub brings together expert advice, proven fundraising tactics, and real-world success stories—so you can connect with donors, strengthen relationships, and grow your impact.
Whether you’re looking for practical how-tos, creative campaign ideas, or the latest trends in donor engagement, you’ll find it here.
Avalon Blog
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Matching Gift and Challenge Grant Guide
Matching Gifts and Challenge Grants play a key role in boosting response in direct mail, telemarketing, and online campaigns. Yet, the execution of a matching gift campaign must be very deliberate, an…
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Avalon’s POV on Meta’s decision to discontinue fact-checking
In early January 2025 Meta announced that it will be discontinuing its fact-checking efforts and will instead move towards a Community Notes process, allowing users to moderate posts directly rather t…
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DEIB Today: The Choice Fundraisers Have to Make
Updated: September 1, 2026 Disrupting what’s expected is uncomfortable. But when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), the choice for nonprofits is simple: Interrupt autopi…
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Telling the Whole Story with Nonprofit KPIs
Key performance indicators, or KPIs, aren’t one-size-fits-all. These data nuggets are a valuable way to see if your nonprofit is striking the right balance between thinking big and driving impact. K…
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Remembering Amelia Stanley
Hi everyone, It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that former Avalonian Amelia Stanley passed away from breast cancer on April 2nd. In 2012, our client at the Kennedy Center reached…
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“Avalon is prepared” — A Time Capsule
Below is the text of the email I sent to clients on March 10, 2020. Subject: Avalon is prepared Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 9:08:23 AM EDT From: Allison Porter Greetings! As we continue to…
Avalon Dispatch
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Avalon Dispatch 08.04.2026
Hear from President Allison Porter about an update on our work as VeraData’s lead agency—and a warm welcome to our new colleagues from Faircom New York!
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Avalon Dispatch 07.28.2026
Discover “the backbone of direct mail,” regulatory news, tips for creative approvals, four approaches to leading change, and how we’re celebrating National Ice Cream Month!
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Avalon Dispatch 07.21.2026
Find new rules for fundraising platforms, empowering stories, a design sprint for your ask string, trusted brands, conference tips, and more. Read it here!
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Avalon Dispatch 07.14.2026
We’re celebrating 29 years of Avalon! Read President Allison Porter’s reflections on our history, accomplishments, and what’s next.
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Avalon Dispatch 07.07.2026
Find MAXI Award winners, an updated case for direct mail acquisition, newsletter fodder, impactful sentences, a call to action, NYC Pride, and more.
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Avalon Dispatch 06.30.2026
Find the latest benchmarks from Giving USA, a celebration of matching gifts, World Cup creative, how to “move at the speed of culture,” and more. Read it here:
