Dear friends, First and foremost, thank you to everyone who responded to TNPA’s call to action by signing their donor privacy amicus brief last week. Your donors will thank you, and so do we. In other news, the second impeachment trial is behind us. The outcome was frustrating and sadly predictable, and the process was a […]

Honoring Black Contributions Avalon is celebrating Black History Month in lots of ways and our DEI Task Force wanted to share the content we’re watching and listening to, the virtual events we’re loving, and the thought-provoking articles we are discussing. Please explore, enjoy, and share this list!   Of course, this is by no means […]

  Dear friends, Black History Month continues, and I am so grateful for the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s programming. This week’s events include a poetry workshop, a dialogue on race and medicine as represented in Smithsonian objects, and Artful Observations, an hourlong discussion of one work of art from the museum’s collections. The Avalon […]

  Dear friends, Hang on to your hats! Biden is methodically undoing Trump’s policies, and many of them affect issues we care deeply about. I was delighted to see orders expanding LGBTQ antidiscrimination protections and enabling transgender people to serve in the military, followed by several executive actions on equity and environmental justice. Add these to his work on climate […]

  In this unprecedented time, Avalon is here.   Here for our staff.   Our first priority is the safety of Avalon staff and clients. On March 2nd Avalon ceased company travel, and on March 12th we shifted fully to remote work. We have been telecommuter-friendly for 20+ years, which helped make this a seamless […]

  Dear friends, We made it to the Biden era! For many of us, this marks the REAL beginning of 2021 – and a sigh of relief that Trump’s chaos is over. I am thrilled to see renewed focus and leadership from the executive branch. The inauguration was historic in many ways ­(yay, Kamala!), and […]

  Dear friends, I send you this letter on the Tuesday between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. It is quite the juxtaposition, especially this year. I hope you find meaningful ways to mark both occasions, along with everything they represent. On an important fundraising note, Avalon is prepared to respond […]

Rethinking Engagement for R… by Allison Porter

  Dear friends, Last week was difficult, especially for those of us who love DC. I will never forget the chaotic images from the Capitol, which I never imagined possible, or the outrageously incongruent policing. At the same time, everyone on the side of progressive change has cause for celebration: Biden’s certification and Democrats’ Georgia Senate […]

  Dear friends, Happy new year! I hope that everyone found meaningful ways to enjoy the December holidays, and rest. It was a low-key Christmas here, but I have begun to appreciate the beauty of a quieter schedule. And it is always a treat to spend time with Luca, Alex, and my canine children, Churchill […]