FYI BLOG
The Balancing Act
Happiness is equilibrium. Shift your weight…You compensate, rebalance yourself so that you maintain your angle to the world. When the world shifts, you shift. I like this quote by playwright Tom Stoppard—reminding us that we are all in a...
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Clients in the News–February 2019
Spikes Are Not the Answer In a compelling article in Common Wealth magazine, Pine Street Inn Executive Director Lyndia Downie describes the real-world solutions to homelessness that Pine Street is implementing, with great results. She and co-author Laura Sen concur that putting up barriers—like metal spikes under an overpass in San Francisco—to discourage homeless people from taking shelter from the elements, is not the answer. They outline the sensible solutions that are...
Choose Your Friends Wisely
My preteen son is 12—staring down (and trying on) his teenage years. Since he’s my oldest and this is a bit of uncharted territory, I’ve been reading up on how to best support him through this tumultuous time. If you Google teens and peers, you’ll get findings and advice from thousands of sources, from WebMD to Scholastic to mom groups to the Dept. of Health and Human Services. They all say the same thing: from here on out, what I do and say will have little impact, compared to...
How to see the forest when you’re stuck in the trees
Details are important, but sometimes they can bog you down. Case in point, I’m in the process of moving and I’m drowning in boxes and logistics and can’t find a pot to make dinner. But I need to make sure I’m not missing out on my wonderful new home! I see nonprofits make similar mistakes. They focus too much on the minutiae that they lose focus on the big picture. Look, I get it. Designing long-term strategies is a difficult task for most nonprofits, as they’re mired in their...
Ethical Risk-Taking in Nonprofits: Is It Possible? These Two Concepts Will Guide You
Avalon president Allison Porter recently explored best practices for trying new channels, creative, and investments in her DMAW Advents article: “The Next Hot, New Fundraising Idea – It’s Risky Business.” In it, she wisely counsels fundraising professionals to understand, mitigate, and be transparent about the risk of trying new things in nonprofit fundraising. She explores what it might look like to create space for risk-taking, while acknowledging what we all know from...
Clients in the News–January 2019
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is the only federal holiday that’s designated as a national day of service. Avalon’s clients fully embrace this idea, offering many ways—in states across the country—for us all to participate. Follow the links below to learn how you can help these fantastic nonprofits by volunteering on MLK Day, or any time! Bread For the City offers meals and food pantry services to neighbors in the Washington, DC area, and seeks volunteers for all of its...
Clients in the News–November 2018
Avalon clients are indeed in the news, warming our hearts with their good work, and holding events throughout November and December to help you and your family get in the holiday spirit. It’s that time of year, when Farm Sanctuary marks Thanksgiving by celebrating the humble—living—turkey. This year, FS is holding four Celebration for the Turkeys events to accommodate all the turkey well-wishers—at their sanctuaries in Acton, CA and Watkins Glen, NY. There will be a special...
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Avalon Consulting Group, Inc.
202-429-6080
805 15th Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005