Allison Porter, president, Avalon Consulting Group
4. Digital continues to soar. There’s no denying that, while mail is still the heavy hitter in direct response fundraising, digital wins for fastest growth as a channel. But how does it fit into your program? Most organizations are still trying to figure that out. The key is to invest responsibly — with the goals of engaging those multichannel donors that we know are the most productive, and positioning your organization as modern and relevant in an increasingly digital world. Ensure that your digital strategies are aligned with what you’re already doing, and collaborate across departments and offline channels for seamless messaging and maximum impact. With so many options, determining your digital strategy can be tricky — but keep in mind that the payoff is better engagement with your donors, prospects and advocates.