The Power of Nonprofit Storytelling
Whether you’re a library, a charity, or a community group, nonprofits all have one thing in common: Stories.
For nonprofits, stories are everywhere.
Staff members that felt empowered to plan an event for a cause they’re passionate about.
A child who chatted with a volunteer, learning something new and exciting in the process.
Board members coming up with a new initiative that benefits the entire community.
These are the kinds of experiences that result in stories. And sharing those stories is one of the strongest approaches to take with your nonprofit’s marketing efforts.
Why Stories?
Think about the last Annual Report you read.
Do you remember every statistic you read?
Do you remember every graph you saw?
Do you remember the industry jargon?
You probably don’t.
Now, think about the last novel you read.
Do you remember the character’s names?
Do you remember the characters' journeys?
Do you remember the plot, the drama, the twists?
You probably do.
Because a novel tells a story. Stories give people an opportunity to connect. Empathizing, sympathizing, and identifying with someone else’s experience. Stories stick, and that’s why they’re so important for your nonprofit to share.
So, How Do I Get Started with Sharing Stories?
Sharing stories requires some upfront work that might not seem as “exciting” as the stories themselves: processes.
There are 4 processes I always recommend my nonprofit clients establish before they start exploring storytelling.
1 - Outreach: This process outlines how your organization extends requests for story submissions.
It should include details about:
Who you can ask for stories.
How you reach out to them/the outreach process.
How participants can respond and any related requirements.
2 - Inbound Submissions
This process outlines how someone can share a story with your organization. It should include details about:
How the submission process works (and any requirements)
Who the nonprofit point of contact is, and how to get in touch with them.
How the story will be used (with consent), in what format, and for how long.
3 - Story Collection
This process outlines how your organization receives the stories people want to share. It should include details about:
Where to find and submit consent forms.
Story format requirements (i.e. audio recording, word document, etc.)
How much (or how little) your organization will be involved in collecting the story.
4 - Saving & Management
This process outlines how you’ll save, store, and manage story files. It should include details about:
File type(s) requirements.
“Housekeeping” requirements such as naming conventions, file sizes, etc.
How long your organization will keep a shared file/story.
Sharing stories is a great way to give your audience a new, unique way to connect and engage with your nonprofit. But, if you don’t know how your nonprofit will collect, save, or manage those stories… that’s the first place to start!
