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More Ways to Understand NonProfit Storytelling!

The more we understand the more funds we can raise. As our nonprofits prepare for Giving Tuesday on November 30 we need all the information we can get on how to make the best story for our audience, our funders, and our constituents and boards!

This information and excerpt comes from:

9 Powerful Examples of Nonprofit Storytelling

How To Tell A Compelling Nonprofit Story

1. Be Intentional

Storytelling is a tactic in service of a larger goal, so first you’ll need to be clear about what that goal is. Then, you can be intentional with both the stories you choose and how you tell them. 

Common storytelling goals include:

2. Activate Empathy

Stories work when they make us feel. They help us imagine ourselves in a situation, and actually trigger chemical activity in the brain that promotes empathy and prosocial behavior (like making a donation!). 

In order to get the feelings flowing, your story will need:

  • Emotional vocabulary
    Don’t skip the emotional impact of the situation you’re describing. Encourage the subjects of your stories to talk about how they felt, as well as the facts of what happened.
  • Sensory details
    Including details from all five senses–sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch–helps the brain immerse itself in the story.
  • A central character
    It’s easier for the audience to connect with a single, specific character than a vague group. Focus your story on one person’s experience–it gives the audience someone to cheer for and identify with.
  • A storytelling structure
    A storytelling, or narrative, structure is simply a system for arranging the information in your story in an interesting and engaging way. Classic structures like the Hero’s Journey or Aristotle’s 3 Act Structure can provide a framework that keeps the audience wanting to know more.

3. Make Connections

Stories are all about building connections. They make the audience feel emotionally connected to your cause, and can help make connections between esoteric ideas and real-life actions. Spell out these connections in your story — show how what donors do impacts the story, how change happens, and why it matters.

Supercharge Your Story With Visuals 

The web has made visual storytelling more important than ever for nonprofits. Photos, videos, infographics, and images can all supercharge your story’s impact. 

The story continues with lots of visual examples! If you would like to read more, go to https://venngage.com/blog/nonprofit-storytelling/

Please share, like, follow, give, and volunteer for your local nonprofits!

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Topics

Current 2022 List of Organizations

Please go to the home page for details about each organization

Angels of Action
Animal Rescue Coalition-ARC
Artworks
Big Rapids Virtual School
Chippewa Hills Orchestral Society
Cran-Hill Ranch
Eagle Village Inc.
Hope House Free Medical Clinic
Joy First
Life Resources of Northern Michigan
Lord’s Table Food Pantry
Manna Pantry of Big Rapids, Inc.
Meceola Currie Comfort Home
Mecosta Council on Aging/RSVP
Mecosta County Genealogical Society
Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity
Mecosta County Historical Museum
Mecosta County Kids Mental Health
Mecosta Count Sheriff Posse
Mecosta County Toys for Tots
Mid Michigan Honor Flight
Morley Community Center
Open Arms Child Advocacy
Our Brothers Keeper
Project Starburst
Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry/ Jonah Ministry
Recycle of Mecosta County
Riley MacKenzie Fund
SLD Read
Special Olympics Michigan–Area 5 Mecosta-Osceola
St. Peter’s Lutheran School
St. Mary Catholic School
St. Mary/St. Paul Ministry
Stage M
Stanwood Lions Club
TNR Mecosta
Tuba Bach, Inc.
Voca Lyrica
Women’s Information Services, Inc. (WISE)

DONATE

Join us for Community Giving Day November 29, 2022, will be the opportunity to give to your local non-profits in the Mecosta County Area.

Soon we will have all the 2022 information updated! When that is ready, you can click on the donate button listed with the nonprofit name that you would like to support. you will be directed to their donation link or with instructions on where and how to donate a check by dropping it off at the Eagles Club.

 

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