Certificate of Strategic Storytelling for Nonprofits

Overview

Since humankind began, stories have been our primary method for sharing information. Stories help us to understand complex issues, allow us to develop and celebrate shared values, and encourage us to cultivate empathy for one another. We remember the stories we connect to – the ones that elicit powerful emotions – far more easily and completely than even the most carefully crafted talking points or data. 

That’s why storytelling is often promoted as a “magic bullet” remedy for all our engagement, fundraising, and donor retention woes. But nonprofit staff working on the front lines know just how challenging it can be to attempt effective storytelling on top of all the other demands that come with running a nonprofit organization.  

Through this brand-new four-part series, nonprofit communicators and fundraisers will learn how busy teams can craft and share powerful, uplifting, and – most importantly – ethical stories about the people they serve, the work they do, and the impact of their volunteers, advocates, and donors.  

Using a combination of theory, long-term strategy, and practical, hands-on content development, participants will discover how to build an organization-wide culture of storytelling where everyone on staff is excited to contribute; how to create powerful stories full of first-person testimony and hopeful messaging; and how best to utilize these stories to achieve your goals, deliver on your mission, and celebrate the storytellers. Each class is underpinned by the core tenants of ethical and dignified storytelling that puts the storyteller – their voice, consent, and comfort – at the heart of the process. 

These four sessions can be taken individually or as a series. Each session features pre- and in-class activities to reinforce learning. 

Key Concepts

• Best practices for ethical, strengths-based storytelling 
• Creating story collection materials to ensure a process of informed consent  
• Building an organization-wide culture of storytelling  
• Identifying target audiences and key messages 
• Crafting powerful and uplifting stories – full of first-person testimony – that inspire your supporters to take action 
• Graphic design and video basics, including how to create eye-catching story visuals using free online tools 
• Adapting and optimizing stories and content for various digital platforms 
• Utilizing stories throughout your materials to achieve your organizational goals 

Audience

Team members who engage with communications and fundraising, especially from individual donors, such as: 

• Marketing/communications staff 
• Fundraising and development staff 
• Senior leadership 
• Client-facing programmatic staff 
• Board members, especially those serving on development committees