Learn more about telling great stories

1. How to tell great
Stories for change

2. Stories are powerful.

3. 56%of individuals who respond to a
nonprofit call to action cite
being motivated
by compelling storytelling

4. B U I L D I N G B L O C K S O F A S T O R Y

5. Stories should contain a
single, compelling
character that is relatable
to the audience and who is
comfortable relaying
specific details, memories
and experiences.
An Effective
Character

6. Authenticity
Stories should show—rather
than tell—the audience
about the character’s
transformation, using rich
details and featuring the
character’s own voice,
without jargon.

7. Stories should chronicle
something that happens—
an experience, a journey, a
transformation, a discovery.
Trajectory

8. Stories should convey
emotions that move people
to act, and marry these
with clear, easy-to-find
pathways to get them to
those desired actions.
Action-Oriented
Emotions

9. A Hook
Stories should capture the
audience’s attention as
quickly as possible, giving
them a sense of whose story
it is and what’s at stake.

10. T H E T R I P L E B O T T O M L I N E

11. The Nonprofit Storyteller’s
Triple Bottom Line

12. How do our stories
empower the people
we intend to help?
Will you let them speak for
themselves?

13. How do our stories
create a healthier
social sector?
Do they make people feel
hopeful and powerful?

14. Do our stories
move people to give?
Do they help us build long-
term relationships with
supporters?

15. H O W T O Y O U U S E Y O U R S T O R Y

16. Your emails, your social media, how you talk to a stranger, how
to convey your work to a funder or board member.
Your story shows and shares your organization’s impact.
Stories can be used everywhere

17. H O M E W O R K
1. Pick a story from your life you know well
2. In pairs, each person tells their story in 3 min
3. Now tell that same story in 1min
4. Repeat at 30secs and 15secs
5. Discuss with your partner which lengths were the
hardest + easiest
Story Speed Game