You’ve heard it over and over again: storytelling gets you more donations. It’s actually easier than you think to create a compelling story. Fairy tales, fireside stories, and your favorite Hollywood movies all follow the tried and true storylines every popular story follows. In this session, Rob Wu, CEO of CauseVox, walked through three storylines that you can use for nonprofit fundraising, and to help you understand how to repurpose storylines for your nonprofit at #SM4NP Silicon Valley.
35. @robjwu / @causevox
Protagonist starts out as poor and
downtrodden, but rises in the
world through wealth, status, love,
and more. May include
momentary loss of it all and grows
up because of it.
50. @robjwu / @causevox
Protagonist and companions set
out to acquire an important object
or reach a destination,
encountering perils and obstacles
along the way.
64. #SM4NP
Once upon a time, there was
____________.
Every day, _____________.
Then one day, __________.
Because of that, _________.
Because of that, __________.
Until finally, ________________.
THE PIXAR FRAMEWORK
65. #SM4NP
Once upon a time, there was
____________.
Every day, _____________.
Then one day, __________.
Because of that, _________.
Because of that, __________.
Until finally, ________________.
THE PIXAR FRAMEWORK
67. #SM4NP
“I truly believe that
people are looking for
stories that really mean
something–stories that
are redemptive,
inspiring, and bigger
than an individual.”
-Scott Harrison
Breakthrough research in the ‘90’s revealed that empathy is facilitated by mirror neurons—collections of cells in our brains which fire when we see other humans (or animals) experiencing an emotion which makes us feel the same emotion. “When we see someone else suffering or in pain, mirror neurons help us to read his or her facial expression and actually make us feel the pain of the other person,” argues Marco Lacoboni, author of Mirroring People: The New Science of How We Connect with Others.
How to you overcome these challenges?
You don’t need to be a journalist or Ira Glass to be a storyteller.
Your classic good guy and bad guy story.
- EarthRights International takes on corporate human rights abusers via advocacy and litigation.
Crowdfunded a documentary film series & training curricula that will empower activists in their pursuit of justice.
Our Mission
EarthRights International (ERI) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, which we define as "earth rights." We specialize in fact-finding, legal actions against perpetrators of earth rights abuses, training grassroots and community leaders, and advocacy campaigns. Through these strategies, EarthRights International seeks to end earth rights abuses, to provide real solutions for real people, and to promote and protect human rights and the environment in the communities where we work.
Our Work
We document human rights and environmental abuses in countries where few other organizations can safely operate. We expose and publicize earth rights abuses through campaigns, reports and articles.
We organize the human rights and environmental activist communities around earth rights issues. We are at the forefront of the movement to hold corporations accountable for fair human rights, labor, and environmental practices no matter where they do business.
We litigate in U.S. courts on behalf of people around the world whose earth rights have been violated by governments and transnational corporations. For earth rights abuses against villagers in Burma, we brought the landmark lawsuit, Doe v. Unocal Corp.
We teach people about their earth rights and remedies, especially people living under repressive regimes. We train villagers and refugee women to testify at the United Nations and other international agencies. We run the EarthRights Schools for activists in Southeast Asia.
We advocate with those who have been harmed, and fight for better earth rights protections at every level, from the local to the international.
Embrace that you’re the underdog.
If there’s no clear antagonist, define the enemy or threat.
Rally supporters by showing them what the enemy can do.
Rebirth: The main character(s) has an inner transformation that leads to a new perspective on life.
Chris Gardner’s wife leaves him. He works to get a job and eventually becomes a millionaire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgarS68U0Cc
You might have seen Harry as a homeless man on the train years ago. Since childhood he has lived on the streets and spent almost 30 years in prison during his life. But now Harry is back! It is our honor to introduce you to Harry Dickerson, who gives us hope for New Yorkers still struggling to reclaim their lives.
Project Renewal's mission is to end the cycle of homelessness by empowering men, women and children to renew their lives with health, homes and jobs.
Tell the story of a disadvantaged dancer that make it to Broadway.
Tell a story of how arts helps cancer survivors.
Good opportunity for personal narratives or testimonials.
Also known as the voyage. Story is more about the journey than the destination
Think of your mission as a quest, and map out the journey (literally: make a map!), recruit companions (partners, supporters), and stock up on supplies.
Get supporters to tell stories of their journey via personal fundraising pages
Once upon a time there was … a widowed fish, named Marlin, who was extremely protective of his only son, Nemo.
Every day … Marlin warned Nemo of the ocean’s dangers and implored him not to swim far away.
One day … in an act of defiance, Nemo ignores his father’s warnings and swims into the open water.
Because of that … he is captured by a diver and ends up in the fish tank of a dentist in Sydney.
Because of that … Marlin sets off on a journey to recover Nemo, enlisting the help of other sea creatures along the way.
Until finally … Marlin and Nemo find each other, reunite and learn that love depends on trust.
Once upon a time there was … a widowed fish, named Marlin, who was extremely protective of his only son, Nemo.
Every day … Marlin warned Nemo of the ocean’s dangers and implored him not to swim far away.
One day … in an act of defiance, Nemo ignores his father’s warnings and swims into the open water.
Because of that … he is captured by a diver and ends up in the fish tank of a dentist in Sydney.
Because of that … Marlin sets off on a journey to recover Nemo, enlisting the help of other sea creatures along the way.
Until finally … Marlin and Nemo find each other, reunite and learn that love depends on trust.