What the Fundraising

124: The People Behind The Products: Authentic Storytelling that Cultivates Connection with Chris Miano


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Grassroots storytelling emphasizes genuine, human experiences that can deeply connect with the audience. Rather than focusing on a polished narrative, it prioritizes the authenticity and raw emotions of individuals who are not professional storytellers. This form of storytelling can have a profound impact on the listener, as it evokes empathy and understanding by showcasing the unfiltered realities faced by real people. In this episode we interview Chris Miano, a passionate advocate for authentic storytelling and founder of MemoryFox, a storytelling platform for nonprofits to collect and leverage stories from their communities for fundraising and marketing. MemoryFox was initially designed as a storytelling platform for pre-dementia elderly but pivoted to serve all nonprofits. Chris has an incredible journey that started with his time in the Army and the desire to preserve his grandfather's stories from World War II. 


In this episode, Chris urges non-profit marketers to embrace grassroots storytelling, rejecting the idea of creating perfect, scripted stories. Instead, Chris values the imperfections as a representation of genuine human experience. He believes that the energy, tone, and body language of the storyteller are more compelling than carefully selected words, emphasizing the need for non-profits to prioritize honest and relatable narratives. For nonprofits, grassroots storytelling also provides an avenue to hear and learn from their own communities and share these insights with a wider audience, effectively promoting their cause.


In this episode, you will:

1. Discover the power of authentic storytelling to inspire support for non-profits. 

2. Uncover the ethical dilemmas of using personal experiences in fundraising efforts. 

3. Learn about cultivating stronger bonds between non-profit organizations and funders through compelling narratives. 

4. Tap into the potential of technology and younger generations to drive social change. 

5. Master the art of streamlining non-profit promotion through user-friendly platforms.



Get all the resources from today’s episode here


Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatthefundraising_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/

Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast


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What the FundraisingBy Mallory Erickson

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