Telling your nonprofit story is not about your value propositions or how you do what you do.

The perfect story is always the “why?” You know, the real people involved and the “why” behind it all. Grab these three easy steps so that prospective donors and partners understand who you really are and why they should care. 

STEP ONE

Who are you?

Melanie and I recently presented a workshop at the Nonprofit Learning Lab in Phoenix and an attendee asked me about their mission statement. It was old and no longer represented their brand and could not be changed.

Mission statements are internal documents to guide the board and staff. It doesn’t necessarily define who you are as an organization.

Understand who you are!

 

STEP TWO

What’s the plot?

• Beating the Odds
• Rags to Riches
• Rebirth
• The Quest
• The Mystery The Voyage & Return

Each plot needs to include a challenge, and conflicts, along with the call to action, growth or outcome

 

STEP THREE

Who’s the hero of the story? Are they willing or unwilling? Are they tragic, a loner, a catalyst, or cynic, or an unsung hero?

 

Extra Tips

Don’t forget to ask. “Who cares?” at the end of each sentence that you write. If you answer that question honestly and you don't think anyone will care... re-write it or omit the sentence.

People respond to threes, so write your story titles that way. Consider The Three Little Pigs; The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, or Three Blind Mice

Follow this link to check out a FREE Story Structure Diagram that will help you lock down your nonprofit’s perfect story. 

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