The world has gotten bleak. The entire planet is living through a moment of uncertainty. Apprehension about war, climate change, artificial intelligence, effective government, etc., has led to many feeling fed up with the entire system.
As a result, young people in particular are leveraging the only power they seem to have—their purchasing power—to set new expectations for the brands they support and the companies they work for. To stand for something. To exist rooted in a sense of purpose. To fill in the gaps. To do what our broken systems can’t seem to do.
This puts the nonprofit sector at an advantage. Not just because the world is looking to experience, share, and feel the impact of more good. But because our stories stand to matter more than they ever have before. However, the unfortunate truth is that nonprofits spend much more time thinking about what they need from people (attention, trust, time, money, action) instead of the value they could provide their supporters in return through emotionally significant narratives.
In this highly interactive masterclass, we’ll explore how the strongest brands do more than communicate a mission; they create meaningful experiences and relationships. We’ll unpack why some stories move us while others disappear, how important issues become personal, and what makes people move from simply noticing an organization to believing in what it stands for.
Along the way, we’ll challenge some familiar assumptions about nonprofit storytelling, fundraising, and even hope itself. Because hope isn’t just about positivity or a happy ending… it’s the belief that something better is possible, that change can happen, and that we have a role in making it real.
We’ll study some film (from movies to advertising), dissect our own comms, and learn practical ways to evaluate the emotional value our brands create. We’ll also identify where your audience relationships may be running dry, and give people more reason to care, connect, believe, and participate.
Tyler Riewer
Anthony Marinos