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Workshop B

Building a Better Story

Bronwen Butler

Thursday, September 22
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MT) 

About the Workshop

Fostering a strong culture of philanthropy hinges, in part, on connecting with a wide diversity of donors and bringing them fully into our work. That, in turn, requires us to break free from institutional jargon and communicate our organization’s vision, values and messages in compelling and inspiring ways. One of the best ways to do that is through storytelling! Great stories have the power to connect us across seemingly vast differences, to explore shared beliefs, uncover new ideas and discover the commonalities that bind us. Donor relations professionals are critical and pivotal storytellers for their organizations. In this session, we’ll talk about what stories are, why they matter in our everyday roles, and how to create and share better stories to connect with more diverse audiences – something non-profits must prioritize to successfully collaborate, build trust and reflect the world in which we operate.

PLEASE PLAN TO BRING THE FOLLOWING:

  1. A story about your organization that you enjoy and think is worth sharing—the topic is up to you. You’ll be referring back to it throughout our two hours together, so be sure it's something you're interested in!
  2. A copy of your organization's values or culture statement.

Learning Objectives

  • The importance of stories and storytelling in connecting with donors emotionally
  • Four types of stories, the differences between stories and messaging, and how the former can be vehicle for the latter
  • The skills to drive stronger storytelling and how more expansive, inclusive storytelling can influence more equitable processes and outcomes

Keywords: Diversity & Culture, Donor Experience, Globalization, Relationship-Building, Storytelling

Who Should Attend?
   



 
 

Environmental Organization, Other non-profit

Suitable for any size shop

Suitable for all levels

  
 
About the Speaker

Bronwen Butler
Senior Donor Communications Officer
The Nature Conservancy

Bronwen Butler is audience-focused, strategy-minded, and food-motivated. A deeply curious communications professional and self-confessed word nerd, she's currently a senior donor communications officer at The Nature Conservancy, creating strategic, donor-facing materials for new and existing high net-worth donors. She's also developing an exciting body of work focused on storytelling as a means to diversify and deepen donor engagement; her two-day Telling Better Stories, Telling Stories Better workshop is designed to facilitate conversation, collaboration, and continuous learning around better, more inclusive storytelling. Bronwen has put fingers to keyboards and actual pen to literal papers for more than 20 years; a successful speechwriter, ghostwriter, and long-term freelancer, she holds a BA in English from UT San Antonio and an MS in journalism from Ohio University. She's based in a home office in Austin (with her Hubs and two middle-aged Chihuahuas) and has a deep affinity for alliteration, history, Korean dramas, and pie.