Storytelling for Fundraisers
All fundraisers must tell an engaging story about their organization's work. Four fast-paced interactive round robin sessions at our July event will explore effective storytelling strategies for the many audiences we seek to engage. Distinguished development and fundraising professionals in fields ranging from healthcare, the arts and social services will lead each small group.

Telling Your Story to Different Audiences

Individuals, corporate sponsors, family foundations, potential board members, volunteers, public officials, etc.
How does/should your message differ in these instances.
Mission statement, case statement, vision statement, elevator speech, e-mails, website, direct mail, etc.
How does/should this all work together to tell your story?

Facilitators: David Guion, Ph.D., Dublin Arts Council, Executive Director
Guion has also worked in non-profits in New York City and California’s Bay Area, and has taught seminars and workshops here and in Taiwan and Chile. Currently a member of the Columbus Creative Cultural Commission for the City of Columbus, David serves as president of the board of directors of OhioDance.
Laura MacDonald, CFRE, Benefactor Group, President
An AFP member since 1995, MacDonald also was chief development officer at the Wexner Center for the Arts and helped secure its largest-ever corporate sponsorship and foundation grant and highest membership. She was named the chapter’s Fundraiser of the Year in 2007.

Telling Your Story in a Grant Proposal

Tips from a widely praised book by Cheryl Clarke will be shared that outline the many compelling ways and places in a grant proposal for your
agency to distinguish its story with funders and win that grant!

Facilitators: Alissa Clouse, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation, Director of Grant Development
A GPA member since 2007, Clouse participates in the entire grants process with the OPRS Foundation. She has her BS in Gerontology from Bowling Green and an MBA from Franklin University.
Sara Miga, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Grants Manager
After joining the Central Ohio chapter of GPA in 2012, Miga quickly got involved and now serves as chapter Secretary. Her Masters is in Gender Studies from OSU. Before moving to Central Ohio, she served a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer at the YWCA Family Center.

Engaging Donors with Your Story

Based on a breakout session presented at the AFP International conference called The Pitch and the Presentation,
you will learn and practice a concept to tell your story to engage, befriend, reveal and involve a potential donor.

Facilitators: Ayisha Marawi, After-School All-Stars Ohio, Community Outreach and Events Coordinator
As a new AFP member with background in education, Marawi saw first-hand the achievement gap between low-income students and their higher-income peers during her stint at Teach for America in Charlotte, NC. She transitioned into a development role with AAAS after planning their events.
Brian Canavan, American Cancer Society, State Director of Major Gifts
With AFP since 2012, Canavan has moved up the ranks at the Cancer Society, having grown their portfolio and leading a successful capital campaign for the Society. His MBA is from Marshall University and he holds a BS in Business Administration from OSU.

Who Else Is Telling Your Story?

Potential donors, volunteers and funders increasingly source corroborating information to confirm their decision to support your agency.
Are you managing and monitoring these sources - often outside our control - to confirm they are accurately telling your story?

Facilitators: Scott Williams, GPC, Past President, Central Ohio Grant Professionals Association
Williams has been a GPA member since 2006, and is currently serving as a consultant for local immigrant non-profits. He has served as a development director, planner, evaluator, manager, technical writer and grant specialist during his career with social service agencies in Central Ohio.
Jennifer Hamilton, MS, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, Director of Communications
Hamilton has been with Lutheran Social Services since 2005 and has been Director of Communications since 2008, when she launched LSS’ social media presence. Her BA is in Communications from Capital and her MS is in Marketing and Communications from Franklin.