The Discussion

For this discussion, we're going to review examples of fundraising story-telling and reflect on our own motivations for giving.

First, think of an organization for which you have given time and/or money, or considered giving time and/or money to. Search for their organization's website, or if you have an e-mail or other written appeal from them, you may use that as an example.

Tell us the name of the organization and the information that you reviewed (website, e-mail, letter, etc.) What originally attracted you to the organization?

Then, review the elements of their story by filling in the blanks in the following outline:

Once upon a time ____________, every day ______________, one day _________________, because of that ____________________, until finally _____________________.

For example, for the ASPCA the story might be "Once upon a time there was an animal that was part of a dogfighting ring. Every day, the animal faced abuse and violence. One day, it was rescued by volunteers from the ASPCA. Because of that, the animal was placed in a safe shelter, until finally it was adopted by a loving family."

More examples can be found here: https://www.causevox.com/blog/storytelling-secrets-pixar/#:~:text=The%20Pixar%20Pitch%20came%20from,momentum%20for%20your%20fundraising%20efforts.

Then, reflect on what you found. Did the organization tell a compelling story? Who might their information most appeal to?

A Good Example:

Human Milk Banking Association of North America & Mother's Milk Bank of San Jose

I have heard of breast milk donations before, through friends and family, and know people who have donated in the past. It wasn't until I nursed my own child that I personally started researching milk donation avenues. There are several different avenues for mothers to donate their milk, such as donating to a milk bank or local mother-to-mother donations.

Upon reading and visiting several different websites, I came across Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and found Mother's Milk Bank of San Jose.

https://www.hmbana.org/

https://mothersmilk.org/about/

Donated breast milk from prescreened mothers are pasteurized and sent to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) all across California to help feed premature babies. Premature babies who are born pre-term, relies on breast milk as their only source of nutrition; however, their mothers are not able to generate any milk yet or cannot breastfeed personally due to other health complications. I choose to donate my milk to them, because they are a licensed tissue bank and will give premature babies a fighting chance at survival.

Storytelling: Once upon a time there was a premature baby who was born at only 2 lbs. Every day her mother worried that she would not receive the proper nutrients which were needed to keep her healthy and alive. One day, the NICU nurse informed the mother that the baby would be the recipient of donated breast milk from Mother's Milk Bank. Because of that, the baby was able to obtain vital components for her digestive system, until finally the baby was strong enough to go home for the first time. Today she is a thriving and happy toddler.

Milk bank organizations often post very compelling recipient stories from families who have benefited from breast milk donations. Parents are very grateful for the gift they have received, which allows their child a better chance at life. The organization informs potential donors that as little as 1/4 ounce of donated breast milk to help a premature baby thrive. Knowing that U.S. has the highest infant mortality rate of developed countries is alarming (6.1 out of 1,000 births). In addition, this disproportionately affects minority babies. http://californiabreastfeeding.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Pauline-Sakumoto.pdf

Recipient mothers who have received help in the past are likely to donate their milk in the future. Donors who believe in helping the most vulnerable NICU babies are also very likely to donate as well.

I am a proud donor and am honored that my milk will potentially save lives!

-Kandy Liu

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8 days agoPamela Medina Gutierrez INSTRUCTOR MANAGER

RE: Class Prompt

COLLAPSE

Thanks for sharing, Kandy!

I think your story was incredibly compelling. Do these organizations also solicit monetary donations to operate? I wonder if the story-telling could also be re-framed to connect to how financial donations help.

One thing this also reminded me of was a recent webinar I attended on social equity in non-profits. One of the things they discussed was this almost radical idea ("radical" in terms of not being a regular practice) to financially compensate beneficiaries of nonprofit services for their stories. A presenter shared that these stories could be considered "intellectual capital" and should be paid appropriately- not with pizza and beer, but at the same rate you might pay a consultant or staff writer. To the class- what are your thoughts on this?

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5 days agoChristine Becerra

RE: Class Prompt

COLLAPSE

I have mixed feelings. Financially compensating presenters to share their stories may make some donors feel that the stories being shared are not genuine and they may only be doing so for financial gain. But at the same time presenters may need to be compensated for maybe their travel expenses and their time if they are missing work.

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5 days agoKandy Liu

RE: Class Prompt

COLLAPSE

Hi Dr. Medina,

Yes, in addition to breast milk, people may also choose to donate money, time or equipment (walk-in freezers and/or cars to transport milk and provide community outreach). https://mothersmilk.org/fundraising/

Does the story necessarily have to be re-framed for financial donors? I don't believe so. Premature babies need milk, but donors who choose to donate money to the organization will support it in different ways. On the Milk Bank of San Jose's fundraising page, it indicates that $15 can feed a premature baby for 24 hours.

I do not believe beneficiaries should be paid to share their stories. Beneficiaries should only share their stories if they are comfortable with the world knowing intimate details of their lives. Having a financial incentive to do so does not seem appropriate. They have already benefited from the donations, and that should be enough. Organizations on the other hand should not "push" or "force" beneficiaries to tell their stories. Organizations may politely ask, but not assume that all beneficiaries would want to share their stories. Sharing should be done willingly without any financial benefit attached.

FYI: Mothers Milk Bank of San Jose did ask me to share my donation story, but I kindly rejected.