Page 3 - June JSF report

A GOOD STORY TOLD WELL
Story telling is a powerful tool to connect us. Stories convey knowledge and information that helps us understand each other better. Stories can provide context and explanation that shed light
on who we are and what’s important to us. I’ve been reminded of this through Joseph M. Marshall III’s The Lakota Way. Marshall shares “stories and lessons for living” to convey “Native American wisdom on ethics and character.” Stories can also connect us in a very personal way. Stories can evoke real feelings of admiration, respect and emotional intimacy. Who of us could forget Caleb’s life story he shared in March of 2023? After hearing Caleb and Bea’s story, we are all closer to them.
Stories play a meaningful role in our work at JSF. Student testimonies (their stories) bring flesh-and-blood illustrations to the work we fund. Leadership stories give context and insight to the people who have committed their professional lives to the students we aim to reach.
Good organizational stories cover:
• Who are they as an organization?
• What are they trying to do? For instance, a calling to serve deserving people with a clear mission
• How are they trying to do it? For example, a capable leadership team to execute a promising strategy
• Have they been and/or can they be successful? Display of data to demonstrate success
But to tell a good story, you must first have a good story. Good story telling is a fruit of maturity in a nonprofit. The underlying work of the organization must be good with data to prove it. Then, leadership must recognize the value of their story to appropriate the resources of time, attention and funding to develop it.
Next, you must take these story components and present them well – “tell a good story.” Good story telling is efficient and clear. It presents compelling data through the lens of people and their stories. The results are quantified for clarity, but the story sheds light on the ripple effect of results – families and communities. The story must then be told well. Depending on the medium used, this can be expensive.
Finally, the good story that is told well needs to get in front of the right audience. JSF grantee partner Elevation Scholars gets story telling. You’re going to want to hear this story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmRfL-HP5Wg
Robert A. Krause
Page 1 HORIZONS