Engage Donors Through Powerful Storytelling.pdf

In this webinars, members learn how to craft impactful messages that connect with donors to create donor engagement.

1. Engage Donors Through
Powerful Storytelling
Tapp Network
04.29.2025
Hosts: Jason Spangler, Alexis Kenny

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How to Participate

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Introductions
With nearly 20 years of experience in marketing,
communications, and engagement, Alexis is passionate about
creating and implementing strategies that enhance the brand,
visibility, and impact of an organization. Alexis has a strong
background in strategic marketing communications, advertising,
public relations, and community outreach across various
sectors both in the US and internationally.
Alexis Kenny
Senior Marketing Account Manager
Tapp Network
Jason Spangler
Director of Business Development
Tapp Network
Jason brings over 16 years of sales and business development
experience to the team. His ten years of experience in small
business coupled with six in SaaS sales affords him a unique
perspective derived from multiple industries. In the last six years, he
has partnered with over 800 individual clients, including companies
like Bacardi, Lion Street and CTAOP to scale and grow their
operations.

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Empowering Organizations for Good
Problem We Solve
Our Why
How We Innovate and Impact
We transform your visionary goals into digital
realities, empowering nonprofits and
government agencies to thrive in today's
dynamic world.
In the new Age of Acceleration, many nonprofits and government
agencies are challenged by a lack of digital infrastructure. This gap
inhibits their ability to keep pace and effectively support the most
vulnerable populations.
Tapp’s mission is more than just business growth; it's about driving
digital innovation across rapidly expanding sectors. We strive to
transfer our knowledge, tools, and technology to government
agencies and nonprofits that are tackling society's most pressing
challenges.
We achieve this by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence,
developing high-impact websites, software, and data-driven
campaigns. Our AI-enabled digital transformation strategies
enhance the positive impact of the organizations we serve and
amplify their engagement with the communities they support.
www.tappnetwork.com

5. Agenda
➔Why Storytelling Matters
➔Elements of Nonprofit Storytelling
➔Brand Story Workshop
➔Connecting Storytelling to Fundraising &
Marketing
➔Questions & Resources

6. Why does storytelling matter
for nonprofits?

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Why Storytelling Matters
➔Creates emotional connections
➔Makes the cause more relatable
➔Humanizes the mission
➔Motivates people to get involved

So, what does storytelling look like? How do I
create our story?

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Elements of an Effective
Nonprofit Story
Stories transform statistics into human
experiences and connect emotion to your cause.

StoryBrand Framework
•A Character
•Has a Problem
•And Meets a Guide
•Who Gives Them a Plan
•And Calls them to Action
•That Helps Them Avoid Failure
•And Ends in Success

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Pro Tip: Know Your
Audience Before You
Tell Your Story
Most nonprofits have warm audiences already in their ecosystem:
➔Past event attendees
➔Newsletter subscribers
➔Social media followers
➔Friends and family of beneficiaries
➔Community partners
These folks care—but may not have taken action yet.
➔They need clarity, not a hard sell
➔They want to feel like their voice or support matters
➔Your story should meet them where they are
Your job: Tell a story that deepens connection and shows where they fit
into the mission.
So, what does storytelling look like? How do I create our story?

10. Example of Nonprofit Storytelling:
American Heart Association

11. A Character

Your Supporter is the Hero

You’ve followed our work, shared posts,
or talked about heart health with a
friend. You’re here because this
matters.
StoryBrand In Action:
The American Heart Association

12. Has a Problem

The Challenge They Care About

Heart disease remains America’s #1
killer. But can one person make a
difference?

13. And Meets a Guide

The American Heart Association

For over a century, the American Heart
Association has been at the
frontlines—advancing research, training
everyday heroes in CPR, and shaping
life-saving policy. But we’re not the ones
saving lives. You are. We’re simply here to
help you turn your care into action.

14. Who Gives Them a Plan

Here’s How You Can Help

We make it simple. Learn a lifesaving skill,
fund breakthrough research, or use your
voice to push for healthier communities.

15. And Calls Them to Action

Donate Now

Your donation of $50 could provide CPR
training to 10 people. Or sign up to learn
CPR yourself. Every action counts.

16. That Helps Them Avoid Failure

What Happens if We Do Nothing

Every 34 seconds, heart disease claims
another life.

17. And Ends in Success

The Future You Can Help Create

Together, we can save more lives. Your
Donation today will drive critical research,
improve care and empower lifesavers.

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Quick Poll!
Can you engage donors through your brand story?
A.Yes, I have it mastered
B.Sometimes, but I say it differently every time
C.No, I fumble through and ramble on!

19. Brand Story Workshop

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Elements of Your
Brand Story
➔A Character (Your Donor)
➔Has a Problem
➔And Meets a Guide (Your Nonprofit)
➔Who Gives Them a Plan
➔And Calls them to Action
➔That Helps Them Avoid Failure
➔And Ends in Success

21. Connecting Storytelling to
Fundraising & Marketing

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Where Your Brand Story Belongs
in Fundraising & Marketing
●Events & Speeches
●Social Media
●Email & Newsletters
●Website
●Board Engagement
●Grant Applications

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Enhance Storytelling
Through Content Strategy &
Outreach
●Make Your Website a Story Hub
●Bring Consistency to Every Channel
●No Storyteller on Staff? No Problem
●Grow your Donor Base with
Confidence
●Show Your Impact, Not Just Your Effort

24. TechSoup Services

TechSoup and Tapp’s joint mission to empower nonprofits
with marketing tools.

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Digital Marketing & Technology
Audit
Starting at
$3,500

TechSoup’s Marketing Technology Audit helps nonprofits
assess and improve their CRM, CMS, and marketing platforms,
ensuring a data-driven strategy that enhances engagement and
fundraising effectiveness.
What’s Included:
●Tech Audit – Evaluate your digital tools and identify
inefficiencies.
●Marketing Strategy – Develop a full-funnel roadmap for
donor engagement and conversion.
●Platform Recommendations – Optimize or integrate CRM,
marketing automation, and outreach tools.
●User Journey Mapping – Define key touchpoints to improve
engagement.
●Campaign Strategy – Tailored digital campaigns to attract
and retain donors.

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Affordable. Efficient. Impactful
Digital Marketing Retainer Packages
Upgrade ($899/month)
●10 Hours of Support/Unlimited
Requests
●Access to Subject Matter Experts
●Everything in Tier 1 plus:
○CRM support
○Social media and blog
production
○SEO analysis and support
○Email production
○Request-based meetings
Premium ($1,299/month)
●10 Hours of Support/Unlimited
Requests
●Access to Subject Matter Experts
●Dedicated Account Manager
●Strategic Support
●Everything in Upgrade plus:
○Custom development and
design work
○Automation and integrations
○Strategy sessions and
expert-guided advice
○Ad management
○Content writing
○Standing 30-minute account
call per month

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How We Can Help You - Learn More Here

























Strategy
Start with a technology audit and
digital marketing game-plan to
accelerate your growth and market
share within your sector.
Integration & Migration
Build bridges and knock down silos
with simple and painless CRM
integrations and migrations that are
seamless to your team.
E- Commerce
We deploy the transactional services
and software you need to increase
sales across all your audience touch
points.
SEO and Content
Marketing
Build bridges and knock down silos
with simple and painless CRM
integrations and migrations that are
seamless to your team.
HubSpot
Implementation
Ensure a smooth and successful
transition from an alternative solution
to HubSpot, without all the
headaches.
Creative and Branding
Make your brand stand out from your
competitors to reach the right
customers with the right message.
Web and APP
Development
With our 20+ years of experience, we
know your 24/7 salesperson must be
beautiful, functional, and optimized
for your goals.
Sales Enablement
We can help you close the loop
between your marketing and sales
teams—and more desirable deals.
Inbound Marketing
We provide the complete solution to
increasing leads, revenue, and brand
authority as a Platinum Hubspot
Partner
Social Media Marketing
One of the most effective ways to
engage influencers, customers and
prospects to drive brand awareness,
followers, and sales

Paid Media
TAPP makes your budget go further
with a targeted approach to reaching
your buyer personas in search and
social.
Public Relations
Defining the right audience and
media channels to build regional and
national brand recognition as well as
thought leadership.

29. Resources
For TechSoup Members

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The State of AI in Nonprofits:
2025 Benchmark Report
on Adoption, Impact & Trends
Download NOW

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Ready to Get Started?

The time to act is now—equip your nonprofit with marketing tools that
empower your team, engage your supporters, and drive long-term
impact.
Contact Us

32. Any Questions?

33. Thank You!
Tapp Network
[email protected]
tappnetwork.com