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You are here: Home / Non-Profit Storytelling Examples / Like Cutting an Onion. How One Non-profit Used Video to Tell an Inspiring Story.
Like Cutting an Onion. How One Non-profit Used Video to Tell an Inspiring Story.

Non-Profit Storytelling Examples

Like Cutting an Onion. How One Non-profit Used Video to Tell an Inspiring Story.

Last week there was a great video from the Humane Society of Silicon Valley making its way around the Internet. The video (below) is about Eric and Peety, and it’s a story about how they saved each other. This story is part of the Humane Society of Silicon Valley’s story-based campaign called Mutual Rescue.

What’s great about this story

There are so many great things about this story but here are my top favorites.

In the first 25 seconds of the video, they convey everything you need to know about the story. The conflict is created and we learn how the conflict was avoided. The rest of this video fills in the gap to tell the story.

There is raw, vulnerable emotion throughout the story. I often hear non-profits tell me that they think being emotional will come across as manipulative or fake. I’d encourage you to watch this video and ask yourself: “Does this emotion seem manipulative or fake?” I’m going to bet that you’ll say no. That’s because this video is authentic and when emotion is authentic, there’s nothing manipulative or fake about it. If you don’t believe me, read the comments on YouTube.

There is a unique message behind the campaign and story. Amazing videos and stories from non-profits who work with animals are easy to find. But what’s unique about this campaign is the idea of mutual rescue. It calls for a different type of story. Stories where people’s lives were changed not just animal lives.

The call to action is to share your story. They have created a great online form where people can submit their stories of mutual rescue.

What do you think of this video story? What ideas could you apply to your next story?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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About Vanessa Chase Lockshin

My name is Vanessa Chase Lockshin, and I want to empower you to tell your story. In my personal life, finding ways to tell my stories has been a transformational practice. In my fundraising life, I’ve helped hundreds of organizations tell their stories to engage and inspire their donors. To date, my work has helped non-profits raise over $10 million.

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Comments

  1. Eric O'Grey says

    March 15, 2016 at 7:02 am

    Hi Vanessa – I am Eric from the video, and I love your unique blog post about the story. Much <3 from Eric, Jake and Peety. 🙂

    • Vanessa Chase Lockshin says

      March 16, 2016 at 2:19 am

      Eric – What an honor to have you read this post, and thank you for telling such a moving story! It’s one of my all-time favorites!

      • Eric O'Grey says

        March 16, 2016 at 2:30 am

        Your blog post was seen by many of the people involved in the film and everyone thought it was beautiful.

        Thank you again.

Hi there!

My name is Vanessa Chase Lockshin and I've helped non-profits raise over $10 million by telling stories that engage and inspire donors. I'm the author of The Storytelling Non-Profit: A practical guide to telling stories that raise money and awareness, and the creator of immersive online training programs that have trained thousands of non-profit professionals. Read More…

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