STORYTELLING AND SOCIAL CHANGE:

STRATEGIES FOR GRANTMAKERS

A resource guide now in progress
By Paul VanDeCarr
Email paulvdc (at) gmail (dot) com

 

 

PROJECT NEWS:

  • RESEARCH IS COMPLETE: The research phase of the project is now over, and I've interviewed over 75 people in grantmaking, communications, storytelling, and more.
  • A NOTE TO INTERVIEWEES: Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey, and who spoke with me. I will plan to be in touch with you in June to confirm quotes. 
  •  FOR FURTHER UPDATES: Bookmark this page and watch for occasional project updates. Or email paulvdc (at) gmail (dot) com to ask questions, or to receive notice of when the guide is complete.
  • RELEASE DATE: The anticipated release date of May 2012 is getting pushed back, and the guide will be released this summer. Grantmakers interested in booking talks or webinars about the guide, please contact me at paulvdc (at) gmail (dot) com.

THE PROJECT: Storytelling is a powerful tool for communications, organizing, and evaluation. Consider efforts that use oral history to expose human rights abuses, documentary films for prison reform, telenovelas to advance immigrants’ health, or digital storytelling to prevent LGBT youth suicide. What's more, conferences and consultancies help foundations and nonprofits “tell your story” to publicize a cause or frame an issue. Recognizing the value of stories, many grantmakers have funded organizations that use “narrative strategies.” In order to document and support the field, I am researching and writing a guide called Storytelling and Social Change: Strategies for Grantmakers.

This practical guide will serve grantmakers who do use or want to use narrative strategies in their funding and communications programs. The guide will look at the recent history of storytelling and social change; review the theories of change behind this work; provide case studies of 6-8 projects and funders; offer resources and recommendations to build the field; and include sidebar interviews and other features. The guide will be made publicly available at no charge; the expected release date is summer 2012. 

ABOUT ME: I am a writer, researcher, and strategist for foundations and nonprofits. Clients have included Philanthropy New York, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, GrantCraft (I wrote “Grants to Individuals” and co-wrote “Communicating for Impact"), Active Voice (“The Prenups” about filmmaker-funder relations), and others. I do a blog and podcast called “Inside Stories.” I have master’s degrees from the Kennedy School of Government and the Divinity School at Harvard University. More information on the front page of my website.

PARTNERS: This project is supported by a Brimstone Award from the National Storytelling Network. Partner organizations include Provisions Library and the Echoing Green Foundation, and they will help inform the research and disseminate the report.