Raising Impact: Storytelling for Nonprofits

The Dollar A Day Foundation is both a charity and funder that supports grassroots mental health and addictions organizations across Canada. In this episode, Executive Director Heather Spratt explains the foundation’s unusual model—recurring donations pooled and granted out, with 100% of individual gifts going to grantees—and its trust-based approach that lets organizations decide how to use funds....

After seeing a group assembling comfort kits for unhoused women, Sarah Sherman realized the same kind of support could have helped after her own sexual assault forensic exam. In this episode, Sarah shares how that moment sparked We’re Here For You Canada, a volunteer-run charity that partners with hospitals to provide curated comfort kits to survivors of sexual violence. She explains what’s inside...

Atlantic Impact is now Raising Impact: Storytelling for Nonprofits . We’re expanding beyond Atlantic Canada and speaking with organizations across the country about how they're using storytelling in their work. In this episode, we venture to Ontario to speak with Marvin Karon, Director of Shakespearience Performing Arts, which uses interactive Shakespeare-based programs to challenge young people (...

Can small in-person storytelling circles drive big change in the nonprofit world? After her own experience with burnout, Jennifer DeCoste founded FireLoch as a place where her fellow burnt out peers in the nonprofit sector could rest and reconnect with their work. In this episode, Jennifer shares how untold stories catalyzed the creation of FireLoch, what kinds of storytelling feel most authentic...

“ Storytelling is imperfect and very human. And that's what makes it accessible.” In this episode, Lynn Panting of Business and Arts NL joins us to talk about  storytelling, creativity, and connection. Lynn shares insights into the organization’s new Narrative Marketing Initiative, how to prioritize storytelling when capacity is limited, and the value of starting small and staying consistent. 00:3...

The same story can be told in many different ways. In this episode, The Gaia Project’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, Travis Daley, shares how this environmental and climate education organization adapts its storytelling depending on the audience (i.e. teachers vs government stakeholders vs donors) to make sure they resonate. He also brings insights on training your team to collect stories, how n...

People relate to people, not institutions. That’s why Hillary Webb, the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation’s Fund Development Manager, thinks of fundraisers as not just facilitators of funds but as stewards of stories. In this episode, Hillary shares her helpful and actionable “Five I’s of Storytelling,” advice for sharing sensitive or negative stories, and why she doesn’t see charitable organiza...

In the inaugural episode, co-hosts Tanya Wall and Michelle Samson introduce the origin story and mission of the series, which aims to help Atlantic Canada nonprofits leverage storytelling to enhance fundraising and community engagement. Then they sit down with Erik Ayers, Founder and CTO of GoodSeeker, to discuss the data-backed benefits of storytelling, how small stories are crucial for building...

Atlantic IMPACT is a podcast that helps nonprofits across Atlantic Canada use storytelling to drive fundraising and awareness. Each episode features conversations with people working in community, sharing how story supports connection, impact, and long-term growth. Whether you're part of a nonprofit or simply care about your community, this podcast invites you to listen, reflect, and engage.  Is y...