National Nonprofit Day (August 17) is a powerful opportunity to spotlight the people, stories, and impact behind your mission. Whether you’re a small team or a large organization, this holiday gives you a reason to pause, celebrate, and connect with your community.

But here’s the thing: if you wait until the last minute, you might miss your chance to share something truly meaningful. That’s why now is the perfect time to start collecting stories that will help you show, not just tell, why your mission matters.

7 Stories to Share on National Nonprofit Day

Use these storytelling ideas to guide your content planning for the big day. These can be collected as video, photo, or written submissions, and they work great on social media channels, in emails, or on your website.

1. Program Participant’s Stories

When you put the power of storytelling directly into the hands of those you serve, you are providing a human perspective on the positive change your organization brings. These testimonials highlight the real, authentic impact of your work and empower beneficiaries to have their voices heard.

Consider asking: 

• How did (this organization) help you overcome the challenges you were facing?
• Where would you be today without (this organization)?

2. Volunteer Spotlights

The incredible work provided by volunteers is the heartbeat of many nonprofit organizations. Volunteer testimonials offer a unique boots-on-the-ground perspective that can be captured in real time. When you take the time to highlight the dedication and efforts of your volunteers, the outcome is two-fold: you humanize your cause and inspire others to get involved.

Consider asking:

• Will you tell us about the first time you volunteered with (this organization)?
• How does volunteering with (this organization) make you feel?

3. Staff Reflections

Stories collected from staff members offer a behind-the-scenes look at the people driving your nonprofit’s mission forward, which is a fantastic trust-building tool. The truth is, your audience loves to see how their dollars impact the day-to-day operations, but these stories are often not shared publicly. Take the time to capture the unique stories that staff members hold and elevate their hard work regularly.

Consider asking: 

• How does (this organization) make our community a better place?
• What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in your department about (this organization)?

4. Donor Testimonials

Donor stories articulate why individuals choose to support your cause, which can give your organization valuable insights into how outsiders view your mission and impact. Collecting and sharing the perspectives of donors is a great way to foster community and encourage continued philanthropic giving over time.

Consider asking: 

• There are a lot of nonprofits out there – what is special to you about (this organization)?
• Why did you decide to make a gift to (this organization) today?

5. Community Partner Perspectives

The partnerships built between a nonprofit and its for-profit and community supporters are some of the strongest, long-lasting relationships your organization will endure. Showcase successful collaborations, highlight your shared goals and demonstrate your collective achievements over time. Your partners will love having their philanthropic efforts shared, and your audience will enjoy learning about members of the community who support your cause so they can support them as well!

Consider asking: 

• What is it about (this organization’s) mission that aligns with your organization’s  priorities? 
• How many years has your organization been involved with (this organization) and how has the partnership evolved over time?

6. Board Member Stories

Board members have a wealth of institutional knowledge, including: the process of program creation and expansion, memories and takeaways from fundraising events, major donor trends, and major “firsts” and milestones at the organization. When you collect and organize these stories, there are two benefits: Your growing organization will have the ability to share unique insights with your audience, and you will have material for time capsule opportunities in the future.

Consider asking: 

• What was it about (this organization) that inspired you to join our board?
• What is the biggest transformation you’ve witnessed at (this organization)?

7. Your Founder’s Story

Sharing the origin story of your organization connects your audience to the heart behind your mission. A founder’s story offers insight into the passion, values, and lived experiences that inspired your work in the first place. It humanizes your organization, builds trust, and reminds supporters that real people – people just like them – saw a problem and took action.

Consider asking:

• What moment or experience led you to start (this organization)?
• What was the biggest obstacle you faced in the early days and how did you overcome it?

Make It Easy with a Story Collection Tool

You don’t need a big production team or complicated software to collect and share these stories. Tools like MemoryFox let you easily collect video, photo, or written stories with one simple link, with no downloaded apps or logins required. 

Want to see what it’s like? Try our sample National Nonprofit Day story campaign to submit a story and experience the tool it from your audience’s point of view!

Or, if you’re ready to set up your own story collection campaigns, book some time with our team and we’ll help you get started.

Start Now to Celebrate Big on August 17

Don’t wait until National Nonprofit Day, or any of these other major nonprofit holidays, to scramble for content. Start collecting stories now so you’re ready to go. Whether you post one powerful quote or a whole week’s worth of content, your community is full of voices worth hearing.