Rustic Roots

🎉 10 Years Ago Today, Rustic Roots Got Its Name 🎉 On December 17, 2014, Rustic Roots was born—not as a company (that came in March 2015), but as an idea, a name, and a vision for storytelling that connects and inspires. The name Rustic Roots speaks to the heart of who we are and what we do: Rustic reflects authenticity, simplicity, human stories—the kind that connect us to what really matters. Roots represent grounding, growth, and the foundation of the stories we tell—stories that inspire change and help organizations grow. Today marks the beginning: the moment we defined what we wanted to build and who we wanted to be. What started as a name has grown into 10 years of impactful stories, incredible partnerships, and moments that matter. Over the next few months, we’ll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary—sharing memories, milestones, and gratitude for everyone who’s been part of the journey so far. Here’s to where we started, what we’ve built, and where we’re going next.

We are super excited to be sponsoring and exhibiting at the Leading Philanthropy conference tomorrow in Philadelphia! If you'll be at the conference, stop by and say hi at booth 20! Big thanks to Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Philadelphia Chapter (AFP-GPC), Association of Fundraising Professionals - NJ, Southern Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals (Berks Regional Chapter), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) - Brandywine Chapter, & The Foundation For Delaware County for putting on the event!

🚨 New Storytelling Intersections Alert! 🚨 In the latest episode, we had the honor of chatting with Derria Ford, MBA, Ed. D Ford, Chief Development Officer at the Martha O'Bryan Center, about an important topic: Storytelling & Ethics in the social sector. We discuss how storytelling can unintentionally cause harm, explore ways to keep it both ethical and authentic, and hear Derria's guiding principles for ethical storytelling. Watch and share your thoughts! 

📢 New Episode Alert: Storytelling Intersections with Mitch Stein! This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mitch Stein, Head of Strategy at Chariot (givechariot.com). Our conversation delved into the intersection of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and storytelling. In this episode, we chatted about: ✨ Effective storytelling strategies for communicating the impact of Donor Advised Fund (DAF) contributions ✨ Unique challenges and opportunities when engaging DAF donors ✨ Emerging DAF gifting trends that mirror current donor priorities Tune in for practical insights and strategies that can help your nonprofit connect more effectively with DAF donors. Listen now and let us know your thoughts!

We're thrilled to invite you to watch the premiere episode of our new video series, "Storytelling Intersections," where we explore the profound impact of storytelling through engaging conversations with industry experts.   Our first episode dives into Storytelling and Humor, featuring a conversation with Lynne Wester and T. Clay Buck, CFRE, the charismatic hosts of the popular Fundraising is Funny podcast.   Lynne and Clay's unique blend of wit and wisdom provides a fresh perspective on how humor can be a transformative tool in storytelling, particularly for nonprofits seeking to ignite change, foster connections, and drive innovation.   https://lnkd.in/e42pcwhG   Stay tuned for more episodes, where we'll continue to explore the profound intersections of storytelling.

Something epic is coming soon for the impact sector - and the Rustic Roots team is thrilled to be a part of bringing it to life.   Registration is open for ImpactUp, a virtual and in-person nonprofit event brought to you by We Are For Good - our favorite impact community to learn, gather, and activate to be a positive shift in the world.   So here's the deets:    On July 11, join us and thousands of do-gooders for one day of virtual conversation and convening to help awaken collective power. By night, the We Are For Good Community is hosting local meet-ups in 15+ cities across the globe. Join us in registering (it's free!) for the summit and/or a local meet-up near you. >>> https://lnkd.in/eAF96Q2D   Matthew Reynolds will cohost the New York City meet-up, and Maria Bryan will cohost the Tallahassee, FL, meet-up.   We'll be in conversation about:   ✅Reclaiming our personal power + our organization's power + our sector's power ✅Shifting power in the way we work (cheers for vibrant cultures!) ✅Shifting power dynamics in funder/ grantee/ equity/ internal relationships ✅Shifting power in communication + ownership of our story ✅Shifting power in work/life/balance ✅Shifting power in how we find joy in our work ✅Releasing beliefs that no longer serve us   Will we see you there?

AFP ICON has always been a highlight for us here at Rustic Roots. If we sum up the experience in one word, it would be "Community." Over the past four years, we've had the privilege of building numerous meaningful relationships at ICON, and this year was no exception. And our Storytelling Intersections series was a big success! We interviewed speakers and nonprofit leaders - Lynne Wester, T. Clay Buck, CFRE, Kel Haney, Derria Ford, MBA, Ed. D, Tim Sarrantonio, Abigail Jarvis, Julia Campbell, Jesse Park, Tim Lockie, John Lepp, Tasha Van Vlack, Mitch Stein, and Meenakshi (Meena) Das. Take a look at the recap to get a glimpse of the insightful discussions. It was inspiring to spend time with industry leaders at our booth, engaging in insightful discussions about storytelling. Stay tuned for the full episodes of Storytelling Intersections from Rustic Roots, which we'll be rolling out soon!

Will you be at #AFPIcon? We are heading to Toronto on April 7 for AFP Icon– the world's largest fundraising conference. Will you be there? We would love to see you! Head to booth #1301 to say hi and take part in our Storytelling Intersections series, which we'll be hosting throughout the conference. Storytelling intersects with so much of our nonprofit work. With over 10 sessions, we'll explore how compelling storytelling can ignite change, foster deeper connections, and drive innovation across fundraising, marketing, donor relations, and more. Featured speakers include Meenakshi (Meena) Das, Mitch Stein, Tasha Van Vlack, John Lepp Tim Lockie, Jesse Park, Julia Campbell, Aimée Lindenberger, CFRE, Tim Sarrantonio, Abigail Jarvis, T. Clay Buck, CFRE, Derria Ford, MBA, Ed. D, Kel Haney, and Lynne Wester So, if you're attending AFP ICON, don't miss Storytelling Intersections! Stop by booth #1301 to learn more, and be sure to follow us on social media for updates. PS. And if you won't be at ICON this year, be on the lookout for the recap video we'll be sharing!

A powerful and impactful video not only informs but also moves your audience. Crafting an effective video appeal goes beyond just stating the facts—it's about forging an emotional connection that inspires action. What does it look like to engage both the heart and mind? Engage the Heart 🧑🤝🧑 Share genuine stories that resonate with your audience's experiences and emotions.  🎵 Choose uplifting music and imagery that complement your narrative. Inspiring visuals and soundtracks can evoke feelings of optimism, motivation, and empowerment. 🎉 Celebrate achievements and milestones, both big and small, to instill a sense of pride and happiness, encouraging continued support and engagement. Engage the Mind 📋 Clearly communicate your mission and goals 📊 Back up your messaging with data, statistics, and credible information 📣 Provide clear calls-to-action that motivate your audience Do you want support creating video appeals that stir the heart and mind? DM us, and let's chat!

We find immense joy in partnering with nonprofit organizations like yours to help share your mission through visual storytelling. 💖 Here are five reasons why we love working with nonprofits: 🌍 Purpose-driven work: We're inspired by organizations like yours that exist to make a positive difference in the world. 🎥✨ Creativity with a cause: We enjoy the creative challenge of producing videos that educate, engage, and inspire action around a social cause. 🌱 Lasting social impact: Your work creates meaningful, long-term change. It's gratifying to know our videos support programs and services that truly help people. 🌟 Shared values: We are deeply aligned with your values and vision for a better world. Collaborating with an organization that shares our commitment to social good is a privilege. 🤝 Partnership: More than a vendor, we see ourselves as partners in creating videos that powerfully communicate your inspirational work. We value this collaborative relationship. Thank you for all you do to create a brighter future. 💕Happy Valentine’s Day! #NonprofitLove