Building the Case Together: Storytelling as a Team Sport
March 11th | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Strong fundraising and impact communications don’t live in silos—they are built collaboratively among staff from development, communications, program and data teams.
This multi-part interactive session explores how nonprofits can align outcomes data, storytelling, and donor-centered messaging to strengthen proposals, reports, and pitches. Participants will learn how to translate data into meaning, craft narratives that resonate with funders, and ensure everyone on the team is telling the same compelling story—no matter the audience.
Facilitator: Laurel Molloy
Panelists: Lori Ryan, Jim Brogna, and Alison Woody
Who Should Attend
- Anyone who contributes to your grant writing or reporting process
- Those crafting impact messaging for the public
- Anyone involved in donor and funder pitches, proposals, or stewardship communications
- Data and/or program team members who contribute to any of the above
The panel will explore how storytelling functions as a shared responsibility across roles and departments—and how nonprofits can better integrate data, lived experience, and donor perspective. Learn tools and strategies, best practices, and who should be on your “team” in this high impact session.
Registration is required, though there is no cost to attend this complimentary training. Coffee and breakfast items will be provided at no additional cost.
About the Facilitator & Panelists
Laurel Molloy helps organizations increase impact by clarifying outcomes and how to achieve and measure them. She founded Innovations Quantified (IQ) in 1999 and has since trained and advised hundreds of nonprofits and foundations in the U.S. and internationally. Known for her practical, accessible approach to evaluation and logic models, she is a frequent speaker and author of Finally – Outcome Measurement Strategies Anyone Can Understand. Laurel holds an MPA from NYU Wagner and a BA from Holy Cross, serves on the board of the Association of Nonprofit Specialists, and runs a residential camp for youth with chronic illnesses.
Lori Ryan is Community Outreach & Resource Development Manager at Outreach – Center for Community Resources, serving families in Northeastern Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years. She leads fundraising, branding, and engagement for programs in workforce development, education, parenting support, and reentry. A Scranton native with degrees from Keystone College and Tyler School of Art, she previously worked as a photo editor in New York, exhibited regionally, taught at Keystone College, co-founded STEAMworks, and co-directed CameraWork Gallery. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her family.
Jim Brogna is a nonprofit executive with 25+ years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and communications. As Vice President at Allied Services Integrated Health System, he leads marketing strategy, partnerships, and mission growth, helping generate over $7 million through signature initiatives. An active leader in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), he specializes in donor engagement, brand strategy, and mission-driven storytelling across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Alison Woody is Associate Director of Grant Writing at Food Allergy Research & Education, leading foundation, corporate, and government proposals. With 16+ years’ experience, she has secured major grants from federal agencies and national foundations, and previously led grants and communications at Geisinger and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA. She holds degrees from Wilkes University and Misericordia University and serves on the board of her local AFP chapter in Scranton, PA.
