This virtual workshop will explore the power of storytelling in grantseeking. Participants will hear, reflect on, and discuss several impactful stories from the presenter while also briefly exploring the work of Marshall Ganz through a writing exercise that uses Ganz's model of storytelling: The story of self, the story of us, and the story of now.
This model is something all grantseekers can employ when writing narratives for grant applications and grant reports. The session will close out by highlighting elements of strong storytelling for nonprofit organizations to keep in mind.
The workshop will cover:
- 4 Stories of impact
- Reflection and discussion of stories
- Elements of strong stories for nonprofits
Event Details
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please
email MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
This event is done in partnership with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Kansas Nonprofit Centre, and Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP). Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Kansas Nonprofit Centre, and MANP members can register at the MCN member rate with instructions provided by their respective state associates.
Visit the Events and Registration FAQ page or
contact MCN's help desk for questions about registering.
Speaker Information
Jonathan C. W. Jones is a seasoned award winning educator, founder and CEO of Ideation4 who works with educators, schools, districts, nonprofit professionals and under-resourced communities through proposal workshops, coaching, consulting, and innovation. His passion lies across the intersections of education, business, and philanthropy. Jonathan believes in the power of ideas and helping others realize they have the power to make their ideas into reality. Jonathan has landed several local and national grants & awards from Bush Foundation to NASA, and has collaborated with several organizations to impact students, educators and community builders in the Twin Cities area.
Jonathan recently participated in Headwaters Foundation for Justice's (HFJ) Giving Project Cohort 5, which raising over $250,000 for 12 organizations for and by people of color. This work led Jonathan, his cohort peers, and HFJ staff to be invited to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' annual conference this past October to present "Another World Is Possible: Revolutionizing Fundraising & Grantmaking Through Headwaters' Giving Project." Jonathan also volunteers as a program officer for Raymond W. Cannon Education Foundation, which is the non-profit charitable arm of the Gamma Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and he is also on the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits conference planning team creating a new innovative virtual hybrid fundraising, communications & technology conference called ACTcon scheduled for September 2020.
Currently, he works as an instructional coach for Saint Paul Public School working out of the Office of Specialized Services. He holds a BA and Masters Degree in Special Education and a K-12 Administrator License. Jonathan is looking to deepen his understanding of how fundraising and grantmaking can address inequities in the Twin Cities.