Nonprofits are constantly told to “tell powerful stories” to move donors, but what happens when those stories come at the expense of the people you serve? In this episode, we dive into the messy, important questions behind ethical storytelling: consent, power, and what it really means to honor people’s dignity in your fundraising and communications. Maria and Ceallaigh unpack how photos and personal narratives have historically been used in extractive, colonial ways, and why “we got a signed form” is not enough.
On this week’s episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio sits down with Ceallaigh Smart, Executive Director of Print the Love and Haiti Outreach. Ceallaigh shares how Print the Love has given over 17,000 photos in 27 countries without keeping copies and what that kind of values-driven approach can teach any organization about consent, autonomy, and trust. Nonprofit leaders will walk away with practical ideas on how to audit their current storytelling, start real conversations with their communities, and build policies that center dignity.
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