Non-Profit Fundraising Expert Dan Portnoy Speaks at Ideation Conference

PASADENA, Calif., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Non-profit Fundraising consultant Dan Portnoy spoke at the Ideation Conference in Chicago recently as he taught seminar participants how to raise money for their causes by connecting emotionally with their audiences through the power of story, which is the main theme of his book, "The Non-Profit Narrative."

He also announced today that "The Non-Profit Narrative" will be available for 24 hours as a free download at Amazon (http://amzn.to/J6x4wu) starting from 12 a.m. -- midnight Pacific time on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

"The book will help non-profit organizations and their marketing directors who are looking to connect with their audience using modern fundraising techniques. These good people are passionate about their causes and they want to make a difference in this world," said Portnoy, president of Portnoy Media Group who consults with non-profits like United Way of Greater Los Angeles, International Justice Mission, and Union Rescue Mission.

"With the right story, managers at non-profit organizations can control their message and distribute it to their key donors who share their passion for their causes to help people, animals and issues," said Portnoy, an in-demand speaker at conferences, conventions and company training sessions. For information about his speaking engagements, go to http://www.portnoymediagroup.com/speaking.

"Non-profits, including schools, churches and associations, fail to connect emotionally with their donors. They present dry bullet points of facts and figures, which don't motivate people. They need to tell stories which intrigue and excite people so they want to support their cause," he said.

At the Ideation conference, Portnoy told a standing-room-only audience they could raise more money if they connect with your audience by telling your story in the best way possible.

The Ideation Conference is a unique conference experience that gathers some of the most innovative thinkers and practitioners in the field of social good (e.g., businesses, organizations, influencers, etc.) in order to help fellow practitioners develop thoughts and tangible next steps for greater impact in their respective work.

"When non-profits share their stories, donors share their wallets," he said.

"The Non-Profit Narrative: How Stories Can Save the World" helps non-profit marketing thrive by telling great stories. The book also helps non-profit philanthropy learn how to:

• Communicate a narrative in the digital space.
• Improve donor cultivation and donor acquisition.
• Communicate with engagement, connection and more donors.

Each chapter is designed to help non-profits apply storytelling principles to their day-to-day operations and communications for maximum impact. "Each organization has a great story to tell and I want to encourage non-profits and NGOs to interpret fundraising and engagement through the perspective of storytelling," said Portnoy, who has appeared on NPR and Fox Business.

Portnoy told the Ideation audience three fundraising tips for increasing donations through story telling:

1. Build a story that's true.
2. Build a story that resonates.
3. Keep the cookies on the bottom shelf - make it easy for your audience to get to the good stuff!

"Every non-profit has their strength or magic key for connecting and engaging donors. Telling your story well across platforms is what this book can do for your organization," he said.

About Dan Portnoy

Dan is the author of "The Non-Profit Narrative: How Stories Can Save the World." He loves helping passionate people strive for the impossible and on several occasions he's seen it happen.

For over a decade, Dan has worked with the toughest outposts of Fortune 500 companies to get them back on track and with big results. He is sought after to help flesh out business ideas, coach teams and lead senior staff through the digital age. In 2006, he started The Portnoy Media Group to help non-profits, companies and organizations better tell their stories for impact and engagement. His communication strategies have helped multiple non-profit organizations double their online donations year over year and raise millions.

He's been a producer and a director for multiple projects, including The Great American Road Trip, a five-part miniseries documentary/reality show.

SOURCE Portnoy Media Group