Rappahannock United Way

Writing Your Agency Success Story

Agenda

What is a Success Story?

Why Write Success Stories?

How to Write Success Stories

- Demonstrate Positive Impact

- Show Human Interest

- Keep It Simple

Examples

April 22, 20232

What is a Success Story?

• A story that shows how the program has made a POSITIVE difference in people’s lives.

• A narrative description of the program. Sets a scene, tells a story and describes how the program made a difference.

April 22, 20233

Why Write Success Stories?

• To show the value of the program to those who give money and other resources

• To be accountable to donors• To communicate how we have made a difference

April 22, 20234

How to Write a Success Story

• Four Elements

• Situation – What was the problem, issue or concern?

• Response – How did the program solve the problem?

• Results – What was the outcome? Who benefited?

• Evidence – What were the changes and benefits using qualitative and/or quantitative data? Quote beneficiaries

April 22, 20235

How to Write a Success Story

• Answer the 5 W’s and an H

• Who?• What?• Where?• When?• Why?• How?

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How to Write a Success Story

• Length• No length requirement, but use good judgment

• 5 pages is probably too long, but 5 sentences is probably too short

April 22, 20237

Demonstrate Positive Impact

• Keep stories positive – want to show success of program, not failure

• Don’t write a sob story• Unique is good – what did your agency do for the individual that

nobody else could/was able to?• Be specific – how did you help? What was the outcome of the

program?

April 22, 20238

Develop an Angle

• What do you want reader to think/do/feel?• Human Interest – Great angle for success stories

• Makes it personal, relatable

• Talk about a person, family, etc.

• Give them a name– Don’t just say “Client A” and “Client B”

• Use quotes. How does he/she feel about this?– Ask open ended questions

• Other angles include uniqueness, conflict, helpfulness/special interest

April 22, 20239

Keep It Simple

• Use short sentences• Use adjectives sparingly• Get the point across • Make it quick and easy to read in one sitting• Focus on facts, not fluff• Avoid jargon specific to your field• If you can say it in 10 words rather than 20, say it in 10

April 22, 202310

Keep It Simple

• Before – Too wordy

• PHHS Block Grant funds are used to provide population-based prevention services to reduce tobacco use by adults.

• After

• PHHS Block Grant funds are used to reduce tobacco use by adults.

April 22, 202311

Keep It Simple

• Before – Too wordy

• PHHS Block Grant funds are used to present 31 basic and advanced level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) classes in communities statewide during the 2003 fiscal year thereby insuring that an adequate pool of personnel are available to staff the local community ambulance services.

• After

• In 2003, PHHS Block Grant funds were used to carry out 31 basic and advanced level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) classes in communities statewide. Courses insure that a well-trained pool of personnel are available to staff local community ambulance services.

April 22, 202312

Exercise

Good vs. Bad

April 22, 202313

Thank you

Rappahannock United Way