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Ep. 46 | DonorDock x Tellwell: Bringing WellTold to Life

In this special episode of Beyond the Donation, Matt Bitzegaio and Rob Burke from DonorDock sit down with Max Kringen from Tellwell to discuss something big—the WellTold Storytelling Conference coming this April. This event is all about equipping nonprofits with the tools and strategies to tell their stories in a way that drives impact. In this episode, we dive into the journey that brought DonorDock and Tellwell together, the challenges and excitement of launching a brand-new conference, and why storytelling is a game-changer for nonprofits. Plus, we share how you can get involved and be part of this first-of-its-kind event!

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Donation

00:27 Introduction to Tellwell and DonorDock

01:18 The Origin Story of DonorDock

05:10 Innovating Through Simplicity

08:23 The WellTold Storytelling Conference

14:37 Excitement and Concerns for the Conference

18:36 How to Engage with DonorDock and WellTold Conference

20:21 Closing Remarks

To Connect with Tellwell:

Tellwell | Tellwell LinkedIn | Max LinkedIn

To Connect with Beyond the Donation Podcast:

BTD Podcast | DonorDock LinkedIn | Matt LinkedIn

How do nonprofits use storytelling to engage donors?

Use real people — one named beneficiary, one specific moment, one outcome — instead of statistics. Tell stories across every channel in sequence: a longer version on the blog, a condensed version in email, a one-sentence version in text. Donors respond to faces and moments far more reliably than to averages and totals. Stories turn data into meaning.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

What is the 'start with the person' storytelling strategy?

Open every story with a specific individual — their name, their situation, one sensory detail — instead of the organization's background. Research on donor psychology consistently shows that identifiable-victim stories outraise statistical appeals by large margins. "Maria, a 62-year-old grandmother in Cleveland…" outperforms "1,200 seniors served this year" every time.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

Who owns story collection at a nonprofit?

Shared ownership between program staff (who witness stories) and development staff (who use them). A simple system — a form in your CRM, a monthly 15-minute "story meeting," a shared folder for photos and quotes — produces more usable stories than leaving collection to whoever writes the next appeal. Make it a routine, not an emergency.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

How many stories should a nonprofit collect each year?

Aim for one strong story per program per quarter, plus a running library of micro-stories — donor quotes, staff moments, beneficiary snapshots. Twelve strong stories per year is enough to power every appeal, newsletter, board report, and major donor meeting. Without a systematic collection process, storytelling becomes crisis-scrambling right before the next appeal.

Last updated

April 25, 2026

Author

Sarah O'Brien

Marketing and Outreach Manager

Last updated:

April 28, 2026

Written by

Sarah O'Brien

Marketing and Outreach Manager

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