The Giving Story Workshop

Transform Donors into Passionate Advocates

Uncover Stories that Inspire Giving

  • Reveal the roots of donor generosity to strengthen relationships and boost retention
  • Guide donors to share values-based stories, inspiring deeper, lasting connections
  • Equip your team to understand donor motivations and articulate philanthropic stories
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Discover why your donors give—and strengthen their commitment to your mission

Take a journey into the heart of their values through storytelling. Watch the video to see how this method has inspired and transformed others!

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Workshop participants will:

  • Explore the personal values driving their generosity
  • Reflect on core values shaping their giving
  • Share their story in a supportive environment
  • Engage in conversations deepening their commitment to your cause

Join me in uncovering the values that drive generosity

Your Giving Story Guide

April Bell

As a child, I spent my days listening to stories from whichever elder neighbor would have me. More recently, I’ve crafted my story-mining process into book form with My Life in Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories. As my storytelling focus leans toward the spoken word, people daunted by writing love my approach.

I am the founder of Tree of Life Legacies, a storytelling and wisdom-keeping project based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I started working as a personal historian in 2008, and since 2015, I’ve been helping individuals and organizations as a Values-Based Storytelling Guide. I’m also the co-creator of StoryCatcher® for iPhone, a simple and fun tool for creating and sharing video stories.

What’s your story?

Cover of April Bell's book My Life In Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories
Cover image for April Bell's companion Notebook for My Life In Paragraphs
StoryCatcher for iPhone imagery and link to its informational website

“April gives you permission to play with your story in a safe environment. She invites you into an experience that feels like you can take that little bit of risk, without being judged. She has this magical way of prompting that guides you deeper and deeper and deeper into your story until you’re face-to-face with the values you hold most dear. The real gift in her process is you think you’re telling a story, and then suddenly you’re standing on the frontier of your own values set. That’s when you realize, ‘this story matters to me because these things matter to me!’” —Dan Senter, spiritual leader

“I’d spent a number of times trying to [tell my story for] my book trailer and it wasn’t working. Then April showed up. I couldn’t believe how she was able to get everything out of me the way she did. It went from impossible to beautiful! That’s the miracle in the way I see April, she makes you feel good about yourself, like you have something important to say, and you feel like you’re on top of the world. That is truly priceless.” Christina Rasmussen, best selling author of Second Firsts

“​​April holds a strong, safe, empowering container for the hard work of separating storytelling grain from chaff. Her combination of clear, concise, actionable feedback while keeping my feet ever-so-gently to the fire has allowed me to sort and process decades of experience into a coherent narrative. Whenever I get stuck in the story-crafting weeds, April is able to tap into her phenomenal toolbox for just the right implement, from story-wrangling to guiding my structure of an impactful tale.” —Dr. Ann Blake, Environmental Scientist and Changemaker

April Bell

April Bell - Co-Founder of Your Story Unleashed

As a child, I spent my days listening to stories from whichever elder neighbor would have me. More recently, I’ve crafted my story-mining process into book form with My Life in Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories. As my storytelling focus leans toward the spoken word, people daunted by writing love my approach.

I am the founder of Tree of Life Legacies, a storytelling and wisdom-keeping project based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I started working as a personal historian in 2008, and since 2015, I’ve been helping individuals and organizations as a Values-Based Storytelling Guide. I’m also the co-creator of StoryCatcher® for iPhone, a simple and fun tool for creating and sharing video stories.

What’s your story?

Cover of April Bell's book My Life In Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories
Cover image for April Bell's companion Notebook for My Life In Paragraphs
StoryCatcher for iPhone imagery and link to its informational website

“April gives you permission to play with your story in a safe environment. She invites you into an experience that feels like you can take that little bit of risk, without being judged. She has this magical way of prompting that guides you deeper and deeper and deeper into your story until you’re face-to-face with the values you hold most dear. The real gift in her process is you think you’re telling a story, and then suddenly you’re standing on the frontier of your own values set. That’s when you realize, ‘this story matters to me because these things matter to me!’” —Dan Senter, spiritual leader

“I’d spent a number of times trying to [tell my story for] my book trailer and it wasn’t working. Then April showed up. I couldn’t believe how she was able to get everything out of me the way she did. It went from impossible to beautiful! That’s the miracle in the way I see April, she makes you feel good about yourself, like you have something important to say, and you feel like you’re on top of the world. That is truly priceless.” Christina Rasmussen, best selling author of Second Firsts

“​​April holds a strong, safe, empowering container for the hard work of separating storytelling grain from chaff. Her combination of clear, concise, actionable feedback while keeping my feet ever-so-gently to the fire has allowed me to sort and process decades of experience into a coherent narrative. Whenever I get stuck in the story-crafting weeds, April is able to tap into her phenomenal toolbox for just the right implement, from story-wrangling to guiding my structure of an impactful tale.” —Dr. Ann Blake, Environmental Scientist and Changemaker

What’s included:

  • A gentle process to help donors discover the stories behind their giving
  • Thoughtful guidance to uncover the values that drive their generosity
  • A supportive environment where growth and transformation happen naturally
  • Personal feedback to help each participant’s story shine
  • A clearer picture of what inspires your supporters to give
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Behind Every Gift Is a Story Worth Telling

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Watch the video to learn more about the workshop’s process and impact.

Discover What Drives Your Donors’ Generosity

Every donor has a unique story waiting to be told, and The Giving Story Workshop helps you uncover these meaningful tales.

Imagine your supporters connecting their personal experiences to their passion for your cause. Picture new donors finding their voice to articulate why your mission resonates so deeply with them.

Create a journey of discovery:

  • For seasoned donors, it rekindles passion and reveals new depths to their commitment
  • For new supporters, it builds a strong foundation for meaningful philanthropy
  • For everyone, it connects personal values with your organization’s impact

By encouraging donors to explore the roots of their giving, you’re not just gathering stories—you’re strengthening bonds and building a community of supporters who see their personal legacy as part of your mission.

This workshop is more than just an event—it’s an investment in the core of your donor relationships.

I invite you to take this opportunity to deepen connections, inspire greater generosity, and create a lasting impact through the power of storytelling.

Ready to Strengthen Your Donor Relationships?

Whether you’re working with longtime supporters or welcoming new donors, The Giving Story Workshop helps participants discover the deeper reasons behind their generosity. When donors connect with their personal giving story, they become passionate advocates for your cause. Ready to transform how your supporters connect with your mission? Let’s explore how this workshop can deepen donor commitment and inspire lasting support.

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Testimonials

What participants are saying…

“April’s process gives you permission to play with your story in a safe environment. She has a magical way of prompting that guides you deeper and deeper and deeper into your story until you’re face to face with the values you hold most dear.” —Dan Senter

Steve Alparone

  • ★★★★★

Hearing story examples of what’s been important to other people helped me go further in my own thinking about what I want to tell.”

Dan Senter

  • ★★★★★

The real gift in this process is you think you’re simply telling a story, and then suddenly you’re standing on the frontier of your own values set. That’s when you realize, “This story matters to me because these things matter to me!”

Carolyn Goto

  • ★★★★★

The questions prompted me to see what I learned, what my values were and how I grew.