The Spirituality of Philanthropy

held in-person or live-virtual

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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Uncover the powerful origins of your donors’ generosity, deepening their connection to your cause and inspiring continued, meaningful support

Take a journey into the heart of your values through storytelling. Watch the video to see how it 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 guide

April Bell

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

I am the founder at Tree of Life Legacies, a storytelling and wisdom-keeping project based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008 I’ve been helping people find and tell the origin stories behind their values, often on video. I am co-creator of StoryCatcher® for iPhone.

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

I am the founder at Tree of Life Legacies, a storytelling and wisdom-keeping project based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008 I’ve been helping people find and tell the origin stories behind their values, often on video.

As a child, I spent my days listening to stories from which ever 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 lends toward the spoken word, people daunted by writing love my approach. I am co-creator of StoryCatcher® for iPhone.

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:

  • Step-by-step process to uncover donor giving origins
  • Expert guidance on tapping into giving stories and personal legacy
  • Supportive environment encouraging growth and transformation
  • Tailored feedback for confident story sharing
  • Deeper understanding of giving’s importance to your organization
  • Copy of My Life in Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories with notebook
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For Reluctant Storytellers and Seasoned Wisdom-Keepers

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

Create Lasting Impact Through Storytelling

Every donor has a unique story waiting to be told. This workshop is your key to unlocking those powerful narratives.

Imagine your supporters, eyes bright with realization, as they uncover the deep-rooted values driving their generosity. Picture the moment when a long-time donor suddenly connects their childhood experiences to their passion for your cause. Envision new supporters finding their voice, articulating for the first time why your mission resonates so deeply with them.

This isn’t just a workshop—it’s a journey of discovery:

  • For seasoned philanthropists, it’s a chance to rekindle their passion and find new depths to their commitment
  • For those new to giving, it’s an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for a lifetime of meaningful philanthropy
  • For everyone, it’s a powerful way to connect their personal values with your organization’s impact

By guiding donors to explore the origins of their giving, you’re not just collecting stories—you’re strengthening bonds. You’re creating advocates who can articulate, with genuine emotion, why your cause matters. You’re building a community of supporters who see their personal legacy intertwined with your mission.

This workshop is more than an event—it’s an investment in the heart of your donor relationships. It’s a chance to transform supporters into passionate storytellers for your cause.

Are you ready to unlock the power of your donors’ stories? To create a ripple effect of inspiration that will fuel your mission for years to come?

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen connections, inspire greater generosity, and create a lasting impact through the art of storytelling.

Book your workshop today and watch as your donors’ stories become the catalyst for transformative change.

Discover Your Storytelling Potential

Whether for nonprofit teams, donor groups, or community leaders, this workshop empowers participants to unlock the transformative power of personal storytelling. Ready to inspire, connect, and create meaningful impact? Let’s explore how this experience can elevate your mission.

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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.

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