Case Study: The Six-Word Story

There are times when it is more than just the numbers. Numbers represent stories of lives changed. Afterschool grant dollars can really mean that a set of at-risk twins are not getting pulled an hour early from their academic day so their mom can get to work. Matching aquatics grants don’t tell all on the surface. The writer must dig deeper to learn of the senior adult/beginning swimmer who completes their first lap successfully, loud cheers coming from all in the pool area.

Y-USA recently introduced an effective tool for reaping success stories. Life change is relayed in six words or less and is used as a story prompt. The prompt typically leads to more words, supportive qualitative data. Never underestimate the power of stories. They connect the funder to lives changed as a direct result of the funding.