HELPING WOMEN HEAL FROM THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARM
How a startup nonprofit
exceeded its seed fundraising goals.
Client
Reclamation Ministry
Year
August 2023 through Present
Role(s)
Brand strategy
Brand narrative
Creative direction
Brochure design
Interview coordinator
Fundraising presentation and integrated storytelling
Business consulting
The Plot
Reclamation Ministry was officially launched as a startup nonprofit in August 2023 to help women claim an identity beyond sexual harm “survivor”.
Founder Emily Nickel, whose powerful story of healing prompted her to start the ministry, had been running the program successfully at a local church.
However, her vision was bigger than what a part-time volunteer role would allow. Emily left her full-time teaching job to start Reclamation Ministry and the clock was ticking for this mom and entrepreneur to generate income.
We hosted a fundraising dinner and developed a messaging strategy and framework for the brand itself, for the presentation, and for a marketing brochure to share more the startup nonprofit.
In addition to Emily’s story, the presentation included a survivor story from one of Reclamation Ministry’s student-turned-leaders.
The Results
HOW THE STORY UNFOLDED
With only 70 attendees, Reclamation Ministry not only met but exceeded its fundraising goal, securing nearly $20,000 in seed capital to grow its mission and develop its soon-to-launch website.
OTHER BENEFITS:
Reclamation Ministry has a consistent messaging framework that can be easily repurposed into a website, brochure, presentation materials, and fundraising event campaigns
A powerful founder’s story and an end-user story that have the right mix of vulnerability and strategic marketing alignment.
A clear message that helps donors share Reclamation Ministry’s mission to their network
Brand message consistency to create a powerful “why” and attract donors, women who desire healing, and set the foundation for a national expansion.
MARKETING COMMUNICATION
EXAMPLES
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
Emily Nickel, Founder and Executive Director, Reclamation Ministry
I worked with Michelle because I desperately needed a more cohesive narrative for my nonprofit's story. I really didn't know where to begin! I knew the work my ministry was doing was important, but I struggled putting into words what our "why" and "how" were.
Stuck is definitely an appropriate word for my challenges. I felt very much like my ministry needed to move forward, but I was painfully aware that movement forward needed a clearer and more compelling story to invite more people into partnering with me in the work as well as participating in the ministry of Reclamation.
I now have a far more polished representation of who we are and what we do and most importantly why we do what we do. Additionally, it has empowered me to have far more continuity with how I present the nonprofit ministry.
As far as donations as well as "brand" awareness, we are already seeing wonderful growth! We had our first-ever fundraising dinner, and the brochure Michelle put together that pulled from our collaborative brand story work beautifully and cohesively invited others into believing in the work we are doing and supporting us through monetarily. Additionally, the awareness of the ministry is continuing to grow. I know this is thanks to the incredible work Michelle did for us.
I would recommend everyone I know and love to work with Michelle. Michelle is a storyteller herself, and her discerning eye is able to powerfully take raw material and fashion it into something truly compelling and beautiful.
Yes. I can't fathom a world in which someone would regret having Michelle invite them to take inventory of who they are and why they do what they do. They will be better for it—and their organization or business will CERTAINLY be better for it.
