Story Engine

Guides for collecting and sharing stories.

How to Collect Impact Stories for Your NonprofitA step-by-step guide to collecting impact stories: who to ask, how to ask, consent, and what to do with stories once you have them.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026

Featured guides

What to Include in a Storyteller Consent FormCory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026How to Use an AI Interviewer for Impact StoriesCory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026How to Turn One Interview Into a Newsletter, Email, and ReportCory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026Ethical Storytelling Guidelines for NonprofitsCory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026How to Get People to Respond to Story RequestsCory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026
How to Interview Someone About a Hard ExperienceA practical guide for nonprofit staff on preparing for, conducting, and closing a sensitive interview with care, consent, and trauma-aware questions.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026 How to Handle Consent Withdrawal After PublishingWhat nonprofits must do when a storyteller withdraws consent after their story is published, and how to set expectations from the start.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026 How to Show Impact Without Photos of PeopleA practical guide for nonprofits: anonymized quotes, volunteer stories, composite stories, data visuals, participant art, audio, and third-party validation, all without identifiable photos.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026 Interview Questions for Nonprofit Client StoriesA core question set that follows a before, turning point, and after arc, with trauma-informed guidance on consent, skipping questions, and recording.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026

Nonprofit

See all nonprofit guides
What to Include in a Storyteller Consent FormA practical guide to what every nonprofit storyteller consent form must cover: project details, recording, usage, editing rights, and how to withdraw.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026 How to Build a Storytelling Process That LastsA practical guide to building a nonprofit storytelling process that survives staff and volunteer turnover, with documentation, shared accounts, and repeatable workflows.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026 Ethical Storytelling Guidelines for NonprofitsA careful guide to ethical storytelling for nonprofits: informed consent, dignity, trauma-informed practice, safety, privacy, and when to involve professionals.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026 How to Get People to Respond to Story RequestsPractical tactics for nonprofits to get more responses when asking clients, donors, or volunteers to share their story.Cory Shoemaker and Yoonji JungNov 2026

Your first story, with signed consent, this week

Invite someone by video, phone or text. Ellie interviews them and turns it into content.

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Explore topics

Every guide sits in one of three topics.

Collect stories →6 guides Consent and care →4 guides Turn stories into content →2 guides

Business

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Guides for businesses are being written now: customer stories, case studies, and consent for clients and staff. Until then, the consent form and one-interview guides work for any team.

Start collecting your stories

Story Engine interviews the people closest to your work, collects their consent, and turns what they say into content.

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