Consent and care, before, during and after the story.
Ask in a way that protects the people who share. Consent forms, withdrawal, ethical storytelling and ways to show impact without showing faces.
Consent and care
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 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
Consent that comes with every story
Each storyteller signs a consent form before they start, and you keep a copy.