Boards Don’t Fund Spreadsheets. They Fund Stories.

Last week, I had the honor of speaking at the WellTold Conference in Fargo — and wow… what a room!

There’s something powerful about being surrounded by nonprofit professionals who care deeply not only about people, but purpose, and impact. The energy was thoughtful, curious, honest, and hopeful all at once. The kind of room where people nod because they’ve lived it. The kind of room where you can tell the conversations are going to continue long after the session ends... and they did.

I spoke about something I believe with my whole heart:

Story is not extra in governance. It’s essential.

My session, Narratives That Move Boards: How Story-Driven Governance Educates, Empowers, & Inspires Action, explored how stories help boards move beyond surface-level conversations and into deeper, more human-centered leadership.

One of the things I shared during the session is that boards often rely heavily on reports, dashboards, and metrics. Those things matter. Absolutely.

But data alone rarely changes hearts.

Stories do.

A spreadsheet may tell a board that attendance dropped by 20 percent. A story explains that a student was missing school because there wasn’t enough food at home and no adult available to get them there safely.

That changes the conversation.

That changes decision-making.

That changes urgency.

One of the most meaningful moments from the presentation was sharing the story of a board member who mentored a young girl labeled “truant” by the system. On paper, she was simply a number tied to absenteeism. But once someone took the time to understand her reality, everything shifted. He connected her family to support, stayed involved in her life, and years later, she graduated and built a thriving life of her own.

That’s not just governance.

That’s leadership with humanity.

And honestly, that’s the kind of board culture many organizations are hungry for right now.

During the session, we talked about the different roles boards can play beyond simply approving budgets and voting on motions. Boards can serve as:

• Educators who learn from lived experience

• Advocates who carry the organization’s story outward

• Story curators who ask whose voices are missing and whether stories are being shared with dignity

That last one stayed with people.

Because storytelling in nonprofits should never become exploitation. Good storytelling honors people. It protects dignity. It builds understanding instead of pity.

We also explored practical ways organizations can bring story into the boardroom without making meetings longer or performative. Things like:

• Community spotlight briefs in board packets

• Short impact vignettes tied to agenda decisions

• Lived experience panels

• Pairing stories alongside dashboards and metrics

Simple shifts. Big difference.

We also talked about how storytelling can strengthen fundraising.

Many board members struggle with fundraising not because they are apathetic, but because they don’t feel confident talking about the mission in a personal and meaningful way. Story helps bridge that gap.

When board members can clearly articulate why the work matters, who is being impacted, and how lives are being changed, fundraising conversations become less transactional and more relational.

People don’t just give to organizations. They give to stories, outcomes, hope, and human connection.

That’s why boards need more than fundraising scripts and talking points. They need proximity to the mission. They need stories they can carry with authenticity and confidence.

A connected board is often a more engaged fundraising board.

One thing I appreciated about the WellTold audience is that they didn’t just want inspiration. They wanted application. They asked smart questions about fundraising, board engagement, and how to help board members connect more authentically to mission and community.

Because here’s the truth:

Boards fund stories they understand.

Board members advocate for missions they feel connected to.

And engaged boards are rarely built through information alone. They’re built through connection.

I left Fargo feeling grateful. Grateful for the invitation. Grateful for the conversations. Grateful for every nonprofit leader still doing hard, meaningful work in a complicated world.

And yes… grateful that folks in Fargo showed me a whole lot of kindness, laughter, and hospitality while I was there.

As I said at the close of the session:

Boards work best when people and purpose lead.

If your board is struggling with engagement, fundraising confidence, communication, or connection to mission, the answer may not be another committee.

It may be a better story.

Learn more about my board trainings, retreats, and governance consulting through The Board Pro