People with lived experience are more than content to be adapted to suit fundraising formats. Across the sector, traditional storytelling practices are increasingly being questioned for presenting incomplete narratives or exploiting the people and communities they seek to represent.

This session explores the shift towards ethical, human-centred storytelling, including the influence of decolonised fundraising practices. Attendees will learn how to develop responsible policies, establish robust permission processes based on highly informed consent, and approach interviews and filming with transparency and trust.

Drawing on international and Australian examples, the session will demonstrate how organisations are placing real voices at the centre of their communications. It will also examine how ethical storytelling affects fundraising performance across channels, from mass supporter acquisition to major donor engagement.