.svg)
Harnessing the power of narrative to elevate your brand.
Discover how to craft and communicate compelling stories that move people to action. In this session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of narrative design, explore the psychology behind why stories resonate, and practice applying storytelling techniques to your organization’s brand, campaigns, and communications. From shaping your brand’s origin story to building emotional connections with your audience, this program will help you use storytelling as a strategic tool for influence, engagement, and growth.
Designed for Impact
Practical tools, custom content, and curated resources tailored to your mission.
Community Powered
Connect in the LUNA Town Square™, our virtual hub for live sessions, peer interactions, and expert-led discussions.
Guided Growth
Our online and hybrid courses, including the flagship Level-Up Nonprofit Accelerator, will supercharge your organization.
"I have learned so, so much! It has been a game changer for us. I’ve met other, wonderful nonprofits that I am learning from. It’s the best investment you can make in yourself as a leader."
Hands-on learning and personalized support every step of the way
Storytelling Fundamentals
Course Material
Kevin Kelsick and Mauricio Giammattei lead our storytelling and branding courses. For them, storytelling isn’t about spinning tales—it’s about revealing the deeper truth of a brand. They specialize in translating raw vision, values, and ambition into narratives that move people, not just inform them. Their approach goes beyond marketing copy; it weaves strategy with imagination, and data with humanity, ensuring every story resonates with clarity and emotional impact. Whether shaping an origin story, designing a campaign narrative, or reframing how an audience sees possibility, they craft stories that don’t just get heard—they get remembered.
We begin by exploring the science and psychology of storytelling—why stories move people in ways that data alone cannot. Participants will see how organizations and brands use narrative to build trust, inspire action, and create lasting connections.
Every powerful story has certain ingredients: characters, conflict, resolution, and transformation. This session will break down each element, showing participants how to structure stories that feel authentic and memorable while aligning with their mission.
Organizations need more than scattered anecdotes—they need a cohesive narrative. Here, we guide participants in shaping their brand’s origin story, articulating their “why,” and creating a framework that communicates mission, values, and impact consistently.
We move from theory to practice, demonstrating how stories can strengthen campaigns, donor relations, fundraising efforts, and community engagement. Participants will see examples of effective story-driven communications and learn how to adapt them to their own work.
Through guided exercises, participants will create and refine their organization’s “elevator story.” Peer feedback sessions provide space to practice delivery and strengthen confidence in telling stories that resonate with different audiences.
Finally, we focus on integration—how to embed storytelling across all communication channels and organizational touchpoints. Participants will leave with practical tools and a storytelling toolkit that ensures consistency, authenticity, and impact in their brand voice.
Frequently Answered Questions
Our accelerators are designed for people new to various aspects of purpose-driven work including fundraising, marketing, and finance/accounting. We have a particular passion for small and mid-size organizations and tailor our courses for that audience. But individuals from larger organizations will certainly benefit from the learning.
We are welcoming organizations that meet the following criteria:
- Your organization is incorporated, has 501(c)3 status or pending (for US organization) or has a fiscal sponsor.
- You have at least three board members who are not related.
- You are raising less than $250,000 (US) from individuals annually.
- You share LUNA's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Unfortunately, we are not accepting applications from political organizations.
Each accelerator is $699. We offer a 10% discount for two or more people from the same organization.
Thanks to the generosity of a wonderful family foundation and from organizations that have gone through the program before, partial scholarships are available to the organizations that meet these criteria:
- Your organization is incorporated, has 501(c)3 status or pending (for US organizations) or has a fiscal sponsor.
- You have at least three board members who are not related.
- You are raising less than $250,000 (US) from individuals annually.
- You share LUNA's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Each organization is entitled to one scholarship.
Change happens in nonprofits when leadership is on board. That's why we strongly recommend that two people from your organization participate, ideally the executive director (if you have one) and a board member.
Once you join LUNA, at least one person per group must prepare for and participate in all the online sessions and live workshops. If you have to miss a live workshop, you will be able to access the recording. You also need to complete the capstone project assignments (see "The Experience" section of this website).
We understand that life happens, and you may not be able to complete the program. Talk to us, and we'll be happy to let you re-start in a future cohort. But, if you ghost us at any point or don't complete the program requirements, we will invoice you for the full value of the scholarship.
The learning is done completely online, and on your own time. Materials are available each week, and include videos, downloadable presentation decks, templates, and other curated resources.
Our instructors are available by DM through the LUNA Town Square platform to answer any questions you may have. For more in-depth assistance, we have optional coaching packages available with the instructors of each accelerator so that you may ask questions, workshop ideas, or seek advice.
We have carefully designed lessons and assignments that we know will make the biggest difference for you. What you learn every week will be very actionable. At every step of the way, there will be things you can start to implement right away.
LUNA is a community of continuous learners. Your place in that community doesn’t end when the course is finished.
As a member of the community, you will receive:
- Continued access to the course materials
- Free membership to our LUNA Town Square community and access to our resource libraries, forums, and LUNA Live events
- Discounted rates to other LUNA courses
We have optional coaching packages available with the instructors of each accelerator so that you may ask questions, workshop ideas, or seek advice.
Starting in 2026, we will introduce additional courses that take deeper dives into a variety of topics. You will find announcements of those in the LUNA Town Square platform, our website, and through periodic emails.
We want this to be a great experience, so we are limiting each cohort to no more than 15 organizations with two people from each. This will be an intimate, supportive learning environment for everyone.
Each accelerator is approximately six to eight weeks long. Lessons are dropped weekly.
Your journey begins by clicking the APPLY button in the top right corner of your screen.
Once you have started the course, we do not offer refunds.
