Why a NICU Mom Can't Give to NICU Charities with Maria Bryan

Maria Bryan is the Partnership Marketing Manager at DonorBox, where she runs the ambassador program after spending two years as a DonorBox ambassador herself, and the founder of When Bearing Witness, a trauma-informed storytelling training program and podcast for nonprofit storytellers and fundraisers. She facilitates the When Bearing Witness Trauma-Informed Storytelling Certification Program, which trains storytellers to gather and tell painful stories in ways that promote safety and wellness while resisting harm. She holds a Master's in Public Administration and a Bachelor's in Journalism, and is certified in Trauma and Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment and Regulation. In this episode, Maria explains the difference between being trauma-informed and trauma-responsive, walks through the full story journey from consent to publication, and shares why her own week in the NICU with her newborn daughter changed how she reads fundraising appeals. **Timestamps:** \[00:48] What are DonorBox and When Bearing Witness? \[03:12] What is trauma? \[04:53] What does trauma-informed mean? \[05:56] Trauma-informed vs. trauma-responsive? \[06:35] Is trauma more common in nonprofits? \[07:54] Why aren't fundraisers trained on trauma? \[09:36] Are good intentions enough? \[10:27] What did Comic Relief change? \[12:46] Why copy 20-year-old campaigns? \[13:07] How did the NICU change Maria's view? \[15:30] What should you ask before telling a story? \[16:11] Who does every story affect? \[17:19] Is the story owner ready? \[17:44] Does your ask use guilt or shame? \[18:31] What is asset framing? \[19:28] Why let story owners review first? \[20:46] When should a story stay anonymous? \[21:27] What if they want it taken down? \[22:09] How do you ask without false urgency? \[23:14] What is a "go-away gift"? \[24:54] Can storytelling be too safe? \[26:34] Who draws the line on painful stories? \[28:23] What will donors stop responding to? \[29:32] How can tools protect donors? \[31:23] What should every storyteller hear? **Guest Links:** - Website: https://www.mariabryan.com - DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabryancrtv/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donorbox - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donorbox - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@donorbox **GTZP Links:** - Website: http://www.gtzp.org - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greaterthanzeropercent/ - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-cause/id1528910691 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZeAnlQ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gtzp