Community Story Partnership
Investment may take many forms, but providing development support for a story-based film asset offers recurring returns…
…for the not-for-profit partner and for Alterna Savings.
The Three Oaks Story, released earlier this month, serves as a sample for the Community Story Partnership described below.
Their story would have been told much sooner if a community story partnership partner had been there to assist.
Exploring a model outcome:
Three Oaks Foundation
Three Oaks Foundation changes lives. It exists within our community to provide emergency shelter and critical services to women and children in circumstances that are almost too horrific to imagine.
Three Oaks now has a key storytelling asset. The micro documentary, shown above, was created with a storytelling plan that combined the voices of women supported as well as the voices of leadership at Three Oaks. And it would have been produced much sooner if a community story partnership partner had been there to assist.
Within 24 hours of the film’s debut at the organization’s AGM, the reception was clear:
The video is absolutely perfect!
We’re all so touched by the time and care you put into this project.
It means a lot to have people like you helping to share what we do and why it matters.
- Natalie O’Toole,
Community Relations Manager, Three Oaks Foundation
Last night at the Three Oaks AGM, I got to see the video you produced for us.
It is absolutely amazing and tells our story so well. This will be highly effective for us in spreading the word about IPV and our services.
- Bruce May,
Board Member, Three Oaks Foundation
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Why is the Community Story Partnership needed?
Many of the organizations doing the most important work in our communities are also among the least equipped to tell their stories. This fact was made clear by Leah Morgan and Natalie O’Toole, the inspired leaders of Three Oaks Foundation.
Their resources are rightly directed toward programs, people and service delivery. Professional storytelling can therefore feel like a luxury—even though the ability to demonstrate impact has become essential to attracting donors, grants, government funding, volunteers and community support.
The Community Story Partnership would close that gap.
Having seen the model, here’s the vision for the Alterna Savings Community Story Partnership vision:
Through a recurring partnership with Alterna Savings, selected not-for-profit organizations would receive professionally produced short films documenting the difference they are making. Then they share this asset to attract attention and support.
Alterna Savings can change lives with one story film every month.
Lavender Story Studio would work closely with each organization to uncover its strongest stories and create a thoughtful, compelling film that is, most importantly, a practical development asset.
A relatively modest investment can therefore have a multiplier effect: one funded film may help an organization secure grants, attract donors, strengthen partnerships, recruit volunteers and build community understanding for years afterward.
Beyond becoming a sponsor, Alterna Savings becomes an enabler of community impact.
Community Story Partnership parameters include:
➡ production and release of one impactful film per month
➡ tasteful brand placement at the start and end of each video asset
➡ shared ownership of each video asset
➡ the selection of recipients from a prepared list drawn from communities across the Alterna Savings service area
➡ an opportunity to solicit story suggestions from Alterna Savings team members in each branch
What are the outcomes for Alterna Savings?
Aligned with Alterna Savings’ community vision (www.alterna.ca/en/about-us), the Community Story Partnership “actively support(s) the communities we serve through partnerships, investments, and volunteer efforts.”
Community impact: Alterna Savings funding strengthens organizations beyond cash contributions.
Brand alignment: This initiative is both a partnership and an investment, enabling worthy community organizations to multiply the value of the support.
Storytelling: Alterna receives authentic community stories they can legitimately celebrate through their own channels, subject of course to appropriate agreements and sensitivity around beneficiaries.
Employee engagement: Employees could potentially nominate organizations, participate in a selection committee or attend an annual film showcase signature event.
Optional Signature Event: If established, an Annual Celebration Event event has the potential to unite Alterna Savings team members with non-profit sector leaders and changemakers. It puts the year’s story partners on the big screen to celebrate and amplify the best work that happens in our communities.
What does an investment by Alterna Savings do?
The Investment / The Multiplier
12 professionally produced community impact films annually
Approximate commercial production value at Ontario agency rates: $120,000–$180,000
Potential income generated for agencies: $1m to $10, depending on agency selection
A one-year pilot partnership
Alterna Savings funds the production of 12 Community Story films—one per month—for selected not-for-profit organizations across its service area. Lavender Story Studio manages story development, production and delivery in partnership with each recipient organization.
Lavender Story Studio Community Partner pricing for Alterna Savings: $52,800
The financial component of this initiative is determined by sustainability and not profitability.
Inherent efficiencies that dramatically reduce this cost include:
* Combined roles within Lavender Story Studio - Planning & filmmaking specialists are one in the same
* Smaller on-site team promotes more local vibe and sincere storytelling. And cost efficiencies.
* Combined roles within Lavender Story Studio - Planning & filmmaking specialists are one in the same
Project parameters:
1.5 days of filming, including interviews of 2 to 4 people + b-roll + legacy media management
* for stories beyond 1.5 hours travel time from Quinte region, Lavender Story Studio would request a $300 supplement to assist with overnight costs.
