3rd Annual Nonprofit Knowledge Series Workshop Focuses on Stronger Messaging and Storytelling

By Jeff Schwartzenberg on Sep. 29, 2025

On September 26, More than 40 nonprofit and community leaders from 28 local organizations came together at College of the Albemarle's Dare campus in Manteo for the 3rd Annual Nonprofit Knowledge Series Workshop. The free program, called The Nonprofit Messaging Lab, was co-presented by the Outer Banks Community Foundation and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau to support organizations in sharing their stories, motivating donors and building community trust.

Key lessons from the six-hour workshop included:

• Understanding that messages with emotional impact move beyond fact lists and become stories people can connect with.
• Looking more closely at the story beneath an organization's mission — not only what the organization does, but why it matters, what is at stake and how the message can encourage people to respond.
• Identifying tools, trends and tactics that can extend an organization's message, while considering how to communicate with clarity and purpose.

The workshop was led by Kelly Walberg, VP of Marketing and Communications at the Community Foundation in Middle Tennessee.