How can fundraisers communicate environmental issues with honesty, clarity and hope?
In episode one, we focus on how we move beyond fear-based or overly simplified messaging towards storytelling that is values-led, authentic and grounded in purpose. Guests bring perspectives on what stories inspire action, what stories funders’ respond to and what a “good” environmental story can be.
Our speakers and key messages
- Rachel Orr, CEO, Climate Outreach. With decades of experience working in communications and PR, Rachel is an expert in storytelling and building narratives for change. She shares what good environmental storytelling looks like based on her experience and Climate Outreach’s popular research.
- Louise Krzan, Head of Philanthropy, Zoological Society of London. Louise has an incredible range of experiences as a fundraiser and a huge amount of complex storytelling successes under her belt. She explores the practical, everyday work of translating complicated environmental work into engaging stories for funders.
- Raysa França, Senior Philanthropy Advisory Manager, Impatience Earth. Raysa has been a fundraiser and is now working closely with environmental funders, advising them around their climate funding strategies. She shares how she infuses her storytelling work with a sense of joy, playfulness, and infectious energy, helping to shift from fear-based to authentic and values-led storytelling.
- Andy Raingold & Chloe Revill, Co-Founders & Directors, Change in Nature. Andy and Chloe work with people and groups to help them bring nature into their everyday work. Their short nature connection exercise aims to ground us in today’s theme of understanding the bigger picture and how you might want to integrate some of the learnings into our work.
- Your host is Natasha Ratter, Environmental Groups Lead at EFN. Natasha co-ordinates EFN’s work to strengthen the effectiveness of the environmental charity sector and facilitates the Green Fundraiser’s Forum and worked extensively as a fundraiser prior to joining EFN.
Our speakers and key messages
Below we are a list of resources mentioned in this episode that can help you in understanding the bigger picture:
- Britain Talks Climate & Nature 2025 by Climate Outreach – an in-depth analysis on how Brits think and feel about climate and nature and the strategic implications for policy and communication.
- Climate Visuals – The world’s only evidence-based and impact focused climate photography resource. It includes thousands of free, creative-commons licensed and public photographs.
- Looking for ideas on how to structure your stories or try something new? TED includes multiple talk playlists on storytelling techniques: Best Talks on presentation skills and TED Talks on creativity and storytelling.
- Louise Krzan recommends a public speaking course and service called Gravitas – discover more here.