How to Share Nonprofit Stories With Respect and Consent
Nov 08, 2026How to Share Nonprofit Stories With Respect and Consent
Stories can help people understand a nonprofit’s work, but the people in those stories deserve choice, privacy, and respect. A thoughtful process protects both the person and the organization.
Ask before collecting or sharing
Explain what you want to share, where it may appear, and who may see it. Make clear that participation is voluntary and does not affect access to services. Get permission in a form your organization can document, and provide a way to ask questions or withdraw permission where feasible.
Share only what is needed
Avoid details that could identify someone unnecessarily. Do not publish sensitive personal information, images, or a person’s story without appropriate permission. For children or people who need a representative to consent, follow applicable requirements and your organization’s policies.
Keep the story accurate
Let the person review quotations or identifying details when appropriate. Do not edit a story to imply outcomes that did not happen or present one person as representative of an entire community. Explain the organization’s role honestly.
Create a consistent review step
Before publication, confirm permission, check names and facts, and ask whether the person’s dignity and safety are protected. Keep records of consent securely and limit access.
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