Behind Storyraise: Interview with CMO Jeff Rum

By Ori Amiel

A leading digital marketer, Jeff Rum has spent the bulk of his 20-year career working with big-name brands and nonprofits. After recognizing a void in the marketing space, he co-founded Storyraise, where he serves as chief marketing officer.

Right now, Jeff is helping to develop and position Storyraise as a creative tech solution for nonprofits of all sizes. With an emphasis on storytelling, he and his team are giving nonprofits the tech tools needed to convey their messages in the most effective way possible, something each nonprofit must do well in order to fundraise.

I sat down with Jeff to chat about his motivations for starting the company and his big-picture goals. Our conversation gave me a window into some of the ways Storyraise is helping nonprofits address challenges and find time-saving solutions, all for the sake of making the world a bit better. Below are highlights from our chat.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What is the story behind Storyraise? Why create this company?

I’ve been running my own creative agency since 2005, and having worked with nonprofit organizations, I saw the amount of effort that went into putting together annual reports. It could be, and often was, a hassle. As technology and demands for digitization ballooned, we realized there was a need for support in ideating and creating reports for nonprofits, specifically in a digital format.

We initiated this idea by creating microsites, which acted as annual reports for our nonprofit clients. We then realized there had to be a better, more streamlined way for our clients to develop their reports with full customization. After conceptualizing and developing this idea, we created our current service, which provides nonprofits with a way to easily create and customize reports without the typical hassles.

While initially only geared towards nonprofit reports, our service also gives clients the ability to easily create customized and optimized content pieces, like online magazines, board reports, and periodical impact reports, among others. Through it all, we’ve also kept the human aspect of our service, as we support clients in developing stories and compelling content to provide their supporters with engaging and rewarding material. Now we have the premier storytelling platform for nonprofits as well as our creative services. It’s the best of both worlds, coming together to help nonprofits thrive.

How does Storyraise help nonprofits connect with those reading their reports, namely donors? 

At the heart of our goal is a focus on the end users: the donors. It’s crucial for donors to see the tangible impact of their contributions, and storytelling is the most powerful way to convey this. By leveraging our platform’s use of technology, in addition to our team, Storyraise enables organizations to create compelling impact reports more efficiently and with the help of both technology and human interaction. Although technology doesn’t replace the human touch, it provides a significant head start, allowing organizations to build meaningful connections with their donors through well-crafted stories.

How are you leveraging AI as a helper tool, not a substitute for brain power, to meet client and customer needs?

Our AI system is set up to meet client and customer needs by asking insightful questions and supporting users from the outset. Our system identifies what’s unique and impactful about each nonprofit. By analyzing data from hundreds of thousands of donors, creating personalized reports tailored to each individual. This approach streamlines the process of stewarding donors and building meaningful relationships, ensuring that donors feel appreciated and valued while also conserving valuable resources.

Storyraise is a creative technology company that operates with a human-first approach. Tell me more about the role of real people in creating these digital experiences. 

Despite our tech-driven approach, we place great emphasis on the value of human relationships and interactions in supporting clients to build the best possible service for nonprofits. Our customer success practices are done exclusively by humans, ensuring frequent accessibility and valuing personal connections. While AI excels in many areas and can augment tasks like storytelling and customer support, it can’t replace the human interaction that is essential for customer success. Automation risks creating monotony in the industry, but by relying on human experience, we can prevent this and maintain a dynamic, engaging and effective support system for our clients.

What are your ambitions for Storyraise right now? In the future?

Now, and in the future, we want to utilize what has proven to be effective and build upon it. The storytelling aspect of our service is crucial for driving change within nonprofits, and our platform is already making a significant impact. Additionally, we see our role as a small but vital part in making the world a better place, by helping organizations tell their stories.. By continuously improving and iterating our products and services, we aim to maximize our impact on both clients and end users. The sky is truly the limit, and we aspire to be a trusted partner for many great causes, supporting them in achieving their missions.

Ori Amiel is a technology and information design student at University of Maryland.