Rustic Roots

Rustic Roots Your nonprofit has a story to tell. Let us bring it to life. https://instagram.com/rusticrootscreative/

If you've ever wondered where to start with telling strong, impactful stories as a nonprofit, this is for you.We put tog...
04/24/2026

If you've ever wondered where to start with telling strong, impactful stories as a nonprofit, this is for you.

We put together a free guide that walks through everything from identifying the right stories to tell, to how to approach sensitive subjects with care, to what to do with your video after the campaign ends.

We've worked with over 100 nonprofits across the country, and this guide pulls from what we've learned along the way.

It's practical, it's free, and it's built specifically for nonprofits.

Grab it at the link below.
https://rusticroots.co/nonprofit-video-storytelling-guide

We'll be at AFP ICON in San Diego April 26-28!Come find us at Booth 431. We'd love to connect, whether it's about a gala...
04/20/2026

We'll be at AFP ICON in San Diego April 26-28!

Come find us at Booth 431. We'd love to connect, whether it's about a gala video, a donor stewardship piece, or just a conversation about what story you're trying to tell. This is one of the highlights of our year.

See you in San Diego!

We're excited to welcome Indira Salaverri to the Rustic Roots team as our Nonprofit Engagement Manager.Indira joins Sam ...
04/08/2026

We're excited to welcome Indira Salaverri to the Rustic Roots team as our Nonprofit Engagement Manager.

Indira joins Sam Comer in our Knoxville office. She comes from a background in nonprofit marketing and storytelling, and she just gets it. She understands what organizations are working toward, what funders are looking for, and what it takes to tell a story that actually moves people.

We're really glad she's here. Knoxville nonprofits, we hope you'll get to know her.

One thing we see consistently:Nonprofits that use video regularly don’t just raise awareness. They build familiarity and...
02/16/2026

One thing we see consistently:

Nonprofits that use video regularly don’t just raise awareness. They build familiarity and trust over time.

A short interview clip. A quick thank-you. A simple impact update. It doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.

If video is on your radar this year, comment or message us. We’re happy to help you think through a smart place to start.

Knoxville Nonprofit After Hours is one week away!We’re looking forward to gathering at Schulz Bräu on February 19. It’s ...
02/12/2026

Knoxville Nonprofit After Hours is one week away!

We’re looking forward to gathering at Schulz Bräu on February 19. It’s shaping up to be a nice mix of folks from across the nonprofit community, and we’d love to see you if you’re around.

📍 Schulz Bräu Brewing Company
⏰ Starting at 5:00pm

Details and RSVP here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980491831381

A quick reminder we often share with nonprofits:Video doesn’t have to be big or expensive to be effective.Some of the mo...
02/10/2026

A quick reminder we often share with nonprofits:

Video doesn’t have to be big or expensive to be effective.

Some of the most impactful videos we see are simple and focused. Real people. Clear messages. A consistent presence over time.

Waiting for the “perfect” moment usually slows things down. Starting small and staying consistent is what actually builds momentum.

If you’re thinking about video this year and aren’t sure where to start, comment or message us. We’re always happy to talk it through.

Knoxville Nonprofit After Hours is back.A casual, drop-in happy hour for nonprofit staff, leaders, and anyone working in...
01/14/2026

Knoxville Nonprofit After Hours is back.

A casual, drop-in happy hour for nonprofit staff, leaders, and anyone working in or alongside the social impact space.

📍 Schulz Bräu Brewing Company
📅 Thursday, February 19
⏰ Starting at 5:00pm. Drop in anytime.

First drink is on us.

Details and RSVP:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980491831381

January feels a bit like the morning of the year.There’s a brief pause after year-end where things haven’t fully picked ...
01/08/2026

January feels a bit like the morning of the year.

There’s a brief pause after year-end where things haven’t fully picked up yet. Enough space to take stock before the day really gets moving.

We often find this is a helpful moment to notice which stories actually stayed with people last year. Not the biggest campaign or the most urgent message, but the moments people referenced later, shared on their own, or kept coming back to.

Those moments tend to offer good clues about what’s worth building on as the year unfolds.

To every nonprofit getting ready for Giving Tuesday:You’re doing remarkable work under a lot of pressure.Your impact mat...
12/01/2025

To every nonprofit getting ready for Giving Tuesday:

You’re doing remarkable work under a lot of pressure.
Your impact matters more than you know.

We hope tomorrow brings generosity, momentum, and a moment to feel proud!

Thanksgiving is a natural moment for nonprofits to pause and reflect on the people who make their missions possible. As ...
11/26/2025

Thanksgiving is a natural moment for nonprofits to pause and reflect on the people who make their missions possible. As organizations get ready to follow up after Giving Tuesday, this week is a great reminder that gratitude is one of the most powerful tools we have for strengthening donor relationships.

A short thank you video can make that appreciation feel personal. Even a simple recording from a team member or beneficiary can help donors feel seen and connected to the impact of their gift. These quick touchpoints go a long way toward building trust and sustaining long term support.

Why thank you videos work so well this time of year:
• They help donors feel valued and appreciated
• They show the early impact of their generosity
• They create a meaningful touchpoint before the next campaign

To make it easier, we put together a simple one page guide with quick tips your team can use to create thank you videos that feel genuine and donor centered.

We’ve added the guide in the comments.

If your organization wants support creating thank you videos for your donors after Giving Tuesday, our team is always here to help.

Grant funding feels more competitive than ever. So many strong organizations. So many grant applications that start to s...
11/20/2025

Grant funding feels more competitive than ever. So many strong organizations. So many grant applications that start to sound the same.

One simple way to help your application stand out is to give reviewers something they can see and feel, not just read. A short video alongside your grant application can help funders:

• Meet the people you serve
• Hear directly from staff or participants
• See your impact in action, not just in bullet points

This does not have to be a big production. A simple phone video works if you:

• Film in good light in a quiet spot
• Keep it to 60–90 seconds
• Focus on one clear story
• Add captions so it is accessible to everyone

You can even personalize it to the funder by mentioning them by name and tying your story to the priorities in their guidelines.

If you are working on grant applications and want help thinking through what a simple, authentic video could look like for your organization, we're always happy to brainstorm a few ideas. Just send us a message.

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