Beyond Words: Celebrating the Power of Nonprofit Storytelling 💛

Our 5th Annual Nonprofit Council Beyond Words Storytelling Competition was a powerful reminder that storytelling is at the heart of nonprofit impact. This year, 17 nonprofit organizations stepped forward to share deeply meaningful stories each told from the perspective of an object within their work. The result was a collection of narratives that were creative emotional and deeply human.

Every submission mattered. Each story revealed how everyday items often overlooked can become symbols of safety healing dignity and hope when placed in the right hands.

Celebrating Our 2025 Storytelling Honorees

🥇 Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County, Inc
The winning story followed a simple pair of pajamas as they moved from a store shelf into the arms of a child entering foster care illustrating how basic necessities can provide comfort and reassurance during moments of fear and transition. READ FULL STORY

🥈 Children’s Bereavement Center
Told through the voice of a Stuffed Heart this story captured how grief support helps children feel seen supported and never alone offering comfort that lasts far beyond childhood. READ FULL STORY

🥈 Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County
Shared from the perspective of a baby blanket this narrative reflected the power of compassionate judgment free care supporting mothers as they heal and welcoming new lives with dignity and hope. READ FULL STORY

The full winning stories can be found in the PDF links above. Below are the other nonprofit participants. Click on an organization’s name to read their story.

With Gratitude to Our Judges

Selecting just three honorees from such a strong group of submissions was no easy task. We are deeply grateful to our judges for their time insight and thoughtful deliberation.

  • Elizabeth Grace Kelley of The Buzz Agency
  • Ann Paton of Ann Paton and Associates
  • Amy Davidson of Davidson Marketing Group
  • Marcie Pachter of Palm Beach State College
  • Shaun Hall of Blue Wave Branding
  • Sergio Piedra of Discover The Palm Beaches

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Community Partners

Our 2500 dollar Grand Prize was made possible through the generous support of Vertical Bridge whose commitment to uplifting nonprofit storytelling helps strengthen our community.

We also extend sincere thanks to our Nonprofit Council sponsors.

Beyond Words Together

The Beyond Words Storytelling Competition is not about choosing winners alone. It is about honoring courage creativity and the quiet moments where impact lives. To every nonprofit who applied thank you for trusting us with your story. Your voices matter and your work continues to change lives every day.

We invite you to read the full stories in the attached PDFs and experience the impact for yourself.