Visual storytelling for NFPs: It’s not just about the event, it’s about what lives on

If you work in the not-for-profit or community sector, you know that an event is never just a one-day thing. The real value comes from what happens after – the connections made, the conversations sparked, and the momentum kept alive.

That’s where visual storytelling comes in.

Recently, I worked with Logan Zero to capture their community forum at the Kingston Butter Factory in real-time, and then refined it into a clear visual story that could be shared again and again.

Why this matters for NFPs

Events are expensive, complex, and full of passion. But all too often the amazing energy and insights get lost once people leave the room. Visual storytelling helps you:

• Keep the conversation going: A big picture visual pulls together key ideas and makes it easy for people to revisit and reflect.

• Boost engagement: People love visuals. They stop scrolling and really absorb what you’re saying.

• Support advocacy: When your story is clear and compelling, it’s easier to rally support and inspire action.

• Create reusable assets: That single visual becomes a powerful tool for reports, presentations, social media or wherever you need to communicate your impact.

My live event visual storytelling toolkit: Table, chair, a powered-up iPad, and a big screen to bring the magic to life as it happens.

How we did it with Logan Zero

I was there all day, live scribing keynotes, panels and workshops as they happened. The goal? Capture the insights, energy and collective experience of the forum in a way that made sense visually and emotionally.

The keynote, Dr Amanda Stafford spoke about the transformative impact of her hospital’s Pathway Program – a bold, practical approach to breaking the cycle of homelessness through healthcare. I captured her message live as she spoke. This snapshot has since been used in follow-up presentations and conversations, helping the story travel further.

The impact

Caitlin Lyons, the event organiser from Logan Zero shared this with me:

“Just wow! We’ve been able to utilise Indi’s incredible work to effectively communicate the impact of our forum. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”

“People keep coming back to these visuals — they’re a key part of keeping the momentum alive after the event.”

The biggest win? Creating a visual story that doesn’t just capture the day, but carries the energy and purpose forward.

If you’re an NFP or community organisation ready to make your next event more than just a day, Let’s chat! I’ll show you how visual storytelling can turn your event’s energy into lasting impact.

✨ Step inside a timelapse visual story from the forum - bridging health and housing

Unlocking Change for "Seen" Documentary

An INDI DUST Case Study

Client: ParentTV (Sam Jockel, CEO & Founder) 

Partners: CS Net (Mandy Doon, Director) 

Project: Visualising the Theory of Change for "Seen", a documentary on Mental Health and Parenting.

The Challenge

ParentTV’s documentary, "Seen", tells the powerful stories of parents who’ve moved from pain and confusion to a path of understanding, healing, and hope. The film highlights the importance of breaking generational trauma and building secure, healthy relationships between parents and their kids.

To maximise the documentary’s impact and generate support, ParentTV needed a visual representation of its Theory of Change – something that would show how curiosity and self-reflection can unlock deep changes in mental health and parenting. The goal was to spark curiosity, inspire hope, and motivate decision-makers, philanthropists, and stakeholders to take action.

“The role of CS Net in our partnership was to bring our experience in measurement and data collection to support Sam in developing a Theory of Change, linking the Seen documentary to measurable outcomes and social impact. This can often feel like an overwhelming and bureaucratic task.” — Mandy Doon, Director, CS Net

The Solution

Indi worked closely with Sam and Mandy to develop the "Unlocking Change" strategic concept – a visual metaphor that uses curiosity as the key to unlocking transformation. This visual story captured how supporting ParentTV’s Seen Documentary could lead to better mental health outcomes for both parents and children.

The four step process to develop an Indi Dust strategic visual.

Indi took a forward-thinking approach, visualising the future of Seen before working backwards to map out measurable outcomes. The visual captured the journey from pain to self-awareness and healing, showing how generational trauma can be broken, leading to stronger family connections.

"Indi’s role was to visualise the future first. Sam and her network had developed a wealth of insights around the Theory of Change, and the key was to capture the long-term mission of Seen in a visual format. This approach allows us to communicate the mission first, and then fill in the links and measures that demonstrate the pathways towards long-term societal impact." — Mandy Doon, Director, CS Net

The result was a visual that delivered a clear and engaging message for presentations, partner meetings, and fundraising efforts. It was designed to spark curiosity, hope, and an understanding of the positive impact ParentTV’s mission could have on families.

"Indi Dust took what felt like a huge, complex story and turned it into one simple, powerful visual. The clarity and emotional impact were spot on. Video updates made the process seamless and collaborative. We’re very pleased with the outcome." — Sam Jockel, CEO & Founder, ParentTV

The Impact

The "Unlocking Change" visual has become a key tool in presentations and discussions with philanthropists and potential partners. It captures the heart of the "Seen" documentary and creates an emotional connection that encourages stakeholders to see the value in supporting ParentTV’s mission to transform mental health and parenting.

"What Indi has created with Sam is a visual method that transforms the way we communicate impact. This approach helps us think and act differently to achieve better outcomes. It’s a powerful tool that has very practical applications in driving change." — Mandy Doon, Director, CS Net

One visual, infinite possibilities: The Theory of Change behind ParentTV’s 

This visual storytelling approach has resonated strongly with decision-makers, helping ParentTV convey its mission with clarity and emotional impact. This sets the stage for continued success in building partnerships and securing funding.

Moving Forward

With the "Unlocking Change" visual, ParentTV is equipped to keep engaging potential supporters, building towards future funding and partnerships. The visual’s ability to evoke curiosity and hope is already driving momentum and paving the way for long-term success.

"We’ve used the visual in a number of meetings, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. It helps us communicate our message clearly, engagingly, and with real impact." — Sam Jockel, CEO & Founder, ParentTV

Curious about how we can unlock change for your project? Drop ✨ Indi Tansey a message, and let’s map it out visually.

(And if you're interested in the documentary, you can watch the Seen Documentary trailer here.)

Family, Strategy, and Wardley Mapping: The Antidote to Procrastination

Ever tried building a Wardley Map? Yeah, me neither – until recently. Thanks to Pete Tansey (agilePete) from Agile CoLab, I dove into the fascinating world of Wardley Mapping for the first time. With Cheryl Tansey 🤘🏼 from Humans at Work leading the way, we ventured into strategic mapping without getting too lost in the weeds.

Now, let’s talk about the highlight of the event—there were not one, not two, but THREE Tanseys involved. My dad, my sister, and I all played a part in this mapping extravaganza. It was a Tansey takeover, and trust me, it was awesome. Who says you can’t mix business with family?

One of the key takeaways from the event was that it can take up to seven years from the moment you hear about Wardley Mapping to actually building your first map. Seven years! If you’ve been putting it off, this is your antidote to procrastination. The beauty of Wardley Maps isn’t about getting them perfect (because none of them are). It’s all about understanding where you stand and making sense of the evolving landscape.

As a strategic visual storyteller at Indi Dust, I bring clarity to complex ideas through visuals. This time, I captured the Wardley Mapping process live, turning Pete’s expert breakdown into a visual timelapse that shows the strategy come to life. It’s a perfect intro for anyone curious about how mapping works or just loves watching a good drawing unfold.

So, whether you’re a strategy nerd or just looking to conquer your Wardley Mapping fears, grab a coffee (or wine, no judgment here) and watch the replay

Watch as we break down the barriers to strategic mapping—one Tansey, one map, and one epic timelapse at a time.

For more info, check out:

• Agile Pete: agilecolab.com

• Cheryl Tansey: linkedin.com/in/cheryltansey

Curious about Wardley Mapping? Start here:

• Wardley Mapping: learnwardleymapping.com

• MapKeep: mapkeep.com