Portfolio
Below are samples of published articles, impact stories, and web content I’ve written. I specialize in clear, engaging storytelling and strategic communication across a range of industries—and I adapt tone and style to fit each audience and goal.
Click any link to view the full piece.
Web content
The Gift Catalogue was a large, multi-faceted fundraising initiative for Mohawk College Foundation. In 2020, it won a Prix D’Excellence Bronze Medal for Best Fundraising Materials presented by The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.
I work with All Day Breakfast as a Freelance Writer. They requested copy that conveyed their agency’s creativity, identified services, while setting it apart from the rest. You’ll see throughout that the use of puns were encouraged and celebrated.
An email solicitation is only as good as the statistics to prove it. These solicitations were both successful because of compelling subject lines, appealing headers, and messaging that is short, concise wording.
The one below tells a story from the perspective of a current student. I chose this direction because a story is stronger and more credible from someone the organization is fundraising for, rather than an employee paid by the college.
These two solicitations were sent out on Giving Tuesday – a Global Day of Giving. I chose to continue the “fill the fridge” theme because it was successful in 2019 and the need grew in 2020. However, the 2020 message was slightly tweaked to acknowledge the pandemic.
Thank-you letters
The purpose of personalized thank you letters is to make a donor feel important and special. I do this by researching and using specific information to craft a letter that is donor-centric and impact-focused. Can you tell from the letter that this donor is 1 of 500+? They couldn’t either.
(*Personal details have been removed to respect donor privacy)
Impact stories
Swinging to Success
This human interest story was written to tell Grace Siu’s story of being an alumni and a donor.
InTouch Magazine, reaches over 70,000 alumni worldwide.
The Story of Two Golden Rules
This impact story was written to honour the late Mischa Weisz who made an impactful gift to City School by Mohawk.
Heather’s story
This story is about Heather, a recipient of financial assistance. Her story speaks to the impact of donations from a student perspective.
The story is part of a campus-wide awareness campaign designed to
The My Downtown series is a campaign by the Downtown Brantford BIA. The goal of the story series is to highlight local business owners and promote the downtown as a destination.
This story featured Jenna Garbedian, owner of The Works restaurant.
View the article here (page 10)
The My Downtown series is a campaign by the Downtown Brantford BIA. The goal of the story series is to highlight local business owners and promote the downtown as a destination.
This story featured Sgt. Christopher Grantham, Brantford Police Service.
View the article here (page 17)
The My Downtown series is a campaign by the Downtown Brantford BIA. The goal of the story series is to highlight local business owners and promote the downtown as a destination.
This story featured Kyle, owner of Brighteyes Barbershop.
View the article here (page 13)
Report to the Community
The Report to the Community is sent to over 600 donors each year. It provides an overview of the impact of donations and the Foundation’s financial information for the past fiscal year.
The Report to the Community is sent to over 600 donors each year. It provides an overview of the impact of donations and the Foundation’s financial information for the past fiscal year.
Cheryl Stornelli Copywriting 