Most winters I play pond hockey on Curtis Pond. Over the years the old dam that ‘made’ the pond started to fail. They asked all of hockey players for 25 bucks to help save the ‘damn dam’.
I thought I could help a bit more. This is a story of how people give to people.
The most effective fundraising campaigns never ask for money, they offer people memories of something they care about and maybe even love. Over nine years we have help to raise more than 68 million dollars for our clients. The throughline has been the same: authentic stories told well outperform polished pitches every time.
This film was our smallest campaign, produced for one rural community in the mountains who were about to lose their beloved lake. The story was clear – protect a hundred winters of pond hockey, first swims, and small-town rituals that people didn’t want to lose. Support the restoration of a failing dam that had shaped life in a small Vermont community for over a hundred years. Our job was to help people care. It’s the kind of work Dreamlike Pictures was built for: world class storytelling, community campaigns, and cause-driven video storytelling that moves people.
All we had were a box of old photographs., and one willing voice. Our task was to make the story matter. The Curtis Pond campaign raised over a million dollars. If you’re trying to move people, this is our lane.
This was a labor of love for me. I asked for any images, old and new and what was the story behind the dam and why it mattered to this place. I wrote a script, took the ringleader into his first recording studio and produced the film for the community to use in their communication and fundraising campaign.
For ten years we’ve have helped many people get to their dreams. Usually, it’s to help raise millions. In this case it was a lot less. Regardless of the amount, our job doesn’t get cash pouring in, but it Does get some people to care enough to help.
It’s never about Money. We never mention it. It’s about excitement and connection. It’s just shining a light on a good idea and offering a few people to come along.
If you’re trying to raise capital, and it seems like it’s not working…they’re not rejecting you. They’re rejecting the story you told. Tell real stories that matter to your audience.
July 2nd, 2024 The Curtis Pond Assoc. broke ground to replace the one hundred year old dam, with a modern, flood proof, simple and safe structure, good for another 100 years. Another 100 years of hockey, of couples sharing moonlit skates and kids learning to swim just by having fun
