“If you know Deb Nelson, you know she plants the best seeds,” offered Amy Hartzler of Do Good Better, which specializes in communications strategy and led the creation of MoneyTransforms.com.
“Years ago she suggested — ‘what do you think about a video focused on the story of money? The way money can be a force for good?’ I was hooked.”
Just like a seed that responds to light and nourishing conditions, the idea took form and emerged over time with the help and support of many caring hands. RSF Social Finance and Peter Vandermark committed resources to make it possible. Collaborators and thought leaders helped sort out concepts and weighed in on the script (for the full list of contributors please check out www.moneytransforms.com). And several Fellows shaped the resources available on moneytransforms.com to help people imagine ways to use their money for good.
Ruben DeLuna, master storyteller, director, and animator, led the creative team. “Animation can be a great way to visualize large systemic problems. As we explored ideas for the video, we knew we wanted that memorable visual metaphor, and also characters that could emotionally ground the story.”
“This was a real labor of love. The initial idea resonated, and it came to life after dozens of interviews and conversations with a community of financial activists and thought leaders. The end result is something we hope will inspire people to see the positive potential of money and to activate it for good,” said Deb Nelson, executive director of the Just Economy Institute.
Mariah McPherson, one of the JEI Fellows who worked on the project, said, “When Deb reached out, I knew I wanted to be involved. It seemed like a great opportunity to make some of the research I had done for my fellowship project available to a wider audience. The point of my work as a financial activist is to help others examine what their money is doing, and take action. Being able to collaborate with a group of Fellows on the landing page was a great way to extend our connection and reach new people.”
Please enjoy and share the video below and consider ways to transform your money at www.moneytransforms.com.
Image: Initial alternatives presented for character treatment and color palette
