Together, We Can Change the Narrative.

StoryGrowing WNY is a communications skill building program presented by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation. Over the course of six sessions, you’ll learn how to articulate what your organization does, who it serves, and why that’s so valuable.

Learn More at the Free Program Kickoff.

StoryGrowing 2027 Kickoff
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Doors open: 8:30 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Buffalo Toronto Public Media
140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

StoryGrowing WNY starts with a free event open to all organizations interested in applying. The application period opens that day.

Aitina Fareed-Cooke, founder of Get Fokus’d Productions and Buffalo’s Poet Laureate, will open with a talk on speaking your truth and using your voice to shift the conversations that matter to your organization.

Human-First Fokus’d Storytelling: Voice, Values & Narrative Change

A featured learning experience within Speak Truth to Empower

Human First Fokus’d Storytelling: Voice, Values & Narrative Change is a keynote and interactive workshop experience designed and led by Aitina, with collaborative support from the Get Fokus’d Productions team. Created as part of the Speak Truth to Empower kickoff, this experience helps organizations reconnect with the truth of their work, find language that reflects their values, and strengthen the way they communicate with community, funders, partners, and one another.

From there, an elevator pitch workshop will help you simplify your core message and learn to shape it for different audiences —a funder, a neighbor, a reporter, an elected official—without losing sight of who you are.

The morning closes with a facilitated conversation. Organizations will be encouraged to get to know each other, talk through what narrative change looks like for them, and find ways to move that work forward together.

Attendance is mandatory if you plan to apply for StoryGrowing WNY 2027. Due to a limited capacity of 200 attendees, we ask that each organization send no more than two (2) representatives. Registration will close Friday, October 23.

What You Can Expect from StoryGrowing.

Practical Takeaways.

You’ll leave each session having built something: brand positioning and messaging, social and multimedia content, and more.

Expert Guidance.

Sessions are led by working practitioners who have put these skills to use in their own organizations. A dedicated team advisor with their own communications expertise will follow you through the program and help you keep moving forward.

Community of Practice.

You’ll join teams from nine other peer organizations. Every session includes opportunities to check in and learn from your fellow participants—a great way to build your network and enhance your learning.

Program Objectives

Assess internal and external communications to establish consistent voice and identity

Use strategic storytelling to advance organizational missions through targeted campaigns and stakeholder engagement

Understand platform best practices to build authentic community engagement and amplify impact

Master responsible photography, video, and visual content that honors subjects while communicating effectively

Develop comprehensive plans for crisis communication and proactive reputation management

Build compelling narrative skills for presentations, development, recruiting, community outreach, and effective advocacy

Acquire the skills to drive narrative change

Program Schedule

All workshop sessions will be held at The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, 641 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 from 9AM – 1PM. Visitor parking is available.

SESSION 1:

The Essential Elements of Branding
Friday, January 22, 2027

SESSION 2:

How to Make Social Media Memorable
Friday, February 26, 2027

SESSION 3:

Human First ‘Fukus’d’ Digital Storytelling
Thursday, March 25, 2027

SESSION 4:

Advocacy Strategy Development
Friday, April 23, 2027

SESSION 5:

Crisis Training and Reputation Management
Friday, May 28, 2027

SESSION 6:

From Purpose to Passion: Keys to the
Delivery of Your Story
Friday, June 25, 2027

Who Can Apply?

All nonprofit organizations (501c3) in the eight counties of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming) are invited to apply to StoryGrowing WNY 2027. Foundations and consultants will not be considered.

As part of the program requirements, your organization will be required to identify 2-4 participants who can commit to attending the in-person workshop sessions. You can view all program requirements within the StoryGrowing WNY application.

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation celebrate and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of their work. People who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or from other under-represented communities, or who serve those communities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the participation and application requirements, please refer to the downloadable StoryGrowing application.

A Collaborative Effort.

StoryGrowing WNY is presented by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation. The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation are committed to assisting our local nonprofit ecosystem build communications expertise and capacity that can help them raise their profile, increase fundraising, and engage their community. StoryGrowing is a comprehensive, collaborative program designed to enhance and expand nonprofits’ ability to share their story effectively.