STORYTELLING TRAINING FOR NONPROFITS

June – August 2022

Stories have the power to inform and inspire, excite and engage. As nonprofits face continued challenges, their storytelling must also evolve and adapt for various audiences and ever-changing community needs.

The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation are thrilled to announce the 2022 edition of StoryGrowing WNY. Through a virtual kick-off workshop and in-person capacity-building program in branding, social media and more, you can strengthen your organization’s storytelling—which is more important than ever—as you work toward achieving your mission.

Applying for StoryGrowing WNY 2022.

Applications are now open for the full, in-depth StoryGrowing WNY program that will run from June to August, 2022. We are excited to return the program to an in-person format – and have condensed the schedule to be more efficient and convenient for busy nonprofit professionals.

Teams accepted in our 2022 cohort will participate in five partial-day sessions (ranging from 2.5 to 4 hours in length). Local communications professionals will lead sessions on brand positioning, public relations, digital media, and more. The program will conclude with a special presentation by Andy Goodman on ethical storytelling.

Through StoryGrowing WNY, you will learn to cultivate stories and effectively employ storytelling strategies to further your organization’s mission.

Program Objectives

Assessing internal and external communications

Identifying brand positioning and key messaging

Using stories in advocacy, development, recruiting, community outreach, and more

Understanding best practices in writing, photography, video, and social media

Developing a comprehensive communications plan

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 2022. 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.

How to apply?

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 13, 2022. A representative of your team may be asked to participate in a phone interview as a part of the application process. Organizations will be notified of acceptance no later than May 31, 2022.

On behalf of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation, we look forward to reviewing your application. If you have questions, please email info@storygrowingwny.org.

A collaborative effort.

StoryGrowing WNY is presented by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and The John R. Oishei Foundation.

The Health Foundation for Western and 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.