Apply to the 2026 StoryFest Louisville Cohort

Applications are now open for nonprofit leaders creating meaningful change in Louisville and our surrounding communities.

Application Deadline: October 15

Storytelling changes hearts. Leadership changes systems.

At StoryFest Louisville, we believe the two go hand in hand.

Each year, we bring together a group of changemakers to explore the power of personal narrative as a tool for impact. 

Through StoryFest Louisville, you’ll gain storytelling skills, build relationships across sectors, and take the stage to share your lived experience at a signature community event. More than that, we’ll help you connect your story to your leadership, your mission, and your movement.

Who Should Apply?

To be eligible for StoryFest Louisville 2026, you must:

  • Be in a leadership role within your organization that is empowered to make decisions and engage with stakeholders

  • Work for a nonprofit organization focused on creating solutions for the City of Louisville

  • Represent an organization with an annual operating budget of at least $150,000 for each of the past five years

You may be a great fit if you’re:

  • Willing to Be Real in Front of Strangers

    You’ve lived through something personal, mission-aligned, and transformational—and you’re open to shaping it into a story. We’re not looking for professional speakers; we’re looking for honest voices. StoryFest Louisville is a space for courageous storytelling, where vulnerability becomes power.

  • Curious and Coachable

    You’re open. You’re evolving. You’re excited to learn not just how to tell a story, but how to use it—to connect, to inspire, to lead. And you’re ready to grow alongside a cohort of passionate, diverse leaders.

  • Seeking a New Tool for Connection and Action

    You’ve mastered the data. Now, you want to move people. Through story, you can shift hearts and minds—whether you're rallying donors, mobilizing volunteers, energizing staff, or advocating for policy change.

  • Leading with Community in Mind

    Your mission serves more than a cause—it serves people. You’re shaping Louisville’s future by building trust, strengthening relationships, and holding influence where it matters. You see your leadership as part of a broader effort to expand opportunity, resilience, and dignity across our city.

  • In It for the Long Haul

    StoryFest Louisville isn’t a one-time workshop—it’s a multi-month, in-person experience. You’ll attend sessions, receive one-on-one coaching, and invest in the growth of your cohort. You’ll walk away with more than a story; you’ll leave with a new way to lead.

This is Your Invitation

If you’re ready to harness the power of your story in service of your mission—apply today. Spots are limited, and applications close soon.

The work you’re doing matters. Let’s make sure the story behind it is heard.

Storyteller Spotlight:
Prasanthi Persad

Executive Director, Wilderness Louisville

“We added two new board members as a direct result of our StoryFest participation. The experience also taught me the importance and value of storytelling in personalizing information shared with potential funders, as opposed to merely sharing facts and statistics.”

Prasanthi’s story traced her journey from a rural town she once longed to leave to a life in the city—only to find herself unexpectedly drawn back to the trees, trails, and landscapes of her youth. Through that story, she uncovered something deeper: nature had always been a source of healing.

Since StoryFest, she’s begun using personal storytelling in donor meetings—not just to convey facts, but to help funders understand what drives the mission of Wilderness Louisville and why it matters. That shift has already led to two new board members joining the organization.

  • What to Expect → The Journey, Step-by-Step

    Explore the rhythm of the cohort—from workshops and coaching to the moment you take the stage.

    Click Here

  • 2025 Outcomes → Where it Began and What it Sparked.

    A look back at the leaders, partnerships, and momentum that shaped our first chapter.

    Click Here