Welcome to “Hope in Every Story: Recovery through Storytelling,” our Spring Fundraiser for 2025.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the International Storytelling Center and its surrounding communities have faced (and are still facing) incredible challenges. Yet, here at ISC, we still believe in the transformative power of storytelling. It’s a beacon of resilience, strength, and unwavering hope—the kind of hope that binds communities together.
This spirit of hope is both the theme and the mission of our 2025 fundraiser. At ISC, we’re not just focused on telling tales; we’re crafting narratives that inspire change, foster understanding, and lead to community healing. We are committed to continuing to uplift and empower individuals of all ages to pursue their fullest potential – through performances, workshops, and educational and community partnerships.
In the year ahead, ISC is dedicated to strengthening and rebuilding so we can continue to positively impact our region and beyond. With your support, this year is our opportunity for recovery — both for ISC and the communities we cherish.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the first $7,500 raised for the “Hope in Every Story” campaign will be matched. This means your contribution will have double the benefit!
We’ve already witnessed incredible support from our storytelling community. You stepped up to help friends and neighbors when the need was most urgent. We look forward to continuing the journey together as we look to the future.
Your gift will help us fortify our ability to offer storytelling as a force for good in the world, ensuring that the healing power of storytelling continues to thrive for generations to come.
Our Impact in Action:
Building Hope Through Stories
Through ISC’s Storytelling Live, which runs May through October, as well as the National Storytelling Festival (set to return Oct. 3-5), ISC offers more than 300 hours of live storytelling for residents and visitors each year, bringing the benefits found in the artform to larger audiences, as well as fueling economic development (estimated at $7.6 million annually) and providing cultural and educational opportunities for tourists and locals alike. This year, we’d like those numbers to go even higher.
Building Hope Through Education
In 2024, ISC hosted over 40 performances for child-centered community organizations and school groups, reaching nearly 2,000 youth. Additionally, 800 fifth-graders participated in ISC’s 4th Annual Kids Institute this past November where storyteller Antonio Rocha led interactive and educational sessions that were curriculum-approved – bringing history, science, and geography to life. This year, we are planning the 5th Annual Kids Institute, which will provide even more opportunities for learning with local students and classrooms.
Building Hope Through Partnerships
ISC collaborates with local community-based organizations such as the Langston Centre, Coalition for Kids, and the Washington County Library to integrate storytelling components into their existing programs. This initiative aims to make the benefits of storytelling accessible to new and often underserved audiences. Additionally, ISC is proud of its ongoing partnership with Ballad Health, a healthcare system that is at the forefront of using storytelling in healthcare settings. These are just a few examples of our current partnerships.
Building Hope Through Sharing
When the National Storytelling Festival was canceled following Hurricane Helene, featured storytellers insisted on coming to Jonesborough to organize a fundraising concert for local flood relief efforts. When festival ticketholders were notified, they also stepped up, converting their ticket refunds into donations for both ISC and the United Way of East TN Highlands. As we approach 2025, ISC and the storytelling community will be looking for more opportunities to share and support one another.
