What we do at The Telling Room is more than just writing.
Youth who participate in our programs develop a sense of confidence, connection, and cultural engagement that helps our entire community flourish. Because when youth belong, they thrive.
That’s the big boost we saw in our students’ sense of self and confidence after working with us, with recent survey results showing gains of 26% when it comes to their interest in listening to others, comfort sharing their work, and belief that their voice matters.
Executive Director Kristina Powell holds a copy of It Rains Diamonds on Neptune, The Telling Room’s 20th Anniversary Anthology.
Dear Friends,
At The Telling Room, we know that engaging with art as individuals and in our communities is critical. We write to spark imagination, foster courage, and cultivate joy in the creative process. And last year, 95% of our youth participants reported positive growth in their writing enthusiasm, skill-building, and confidence after working with The Telling Room. Youth write with us and their sense of self shifts and evolves, so they can dream up and realize their powerful potential.
Communities need art. Reading and engaging in all forms of the literary arts means we are perspective taking, learning, developing, and continuing to grow—that across generations, identities, and lived experiences, we don’t sit stagnant but flourish in a culture of plurality. One where we are united in our shared values of supporting each other and continuing to seek inspiration and understanding. We foster this exchange of ideas and intergenerational connections at The Telling Room through our many opportunities for mentorship between authors of all ages, as generations of literary artists encourage one another and build community together—in our studio, online, in schools, in libraries, and inside their beautiful books.
Together, the artists, educators, professionals, and nonprofit partner organizations we collaborate with ensure that youth are part of this powerful and dynamic creative community—right now—as they find their voices on the page and beyond. These relationships make the entire State of Maine stronger. We are proud to be part of Maine’s vital arts and culture sector, which contributes $2.5 billion annually to our economy and our shared financial ecosystem.
Your support helps us bring youth together to realize their power through the literary arts. Your support helps us nurture communities who refuse to let their curiosity wane and who seek inspiration from each other’s creativity, viewpoints, and stories. We thank you for being part of this community of action together.
With gratitude,
Kristina M. J. Powell,
Executive Director, she/her/hers
Students take the mic at the Works-in-Progress afterschool reading in spring 2024
““Before The Telling Room, I have never been heard before.””
““The safe space, community, freedom to speak your mind, and the inspiration to write—it glues me.””
How to Give
All donations will help us advance our mission to empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world. Thank you for your support.
You can make a secure online donation here.
Contributions may be sent to:
The Telling Room
225 Commercial Street, Suite 201
Portland, ME 04101
For other ways to give, please contact our Development Director Sarah Schneider at sarah@tellingroom.org.
The Telling Room is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID # / EIN: 74-3136956 We currently hold a Guidestar/Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency for nonprofit reporting in finances, structures, programs, capacity, and impact.
Become a Corporate Sponsor
Our new annual sponsorship structure gives local businesses and organizations the opportunity for increased visibility through our special events, audience channels, and publications throughout the year. All contributions go towards supporting our suite of innovative writing and publishing programs for youth.
Read Our Latest Impact Report
See what a difference your gift makes here.
Our vibrant and generous community powers The Telling Room and uplifts our youth. Every gift we receive makes an enormous difference. Your donation will:
Reach youth throughout the State with one-of-a-kind literary arts programs: Each year we work with young writers in over 100 communities
Ensure students have healthy snacks in our afterschool programs – and treats at their book launch celebrations: We’ve served over 35,000 youth in 20 years!
Amplify youth voices: Telling Room authors share their work at events hosted by libraries, bookstores, festivals, museums, and other venues across Maine as changemakers and artists vital to the literary conversation. We’ve published 5,100 authors in over 200 books!
Ignite the power of creative expression: Students say that they’re more confident and feel like their voice matters after working with The Telling Room
Reading Ahead:
Our 2023 - 2027 Strategic Plan
Learn more about what The Telling Room’s goals are for the next three years and how you can get involved here in our latest strategic plan.
Thank you to our generous supporters for helping make it all possible.
Community Support
The Telling Room belongs to a vibrant community of youth-serving organizations and arts nonprofits. We encourage wide support of Maine’s many nonprofits that uplift youth and the arts so our whole community can be stronger together.