The Telling Room Launches $1 Million Fundraising Campaign
Afterschool students in Story Sleuths get writing with Lead Teacher Swathi Sivasubramanian in The Telling Room's new location
As we settle into our new location on Washington Avenue, The Telling Room is excited to announce the launch of the Grow. Write. Now. campaign. Grow. Write. Now. aims to raise one million dollars by June 30th, 2029 to support The Telling Room's transition to our new home and the people who serve thousands of Maine youth annually, creating a sense of belonging while building confidence around their skills of literacy and self-expression. This three year campaign begins with over $300,000 already committed towards the one million dollar goal.
After operating for over two decades at our former writing studio on Commercial Street, the Grow. Write. Now. campaign will secure The Telling Room’s occupancy in its new, larger space for fifteen years to come, and build our capacity to implement our recently developed compensation philosophy, designed to ensure the organization’s financial sustainability and advance its people.
OUR CURRENT PROGRESS TO GOAL:
$300,000
We are deeply grateful to everyone supporting this campaign. A note on the growing stack of books marking progress towards our $1M goal:
Small Book = a single campaign commitment of $25,000, or the collective impact of several campaign gifts and commitments totaling $25,000
Medium Book = a single campaign commitment of $50,000
Large Book = a single campaign commitment of $100,000
“This is a transformational time for The Telling Room,” says Executive Director Kristina Powell. “We’re leveling up, building on our foundation as a beloved organization and transitioning into an institution poised to lead in the fields of youth empowerment and arts engagement. Grow. Write. Now. elevates our ability to do this work in a space with a 50% larger footprint for programming, while making it possible for The Telling Room to attract and retain a diverse and talented team. We’re incredibly grateful to the philanthropists who have already dedicated support to The Telling Room’s exciting future, and are looking forward to welcoming more partners into our community of giving throughout the campaign.”
The Telling Room’s new location at Washington Avenue increases accessibility for students through its proximity to public transportation and Portland’s residential neighborhoods, while also making it possible for The Telling Room to host author readings, book launches, and community gatherings in-house.
Lead Teacher Jack Gendron supports a Word Play student making zines afterschool
“The Telling Room’s new location feels woven into the everyday life of East Bayside and creates an opportunity to leave a meaningful imprint on the community. It opens up possibilities to reach more young people, especially youth from multilingual, immigrant, and other backgrounds that have long been part of the neighborhood,” says Telling Room Alumni Ambassador Askar Azeez.
Azeez, who grew up in East Bayside, participated in The Telling Room’s nationally recognized Young Writers & Leaders program from 2022 - 2023 and is now pursuing Government & Legal Studies at Bowdoin College. “The new space will offer future students a place that truly feels like their own; a place to create, write, meet other young people, and feel that their ideas and stories matter. Beyond the physical space, I hope it becomes a neighborhood hub where young people from all backgrounds can find confidence, community, and opportunities they may not otherwise access.”
The rain doesn't dampen the spirits of writers in The Telling Room's afterschool programs
“Our students are able to tap into their creativity and confidence when they feel like they belong,” shares Nick Whiston, Telling Room Program Director. “That comes when youth feel at home here—that this is a place where they can be their authentic selves and fearlessly share their voices. Our physical space creates that feeling, as do the people at The Telling Room who thoughtfully and expertly empower youth to express themselves.”
“We are dedicated to stewarding The Telling Room’s future by supporting two pillars that are critical to youth feeling a sense of home here: our people and our place,” shares Telling Room Board Vice Chair Matty Oates, who leads the Grow. Write. Now. campaign committee. “The people are our staff and the community that comes together to uplift students and their writing, while the place is our new home at 55 Washington Avenue. It’s where the magic happens as these young writers transform not just into authors, but into leaders, changemakers, and critical thinkers.”
With a place to call home and a team that creates an empowering culture of belonging and self-expression, our students and community can reach their full potential. With your support, we can build a future where youth make themselves heard, and their communities value their voices.
Your Friends,
The Telling Room
Join Us at Our Open House
Friday, October 2nd from 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Our Open House event will be held on Friday, October 2nd, from 2:30pm - 6:30pm at 55 Washington Avenue, Suite 1E, Portland, Maine. It's been an exciting transition into the new space, and we would love to share it with you all.
There will be light refreshments and snacks provided as well as fun writing activities, like magnetic poetry, exquisite corpse, writing prompts, and more all during Portland’s First Friday Art Walk. Check out our new programming space, meet the incredible members of our team, and take in our new neighborhood. For more information on directions and how to get to our new location, head to the Visit page on our website.
This event is free and open to the public, so bring your family and friends! We can't wait to see you there.