Story Highlights

After losing her husband in the Old National Bank shooting, Maryanne Elliott created StoryFest, an initiative that helps Louisville nonprofit leaders craft and share their stories to inspire community support.

Events provide participating nonprofits with professional storytelling guidance and grants from the Tommy Elliott Fund, leading to significant donor and fundraising growth.

StoryFest returns April 2 at the Ali Center, featuring a new cohort of Louisville organizations focused on youth, family support, public safety, health care, food access and immigrant services.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Her husband was killed in the Old National Bank shooting. Since that day, Maryanne Elliott creates light in the darkness.

"When things in life happen that are tragic to us, where is there that opportunity to bring more love and light to the world," Elliott asks.

That question became her answer: StoryFest.

The initiative helps local nonprofit leaders tell their stories and turn those stories into impact.

"When you tell a good story, it really helps people move and act and give," Elliott said.

Participants work with professionals to shape their stories, then take the stage in front of hundreds.

Tommy Elliott

Tommy Elliott (Family provided photo)

The first StoryFest was held on the anniversary of the tragedy, reclaiming a painful day into one of purpose.

Each nonprofit also receives grants from the Tommy Elliott Fund.

"He loved this community, and he believed deeply in the people in it," Elliott said.

Organizers say the initiative is already making an impact. After last year’s event, participating nonprofits reported measurable growth, including more than $82,000 raised, 87 new individual donors and 10 new board members recruited.

Nonprofits from last year’s cohort also gained nearly 100 new donors and raised more than $80,000 after the event.

This year’s cohort includes leaders from Change Today Change Tomorrow, La Casita Center, Family & Children’s Place, Hip Hop Into Learning, The Center for Women and Families, the Louisville Metro Police Foundation and Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana.

The organizations represent a range of community needs, including youth development, public safety, family support, health care, food access and immigrant services.

Elliott says the grief will always be there, but her life is growing around it.

"The chair still sits empty and the garage door doesn’t go up, but on the other side I have other things that happen in my life that his love and his belief in me and our relationship supports, and StoryFest is one of those," she said.

She believes spring is a time of hope and renewal and encourages others to choose to do good with what they have.

StoryFest is on April 2 at the Ali Center. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are on sale now. 

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