Build Operational Capacity and Excellence
Three Strategic Pillars
we raise voicesone story at a time
Our Organization
In 1997, Young Storytellers began as an idea created by three film students, in one classroom at Playa Del Rey Elementary as a way to fill the gaps created by arts education cuts in public schools. This volunteer-run project grew steadily over the years, bolstered with educational expertise, and became a formally recognized 501c3 nonprofit in 2003.
Now, with over twenty-five years of working in classrooms nationally, we've seen the transformative experience a young person can have in our programs by connecting with others, making sense of the world, telling their own story, and seeing how that story impacts their peers. We've also seen a similar impact on the adults that participate as volunteers. We're continuing our work to reach more young people in more places, so that diverse communities can have access to what we know to be vital.
In a volatile, divisive world, sharing stories with one another is essential; it is what makes us human. We believe in young people and the power they hold in shaping a future that belongs to us all. Let's help them do it.
Strategic Plan 2025–2027
For the next three years, we're deepening our roots in Los Angeles. By expanding our programming, refining what we do, and investing in our staff and systems, we'll be bringing our 25+ years of in-classroom experience and unique culture to more students and communities. We're launching a new model for organizations that provide after school programming, streamlining our current in-school programs, and setting a sustainable financial foundation for the future.
We believe in young people and the power they hold in shaping a future that belongs to us all. Let's help them do it.
Increase and Diversify Revenue and Partnerships
Three Strategic Pillars
Streamline and Expand Programs
Three Strategic Pillars
Financials
We believe in transparency. Here’s our financial numbers for the fiscal year of 2024 for Young Storytellers.
Download our 2025-27 Strategic Plan
Download our NRG Report: Growing Pains
2025 Financial Statements coming soon
Download the Young Storytellers 2024 Audited Financial Statements
Download the Young Storytellers 2024 990 Form
View our Charity Navigator Profile
View our Guidestar Gold Seal Profile
Our Supporters
91 people have been volunteering for 5–9 years
8 people have been volunteering for 10+ years
58 people are both donors and volunteers
184 people have been donating for 5–9 years
39 people have been donating for 10+ years
47 people donate on a monthly basis
Thank you to our supporters! A L, Aarika Betz, Aaron Lipsett, Abigail Ex, Adelaide Kuehn, Aj Nseir, Alex Kinzig, Alex Rincon, Alexandra Murphy, Alexandra O'Callaghan, Alexandra Tangalos, Alexanna Ashley-Roth, Ali Yoshihara, Alicia Brown, Alisha Ricardi, Alison Haskovec, Alison Treleaven, Allie Stearns, Allison Adler, Alma O'Heron, Amanda Holquin, Amanda Weiskind, Amy Harris, Amy Perrette, Ana Martinez, Ana Verde, Anar Joshi, Andres Villegas, Andrew Colville, Andrew Dwulet, Andrew Levine, Andrew Newman, Angela Bao, Angela Cohan, Ani Shehigian, Animikha Dutt, Ann Kono, Anna Kim, Ann-Christel Graham, Annie To, Anthony Shiau, Antoinette Domenech, Antonia Frey, April Klimack, Arca Coruh, Arutyun Arganyan, Ashleigh Wardell, Atorrie stewart, Avery Abell, Barb Ciampini, Bari Goldberg, Beatrice Castagna, Benjamin Blake, BENJAMIN PAINE, Benjamin Thall, Bernadette Irizarry, Beth Hagenlocker, Bethany Harris, Betsy Leonard, Betsy Thomas, Bill and Cora Lynn Wilson, Bill Thompson, Bill Westfield, Binaifer Dabu, Biruktawit Gotta, blaire kaplan, Bonnie B, Brenda Saucedo, Brett Berkowitz, Brian Lynch, Brian Myers, Brianna Saavedra, Brielle Cruz-Vega, Brittany Cox, Bryan Alvarez, Bryan Johnson, C Martin, Caleb Garrett, Cameron Bolden, Camila Kong, Carly Calmes, Carly Rothman, Carol Lemos, Carolyn Gan, Cassandra Beucherie, Cassidy Yueh, catherine yeh, Chad Johnston, Charlene Gibbs, Charlotte DuFour, Chiemeka Azubuine, Chris Hazzard, Christina Sanchez, Christine Lew, Christopher Mack, Consuelo Tejada, Curt Curt, Cynthia Martinich, Cynthia Pai, Dan Bucatinsky, dana klein, Dani Martineck, Daniel Barnz, Daniel G Garza, Daniel Hatcher, Daniel Segura, Daniel Taglialatela, Daniel Vapnik, Daniel Zaragoza, Danielle Achiro, Danilo Songco, Danni Wang, Darien Battle, Dave Neustadter, David Benz, David Clayton, david haimovitz, David Mandel, David Norris, David Ohlsen-Esparza, David Stone, David W Stone, David Yang, Deanna Healey, Debbie Stern, Debora Gotta, Della Mendivil, Dennis Singletary, Devin&Briar D, Diana Hanson, Dr Olivia Beaty, efrain cruz, Elaina Waddell, Elaine Fosse, Eleanor Yeager, Eliana Pipes, Elisabeth Gustafson, Elizabeth Fuller, Elizabeth G Wilson, Elizabeth ingold, Ellen McGinnis, Emily Benedetto, Emily Caesar, Emily Freedman, Emily Ryan, Eric Urbiztondo, erisa stilley, Esther Sorota, Ethan Dunning, Ethan Simonds, Eunice Kramer, Farbod Kadkhoda, For Good Foundation, Gabe Schneider, Gabrielle B., Gabrielle Ledonne, Gaby and Rob Greenberg, Gary Nelson, Gina Goodhill, Gina Manola, Gina Taranto, Girv Girv, Gisele Roberts, Gonzalo García, Grace Beck, Grant Cohen, Greg Saint john, GREGORY A CORNEJO, Gregory Nelson, Hannah Chatalas, Harish Thangavel, Harrison Bains, Heather Dowling, Hernan Basilan, Hunter Hopewell, India Cohlmia, Ineke Boscarino, isa hopkins, Isaac Diaz, Isabel Brown, Jackie Robbins, Jackson Duneier, Jaclyn Navar, Jacob Densen, Jacqueline Filgo, JAMILA MAJESTY, Jane Buckingham, Janelle DeJohn, Jasmine Sanchez, Jason Mittleman, Jason Tsui, Jaylene Benggon Chung, Jean Welles, Jeannje Koenigsberg, Jeffrey perlmutter, Jenna Cicardo, Jennifer Crittenden, Jennifer Gerstenblatt, Jennifer Guerra, Jeremy O'Keefe, Jessica Postigo, Jessica Saul, Jessica Thomas, Jessie Yu, Jim Diamantoni, Jin Soo Kang, Joana Underwood, Joel Arquillos, Johann Mendoza, John Thomas Stanford, john to, John Vincent Lombardi, Jonah Braun, Jonathan Kapiloff, Jordan Stallings, Jordan Warrick, Jori Kodroff, Joshua R. Scherr, Joshua Winstead, Juan Ramon, Julia Anderson, Julie Gasparich, Julie Lynn, Julie Miller, Julie Rowen, Julie Sim, Julie Tugend, Jy Pryshkulnik, Kandis Fay, Kara Wilde, Karen & Jim Murphy, Karen Barragan, Karen Lucente, Karen Sherwood, Karey Burke, Kate Angelo, Kate Phillips, Kathryn Nedwick, Kathy Ambler, Katie Holliman, Katie Tarses, Katie Xing, Katrina Wu, Katy Ortega, kayla reed, Kelly Dreher, Kelly Richard, Kelsey Ford, Kenneth Norwick, Keri Birmingham, Keri Safran, Kerry Stubbs, Kevin Barajas, Kim Cordes, Kimberly Estrada, Kira Lewis, Kirstin Kluver, Kristen Johnston, Kristin Didrickson, Kristina Lemos, Laila Hassell, Lani Monos, Lara Sando, Lauren Kaplan, Lauren Ondracek, LAURIE NARRO, Leah Murphy, Leah Olbrich, Leanne Huffman, Leisha Stroud, Leora Weinstock, Leyli Jamali, Linda Gagliardi, Linda Guerrero Brett Berkowitz, Linda Toth, Lindsay Sloane, Lindsey Naves, Lisa Manterfield, Lisa Nishimura, Liz Palmer, Logan Miles, Lori Shufflebarger, Lorraine martinez, Lucinda Pease-Alvarez, Lucy Bolognino, Madison Lauritzen, Maggie Cannan, Magrikie Berg, Marc Hofstatter, Marc Ricigliano, Margaret Thompson, Margot Niss, maria ziman, Marika Cahn, Mariko Ballentine, Mark Ganshirt, Mark Sam Rosenthal, Mark Walter, Mark Wind, Mary Jo Salcido, Mary Lynch, Mary Neale, Matt Checkowski, Matthew Kish, Max Greenfield, Mayra Hernandez, Mckenzie Ehrhart, Megan Greydanus, Meghan Paul, Meghann Heinrich, Melanie Reif, Melanie Weinstein, Melissa Edwards, Melissa Fisher, Melissa Ward, Meryl Phillips, Michael Adams, Michael Jones, Michael Kennett, Michael Lemos, Michael Morris, Michael Zilberman, Michael Zuccaro, Michelle Grondine, Michelle Kamme, Michelle Norris, Michelle Paris, Michelline Hall, Mike & JoAnn Hageman, Mike Clements, Mike Mitchell, Milton Cathcart, Mingyu Wu, MJ Salcido, Molly Russell, Monette Moio, Myracris Maracine, Nancy Bennett, Nancy Fiordaliso, Nancy Lopez, Naomi Frankel, Natalia Salas, Natalie Edmonds, Natalie Stamas, Nathan Alvarado, Nathan Kitada, Natt Supab, Nawaf Nseir, Neal Koch, Neha Modha, Nehemiah Williams, Neil Karan Ray, Nelly Kapen, Netta Most, Nicholas Gerger, Nicholas Pepper, Nick Diamantoni, Nick Thaler, Nicole Appleton, Nicole Lee, Nicole Scipione, Nicole Sullivan, Nidia Cos, Nikki Ciarelli, Nikki Rifkin, Nkem Chuk, Olga Gonzalez, Olivia Buscaglia, Olivia Chausson, Olivia Haddad, Orson Chung, Paddy Aubrey, Paije Cannone, Pam Diamantoni, Pam Maroon, Patricia Closser, Patricia Jackson, Patricia Pierce, Patricia Siqueiros, Patrick Murphy, Patrick Ward, Paul Achiro, Paul Karp, Paulette Light, Peggy Dela Cruz, Peter Haig, Peter McLaughlin, Phil Rampulla, Philip Ohriner, Preston DeFrancis, Rachael Campanella, Rachael DeBoer, rachel davenport, Rachel Hall, Rachel&Jay Tarses, Raymond Tambe, Raynald Alston, Rene Benavides, Renee Perez, Robert Esparza, Robert Kapen, romi lassally, Ron Livingston, Rory Pullens, RP Ruzan, Ryan Haliday, Sacha Tanha, Sally Perkins, Salvo Lavis, Samie Falvey, Samuel Brown, Samuel Rogoway, Sara Van Moorlehem, Sarah Abelson, Sarah Fleming, Sarah Schwab, Sarah Slater, Savanah Rubin, Scott Irvin, Semien Abay, Seth MacFarlane, Shaina Fewell, Shaina Pan, Shana, Shannon Pallone, Spencer McCaffrey, Stacey Hoppe, Stephanie Cota, Stephanie Hutchens, Stephen Thomas, Steven Mudd, Steven Piorkowski, Sue Knight, Summer Farrell, Summer Ly, Summera Howell, Suzanne Rodday, Suzy Shuster, Tal Rabinowitz, Tanya Edmilao, Tanya Juskalian, Tara Gurlides, Tara Kole, Taylor Morris, Tendo Nagenda, Teresa Montero, Tess Barker, The Crows, The Giving Back Fund Donation, Thomas Bang, Thomas Griffin, Thomas Jenkins, Tim Smith, Timothy Jang, Timothy Riley, Timothy Vince, Tina Thompson, Tineka Becker, Travis Bauer, Tristan Hom, Truman Shackelford, Vanessa Mendes, Vee On Ka, Vincent Del Rio, Violet Garcia, Wendi Trilling, Wesley Turnbow, William Douglas, William Tate, Wyatt Wu, Yelena Podkolzina, Yuval Bar-Zemer, Yvonne Ly, YVONNE ORJI, Zoey Bond
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