LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new partnership between the Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership and the Leadership Louisville Center offers Louisville area nonprofits the opportunity to hone their storytelling skills and win thousands in grant money.

The Tommy Elliott Fund Storytelling Program honors Elliott’s work as a communicator and his belief in community service. The program will launch this fall as part of the Ignite Louisville program from the Leadership Louisville Center.

Elliott died during the April 2023 mass shooting inside Old National Bank. According to a news release, Elliott had a long history of service to local nonprofits, including the American Heart Association, Baptist Health, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Little Sisters of the Poor and Kentucky Educational Television.

“The range and depth of nonprofits across the Louisville area is astounding and inspiring,” said Maryanne Elliott, the wife of Tommy Elliott. “Imagine if every nonprofit could tell a compelling story that captivates and inspires people to support their mission. Good storytelling is a must-have for every nonprofit leader to really sell their work. Stories fuel the connections that build our community.”

“Tommy had such a huge impact on our community, and the nonprofits that partner with our Ignite Louisville teams will not just benefit from their project work, they will get to learn vital lessons in storytelling to help advance their missions,” said Cynthia Knapek, President and CEO of the Leadership Louisville Center.

Interested nonprofits can apply now for the opportunity to be one of seven nonprofits paired with a team of leaders from the Ignite Louisville program this fall. The Ignite Louisville team will assist these nonprofits with strategic initiatives for six months. At the spring graduation, one representative from each nonprofit will take part in a storytelling competition to showcase the skills they gain in communicating their organization’s mission and purpose.

The winning storytelling organization will be awarded a $6,000 grant. The Leadership Louisville Center and the Tommy Elliott Fund for Community Leadership will also support the winning organization by offering additional community storytelling opportunities throughout 2025.