Mentorship and Growth: Cultivating Success for Tomorrow's Storytellers
The Write A Great Story Foundation began as the Storyteller Foundation, established under the Family University Foundation. Since its inception, the foundation has provided $160,000 in scholarships to 120 emerging writers, supporting them in crafting impactful narratives under the mentorship of industry professionals. Our mission is to elevate the human experience through stories that inspire, educate, and challenge society.
The foundation offers tailored programs that include one-on-one mentoring, group sessions, and retreats, ensuring that each writer can hone their craft, discover their unique voice, and learn the business skills necessary for success. As Steven Spielberg puts it, “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”
Walk for Story.
"After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
~ Philip Pullman
Inspiring ~
This is why we Walk for Story—to open doors for writers to learn from industry icons and access opportunities they might not have had otherwise. Through your contributions, you’re not just supporting writers in their academic pursuits—you’re empowering them to express themselves authentically and craft stories that will amplify diverse voices, ignite critical conversations, and foster a more empathetic, inclusive world.
How You Can Make A Difference.
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Donate: Your contribution directly supports our mission. It provides the scholarships and mentorship writers need to build meaningful, life-long careers as storytellers who can sustain themselves and their families.
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Join a Team: Starting September 3rd, join a community of supporters by choosing your favorite movie genre team and rallying your network to uplift the storytellers of tomorrow. Whether or not you walk, your involvement will make a lasting impact on their journey.
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Participate in the Walk: September 28 - 29. Join your fellow storytellers and fans, walk 10,000 steps or 5 miles to honor a storyteller who has inspired you—whether they are a renowned figure or someone cherished in your life. Share your journey on social media, inspire others, and contribute to our collective goal.
Why it's important:
Together, we shape far more than the future of storytelling.
In a thriving year, the U.S. film and television industry is a bustling hub of activity, directly employing over 2.5 million people across a wide array of roles. From the stars on screen—actors, directors, and writers—to the many dedicated crew members, production assistants, and support staff behind the scenes, this industry provides opportunities for millions. Nearly 2 million of these workers earn wages that not only cover the basics but also support growing families with stable housing, nutritious food, and even some extra for college savings and retirement planning. Many of these jobs are union positions, offering good pay and benefits for highly skilled workers like electricians, computer scientists, programmers, designers, artists, carpenters, metal workers, and pipe fitters. When you factor in the additional jobs created in related industries—such as catering, transportation, and marketing—the number of American jobs supported by the film and TV industry can soar to over 5 million each year.
Similarly, the music recording and distribution industry is another vital part of the economy, though on a different scale. It directly employs around 1.7 million people in roles ranging from musicians and producers to sound engineers and marketing professionals. While many established artists and technical workers earn wages that can comfortably support a family, income variability is a challenge, especially for independent musicians and those outside union structures. Despite these challenges, the music industry, like film and television, creates a ripple effect of employment, supporting over 3 million jobs when including related sectors like concert venues, merchandising, and digital platforms.
The theater industry, though smaller, also plays a crucial role in our cultural landscape, directly employing about 500,000 people. Many of these jobs are unionized, particularly in major markets like Broadway, offering stable wages that support families. When considering the broader impact, including jobs in hospitality and tourism, the theater industry supports around 1 million jobs in total.
The publishing industry is another cornerstone of the creative economy. It directly employs over 700,000 people in roles such as authors, editors, graphic designers, printers, and marketers. This industry is essential not only for its cultural contributions but also for its economic impact, providing stable income for many workers.
Additionally, the ripple effect extends into related sectors such as book retail, education, and distribution, ultimately supporting over 1.2 million jobs. While the shift to digital media has brought challenges, the demand for compelling stories, knowledge, and educational content ensures that publishing remains a vital part of the economy.
Together, these industries not only entertain millions but also provide livelihoods for millions more, making them indispensable to both the economy and the cultural fabric of society. Together, these industries support over 10.2 million jobs in the U.S. economy, and it all begins with the writer's story.
