Video Strategies for Non-Profits (13 examples)

02 Aug Video Strategies for Non-Profits (13 examples)

Video content is no longer a “nice to have”, it is a must (especially for non-profits). Organizations that become “media first” in their daily efforts simply get more traction!  Stories connect with their audience and move them to take action.

What does this mean tangibly? Better storytelling with video leads to more  funding and recruiting.

But in the conversations we have with non-profits two questions always come up:

1. What are some video content ideas that really move the needle?
2. Should we put the videos on our website, build YouTube, or other social channels?

Yes.

Some content will pop off on different channels, but it doesn’t hurt to test content in many places. The more you publish the better you will get at figuring out what will work where.

13 Examples

Let’s look at a few impressive non-profits who have leveraged video well and the tactics they used.

 

Example: Charity: Water

• How They Do It: Charity: Water tells incredible stories through their videos. They document the journeys of people in developing countries who now have access to clean water. These emotional stories help viewers see exactly where their donations are going and who they’re helping.
• Results: Their videos have helped raise over $100 million and brought clean water to over 9 million people worldwide.

 

Example: Samaritan’s Purse

• How They Do It: Samaritan’s Purse uses videos to share their mission of providing spiritual and physical aid to people in need. Their videos often feature stories from those they’ve helped, showing the impact of their work in disaster relief and community development.
• Results: Their compelling video content has helped them raise millions in donations and increase volunteer participation globally.

 

Example: Compassion International

• How They Do It: Compassion International creates videos that highlight the stories of children and families who benefit from their sponsorship programs. These videos showcase the transformative impact of sponsorship on education, health, and well-being.
• Results: Their videos have played a significant role in increasing child sponsorships and boosting donor engagement, leading to sustained financial support for their programs.

 

Example: World Vision

• How They Do It: World Vision uses videos to tell stories of their work in communities around the world, focusing on both evangelism and relief efforts. Their videos often feature the voices of those directly impacted by their programs.
• Results: World Vision’s video content has been effective in raising awareness and funds, with specific campaigns generating millions in donations and expanding their volunteer base.

 

Example: World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

• How They Do It: WWF shares video testimonials from people who’ve seen their conservation work firsthand. With beautiful visuals of wildlife and nature, these videos mix personal stories from locals and experts to show their impact.
• Results: WWF’s impactful videos have significantly increased donor retention and engagement, with some campaigns reaching millions of views on social media.

 

Example: The Humane Society

• How They Do It: The Humane Society gives a peek behind the curtain with videos of their animal rescue and rehab operations. This transparency builds trust and shows the dedication of their team.
• Results: These videos have not only boosted donor trust but also increased volunteer sign-ups by 20%.

 

Example: Khan Academy

• How They Do It: Khan Academy’s educational videos are both learning tools and promotional content. They highlight the organization’s mission to provide free, top-quality education, attracting donors and volunteers alike.
• Results: Their videos have been viewed over a billion times, helping to attract major donors like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

Example: Relay For Life (American Cancer Society)

• How They Do It: Relay For Life creates highlight reels of their fundraising events, capturing the excitement and community spirit. These videos encourage future participation and show the tangible results of the funds raised.
• Results: Event highlight videos have increased participation rates by 15% and boosted fundraising totals by millions of dollars.

 

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Example: Save the Children

• How They Do It: Save the Children’s videos feature clear, compelling calls to action, urging viewers to donate, volunteer, or spread the word. They often focus on urgent, time-sensitive campaigns to drive immediate responses.
• Results: Their call-to-action videos have led to rapid fundraising responses, raising millions in emergency relief funds.

 

Example: Habitat for Humanity

• How They Do It: Habitat for Humanity’s videos showcase volunteers in action, building homes and transforming lives. These clips highlight the rewarding experience of volunteering and feature testimonials from current volunteers.
• Results: Volunteer recruitment videos have led to a 30% increase in volunteer sign-ups.

 

Example: Doctors Without Borders

• How They Do It: Doctors Without Borders creates thank-you videos for their donors, featuring personal stories from beneficiaries and field workers. These videos show donors the real impact of their contributions.
• Results: Donor recognition videos have increased donor retention rates and have been effective in securing repeat donations.

 

Example: The Louvre (Non-profit cultural institution)

• How They Do It: The Louvre offers virtual tours via video, letting viewers explore the museum from anywhere. These tours educate and encourage donations to support and expand their collections.
• Results: Virtual tour videos have attracted global attention, increasing online donations and virtual ticket sales.

 

Example: ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge

• How They Do It: The ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge is a standout example of a viral video campaign. Participants posted videos of themselves dumping ice water over their heads, challenging others to do the same and donate. This fun and engaging campaign raised massive awareness and funds for ALS research.
• Results: The campaign went viral, raising over $115 million in donations and significantly increasing awareness of ALS.

 

Tips for Creating Awesome Video Content

1. Keep It Short: Attention spans are short, so aim for videos under three minutes to keep people engaged.
2. Focus on Quality: Good lighting and clear audio are key, even if you’re just using a smartphone.
3. Include a Call to Action: Always let viewers know what you want them to do next—donate, volunteer, or share your video.
4. Optimize for Social Media: Use subtitles for those who watch without sound and consider square or vertical formats for mobile viewers.
5. Tell a Compelling Story: Use narratives that evoke emotions and make a personal connection with your audience.

 

If it isn’t obvious, we help with this process and we call it: Story Growth™. Hit us up if you want to do a Story Growth Workshop!