Nonprofit Fundraising Videos: Testimonial Storytelling for Impact
Nonprofit fundraising videos can turn stories into action. These videos give your nonprofit a human face, spark giving, and raise awareness for your cause. There’s no better way to show the impact you create than through the powerful words of real people.
Getting noticed as a nonprofit gets harder every year. The right fundraising video makes it easy for supporters to understand—and care about—your organization’s impact.
This guide covers what you need to know about creating impactful fundraising videos with testimonials.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Testimonial videos make fundraising feel personal.
A strong video motivates donors to take real steps.
Firsthand stories inspire and create trust for your fundraising campaign.
Video content can raise awareness and drive more donations for your nonprofit.
Practical tips help you plan, script, film, and share your next fundraising video.
Telling your story matters.
Short videos help your fundraising campaign get noticed.
Why Do Nonprofits Need Fundraising Videos?
Nonprofit fundraising is never easy. Attracting support takes more than just words on a page.
Videos for nonprofits put real stories in front of potential donors.
A video created for fundraising purposes can:
Raise awareness for your nonprofit campaign.
Build trust with transparent stories.
Show the need for donations in a direct way.
We use videos in every major fundraising campaign. These shorter videos get shared more on different social media platforms.
What Types of Nonprofit Videos Work Best?
Below are the primary categories of nonprofit videos to consider:
Testimonial video: A donor or volunteer shares what your nonprofit means to them.
Explainer videos: Show what your organization does and why you need donors.
Campaign video: Highlight a specific fundraising campaign in under two minutes.
Impact videos: Use real voices to show the results you make possible.
I've discovered that videos featuring testimonials often resonate the fastest. When someone speaks openly about your impact, it feels real and urgent.
Shorter videos work well for raising awareness on social channels. Longer videos can dig deeper for your fundraising event or website.
How Can Testimonial Videos Inspire Action?
Here’s what makes a video strategy strong:
The person’s story aligns with your nonprofit’s mission.
The video clearly shows exactly how the nonprofit impacted the speaker.
There is a simple, direct call to action at the end.
People trust real voices. Authenticity in your nonprofit video creates clear calls to action.
Adding emotional storytelling creates a sense of urgency. A testimonials makes your fundraising campaign feel needed right now.
What Does an Effective Nonprofit Video Look Like?
A successful video includes:
Clear message about your nonprofit’s mission and fundraising need.
Simple script—keep it personal and easy to follow.
Visuals showing your team, volunteers, and those you serve.
Calls to action at the end—ask for a donation, share, or volunteer.
Keep viewers engaged with:
Shorter videos (under 3 minutes when sharing on social media).
Headline that states the nonprofit’s impact.
Feeling of hope and purpose.
Videos to inspire are easy to share and pass along. When you create video content that’s easy to remember, sharing the video brings in more supporters.
Look for video examples from nonprofits like yours for ideas.
Tips for Creating Powerful Nonprofit Fundraising Videos
You don’t need a big budget to make a strong video. Use what your organization already has.
Here’s how:
Write a short, clear video script before filming.
Film in bright, quiet places.
Use your volunteers—real faces work best.
Mix in photos and clips from past fundraising efforts.
End every video with a clear request, like “donate now” or “join us as a volunteer.”
A video production company can help if you want a fundraising video that’s more polished.
Animated video or explainer videos can work for special events. Just be sure your compelling video always feel honest and focused on your impact.
Video marketing strategies for nonprofits include sharing clips on:
Your main nonprofit website
Email campaigns for donors
Social media channels
At your fundraising event
Make sure your video clearly explains your organization’s impact and what you want viewers to do.
How Do I Share and Promote My Nonprofit Video?
Sharing your nonprofit fundraising videos widely is just as important as making them.
Distribute your campaign video in these ways:
Post on your nonprofit’s homepage.
Share clips in email newsletters and fundraising campaigns.
Upload to all your social media.
Ask volunteers and donors to repost the video.
A personalized video thanking donors after gifts keeps your supporters engaged.
Make sure your video to communicate your fundraising ask is short and direct.
Track how people respond, and use successful video examples as a guide for your next campaign.
How Can Video Build Trust and Raise More?
Nonprofit video storytelling is powerful for showing results.
When donors see how their support helps real people, it builds trust.
Include these in your fundraising videos:
Stories from beneficiaries and volunteers.
Specific results from past fundraising.
Calls to action to drive donations.
Video can help raise more by making your organization stand out as a powerful nonprofit doing inspiring work.
Help your nonprofit with effective videos. Watch nonprofit video examples to see what works best, then try those ideas in your own campaigns.
Summary
Testimonial videos make your fundraising efforts feel personal and urgent. Short, clear nonprofit video content builds trust and inspires donors to take action. The best video technique use stories from real people, with a simple message about your organization’s impact. Share your videos across every platform, and always ask viewers to act.
Don’t wait to show the impact you’re making. Video can help your nonprofit stand out right now, join us for a 30-minute Discovery Call.