The Ultimate Guide: How to Create Amazing Non-Profit Explainer Videos
In today's scrolling-obsessed world, charities have mere milliseconds to grab attention. At Leon! Animation Studio, we've seen firsthand how hard it is for nonprofits to cut through the noise. Our 2D animation company specialises in turning complex charity messages into clear, compelling stories.
This guide unpacks everything needed for charity videos that don't just explain your mission but make it stick. You'll finish knowing exactly how to craft videos that cut through noise, spark genuine interest, and turn scrollers into supporters.
People scroll fast. Your message needs to be faster.
That’s why a sharp explainer video from a seasoned animation studio beats walls of text. A well-made charity animation turns complex ideas into simple, emotional snapshots that stick.
Two minutes. One story. Far more powerful than twenty pages
Why do Non-profit Explainer Videos Matter?
Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text.
… but make sure your video isn’t too long and boring!
Video's magic lies in packaging complex ideas into snackable stories.
A well-crafted charity animation shows why your cause matters, how it affects real people, and what viewers can do to help—all in seconds. In a world where attention is currency, every frame counts.
Studies show the brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text. That’s why animated explainer videos work so well, especially with younger audiences who prefer watching to reading.
Information-Packed Charity Explainers
Sometimes the first step to winning support is simply explaining what you actually do—unpacking your mission in clear, simple terms.
Enter explainer videos.
These short, visually rich pieces translate complex information into accessible stories, making it infinitely easier for viewers to grasp your cause and feel connected to your work.
At Leon! Animation Studio, our team regularly transforms hundred-page reports into digestible 2-minute explainer animations. Our 2D animation studio distils complex policy proposals or research findings into visual stories that anyone can understand and share. For more practical inspiration, see some of our favourite examples of nonprofits getting explainer videos right.
Fundraising Videos That Drive Action
Promotional videos showcase your charity's campaigns, programmes, or upcoming events with a clear call to action.
They're particularly effective for time-bound initiatives, new project launches, or showing your organisation's relevance to current events.
These nonprofit animations excel at riding cultural waves to highlight your immediate importance.
For example, when we created an animated explainer video campaign for iDiaspora (a UN Migration project connecting diaspora leaders worldwide), the result smashed their original signup target of 1,500.
Similarly, our MyChart app animation helped the NHS in London get over 300,000 users sign up within six months. Clear, visually driven communication can genuinely deliver results. For additional examples of animations driving fundraising success, check out some standout nonprofit fundraising videos.
Charity Animations for Brand Building
Mission statement videos offer a powerful way to distill your organisation's purpose and values into a memorable format.
These charity animations help both staff and supporters understand your core focus while creating deeper emotional connections to your cause.
By visually showing your tangible impact and reinforcing your values, these videos become cornerstone elements in building a distinctive identity.
Look at our work with IOM/UN Migration's 70th anniversary (above left). Our 2D animation company created a compact video summarising their seven decades of humanitarian impact. Using character animation, parallax photos, and carefully selected footage, we crafted a piece that communicated their core message while celebrating a significant milestone.
How to Plan Your Nonprofit Video
A successful nonprofit video starts with clear planning. Define your goals and identify precisely who you're trying to reach. Determine what specific outcome you want and ensure it aligns with your broader mission. This clarity guides every production decision that follows.
Choosing the right format matters. Consider where your video will live—Instagram needs different formats than website embeds. Options range from widescreen 16:9 formats for YouTube to square 1:1 formats for mobile viewing.
Elements of Effective Charity Videos
Creating a charity animation that connects requires five key elements:
Clear message: Tight, accessible scripting–ditch the waffle.
Right emotion: Authentic feelings aligned with your mission–no fake tears.
Smart visuals: Animation that enhances your story, not distracts from it.
Direct call-to-action: Tell viewers exactly what to do next, no guesswork.
Sharing-ready: Subtitles and easy embeds are a must.
DIY Nonprofit Explainer Video Production Tips
Working on a tight budget? DIY remains an option worth exploring:
Use affordable tools: Platforms like Canva, Biteable, or Filmora offer decent editing, copyright-free music, and stock footage without breaking the bank.
Tap internal talent: Your team likely has hidden video or social media skills—use them!
For more budget tips, see our guide to Making a Nonprofit Video on a Budget.
Visualising Your Nonprofit Message
Turn abstract concepts into powerful visuals with two key tools:
Mood boards
Visual references that capture your intended style and palette. Learn more in our mood board blog.
Storyboarding
A scene-by-scene roadmap ensuring your narrative flows logically.
Audio for Charity Explainer Videos
The right audio transforms your charity video. Here’s how to nail it: :
Music
Choose tracks that support your tone, not fight it. Learn more in our Music for Nonprofit Vids blog.
Voiceover
Select a voice that matches your charity's character—the right voice artist is worth every penny.
Want more voiceover guidance? Check our practical tips for finding & collaborating with voice talents.
Nonprofit Video Production Process
Creating a nonprofit video follows three simple stages:
Pre-production
Plan your story—script, storyboard, concept development.
Production
Create your visuals and record your audio.
Post-production
Polish everything into a cohesive final product.
For feedback, skip the fancy platforms. Simple email works perfectly, or try Zoom/Teams if things need more discussion. Want the best feedback? Get everyone in a room when possible.
Promoting Your Charity Animation
Creating a brilliant video is half the battle—here's how to get it seen:
Social channels: Share everywhere and ask supporters to amplify. Need inspiration? Check out charities that nail social media on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Partner with allies: Team up with aligned organisations to amplify your reach.
Targeted ads: Consider focused promotions to reach specific demographics.
SEO basics: Use smart keywords in titles and descriptions to be more discoverable.
Measuring the Success of Your Nonprofit Video
Measuring your nonprofit video's impact helps refine future strategies:
Track engagement: Monitor views, shares, and comments.
Count conversions: Watch how effectively your video drives real actions.
Gather feedback: Collect insights that numbers miss. To understand more deeply how to track results effectively, visit our guide on measuring the success of your charity video.
Refine approach: Use what you learn to make each new video better.
Creating Videos That Actually Work
Creating effective charity explainer videos combines clear messaging, authentic emotion, compelling visuals, and strong calls to action. Whether working with a professional animation studio or taking the DIY route, the key remains simple: communicate clearly enough that people listen, care and act.
At Leon! Animation Studio, we specialise in creating 2D animated explainer videos for charities, nonprofits, and healthcare organisations that simplify complex messages and get results. Our team has helped organisations like UN Migration and the NHS cut through complexity without the fluff.
We're not in the business of making videos that just look pretty—we make videos that work. Videos that get watched, shared, and (most importantly) prompt action. Because in our book, that's the only kind worth making.
