Volunteers of America: A Nonprofit Video Content Case Study

When it comes to nonprofit storytelling, getting maximum bang for your buck is top priority. But while nonprofits generally have strict budgets, they’ve also got another common characteristic: an almost endless supply of enthusiasm. When Volunteers of America (VOA) contacted Cinebody, it harnessed both – and produced something incredible in the process.

“The whole process was just such fun,” said Nicole Toombs, Director of Marketing and Communications at Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana. “By using smartphones for filming, we were able to create a video that captures how supporting VOA Thrift gives back to people in need right here in our own communities.”

The goal of VOA Ohio and Indiana was clear from the start. They wanted to use video to show how the cycle of thrift – and the revenue generated from those donations – supports programs that help all people reach their full potential and thrive. That meant covering everything from the donation of previously loved treasures to those items being purchased in VOA Thrift stores. Funds generated from the sale of these items are then put back into the communities to help rebuild the lives of veterans, individuals, and families who have lost hope and are struggling.

VOA does incredible work across the nation, helping 1.5 million vulnerable people every year, so this project had amazing potential. Here’s how it went down:

First, the VOA team got their heads together to come up with both an outline and structure for the video. Then their Cinebody Strategic Producer translated the outline into an easy-to-follow shot list that honed in on the VOA vision.

Next, VOA’s key filmers were onboarded to the Cinebody project & provided with select tips & best practices for filming.

Once that was done, the filmers were good to go. Armed with nothing more than a smartphone, a shot list, and a can-do attitude, they set about working with their on-camera volunteers to capture all the key shots from multiple angles.

The last step was the edit. Because the shots had all been captured in Cinebody, they were automatically uploaded to the cloud. That meant that the remote editing team could quickly download the footage and piece it all together with pre-approved graphics and music.

And the final result? Check out this awesome, professional-looking, and authentic video. It’s incredible to think it was shot entirely by VOA staff without a film crew in sight.

The video is being used in stores, online, and on social media. It will also be used to promote store openings in new markets throughout central and northeast Ohio.

So just like other non-profits as Arbor Day Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society before them, VOA Ohio and Indiana had successfully used video to amplify its message.

“Our team came together, took on a new challenge and, thanks to how easy it was to work with Cinebody, produced something very special that will help VOA for years to come,” said Nicole Toombs. “The final video turned out better than we imagined, and the process was fun and easy!”