Can Short Videos Help Your Nonprofit Tell Better Stories?

Telling stories is at the heart of every nonprofit. People will donate more to causes where stories touch them. These stories need to be real, short, and personal. 

That’s where TikTok-style videos made by your community come in. Just sharing the voices of staff, volunteers, and people you serve can create a storytelling system that’s easy, effective, and low-cost. 

Short videos for storytelling

Why Short-Form UGC Works for Nonprofits 

• Authenticity Over Perfection 

People trust “real” voices more than slick marketing. A 20-second video from a volunteer explaining why they care often resonates more than a highly-produced film. 

• Algorithms Love It 

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts push short-form video to new audiences, even if you don’t have thousands of followers. 

• Low Cost, High Reach 

A smartphone and a story are enough. No studio, no big budget, just people who care. 

• Engagement Multiplier 

Viewers are more likely to comment, share, or create their own content when they see real people telling real stories. 

How to Build a Short Form Storytelling Engine 

Collect Everyday Moments 

Ask your staff, volunteers, and even beneficiaries (with permission) to record quick clips. Examples: 

• “Why I volunteer here in one sentence.” 

• “The best part of today’s program.” 

• “One word to describe how this nonprofit helped me.” 

Create Simple Formats

You don’t need a new idea for every post. Stick to formats that repeat easily: 

• Before and After (a classroom before supplies arrive vs. after distribution) 

• One Minute Impact Story (staff member shares one success story) 

• Day in the Life (volunteer or beneficiary perspective) 

Get Your Community Involved 

Make it easy for supporters to share their own content: 

• Create a hashtag for your nonprofit. 

• Invite donors or volunteers to record a 10-second “Why I Give” clip. 

• Feature user clips in your main feed to show community voice. 

Batch and Reuse Content 

• Collect clips weekly and edit them into multiple versions. 

• One short video can live on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn. 

Repurpose videos into blog embeds, email campaigns, or even event intros. 

Track and Optimize these short videos

Look at which clips get the most views, comments, and shares. Double down on those formats. 

Real-World Inspiration 

Feeding America ; Charity: Water; The Trevor Project- 

Storytelling examples

Lessons Learned: 

• Short, genuine clips outperform over-produced videos. 

• Featuring real people builds trust and encourages participation. 

• Consistency is more effective than chasing viral moments. 

Key Takeaway 

Nonprofits don’t need massive budgets to tell big stories. By using TikTok-style user-generated content, you can turn everyday voices into a storytelling engine that runs on authenticity, scales with community participation, and reaches audiences you never thought possible. 

If you want help building this storytelling engine, reach out to The CLASS Consulting Group, we’re here to guide you.