Video Production for Nonprofits: What to Ask Before You Hire a Filmmaker

Our Strategic Discovery Process for Nonprofit Video Production

If you are exploring video production for your nonprofit, you are likely trying to solve something bigger than just creating content. You may be looking to increase donor engagement, better communicate your mission, or create a stronger connection with your audience. The challenge is not just finding a filmmaker. It is finding the right partner who understands how to translate your work into a meaningful story.

While these questions are often framed as things nonprofits should ask before hiring a filmmaker, in reality, a strong video production partner should be guiding you through them. At VGM Visual Storytelling, this discovery process is where every successful project begins. We lead our clients through a series of strategic conversations to define the right type of video based on their goals.

Our work with First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City is a great example of how this process shapes the outcome of a project.

Defining the Purpose of the Video

One of the first things we do when working with nonprofits is guide them through the purpose of the video. Many organizations know they need content, but they are not always sure what that content should accomplish.

In our work with First Americans Museum, we helped define that the need was not just for a general video, but for a series of welcome videos designed to be played during events and corporate rentals. These videos needed to introduce guests to the museum’s mission and cultural significance within a short amount of time.

Once the purpose is clear, every creative decision becomes more intentional.

Understanding the Audience

Nonprofits often serve multiple audiences, including donors, community members, corporate partners, and visitors. Each group engages with content differently.

We guide our clients through identifying who the primary audience is for each video. For this project, the audience included event attendees and corporate guests who may not have been familiar with the museum. The content needed to be accessible, engaging, and easy to understand without prior context.

By clearly defining the audience, we are able to shape the tone, pacing, and messaging of the video.

Identifying Where the Video Will Be Used

A key part of our process is understanding where the video will live. Will it be shown at events, used on social media, featured on a website, or all of the above.

For First Americans Museum, the videos needed to work across multiple environments. They were designed to play during events and corporate rentals, but also needed to be flexible enough for digital use. This required a strategic approach to editing, pacing, and visuals so the videos would remain effective in different formats.

Creating content with versatility in mind ensures long term value for nonprofit organizations.

Shaping the Story with Intention

For nonprofits and museums, storytelling requires care and thoughtfulness. These are not just marketing videos. They represent real communities, histories, and missions.

As part of our process, we work closely with our clients to shape a narrative that feels authentic and aligned with their values. In this project, we focused on creating a story that was clear, respectful, and engaging. The goal was to allow the visuals and messaging to create a natural connection with the audience without overwhelming them.

Strong storytelling is not just about what you say. It is about how it is experienced.

Defining What Success Looks Like

Success in nonprofit video production goes beyond views. It is about impact.

We work with our clients to define what success looks like from the beginning. For First Americans Museum, success meant that visitors and event guests could walk away with a clear understanding of the museum’s mission and feel a sense of connection to the space.

By aligning on success early, we ensure the final video serves a meaningful purpose for the organization.

A Strategic Approach to Video Production for Nonprofits

he right video does more than tell your story. It supports your mission.

Through our work with First Americans Museum, we created a series of welcome videos that continue to serve as a powerful introduction to the museum’s purpose, culture, and offerings. These videos help educate audiences, strengthen engagement, and enhance the overall visitor experience.

For nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions, investing in professional video production is about creating content that works across multiple touchpoints, from events to fundraising to digital outreach.

Ready to Tell Your Story

f you are considering video production for your nonprofit, the most important step is working with a team that can guide you through the process.

At VGM Visual Storytelling, we lead our clients through a strategic approach to storytelling that ensures every video is created with intention. Whether you need a welcome video, a brand story, or a documentary style piece, we help you create content that connects with your audience and supports your mission.

Set your story in motion with video production that inspires, educates, and drives real impact.