Image Film
Promotional Video for Foundations, Organizations, and NGOs
Promotional Video for Foundations, Associations, and NGOs
Anyone who donates, becomes a member, or supports a project wants to see what you stand for first. A promotional video showcases your work through the people who make it happen: with dignity, authenticity, and without sensationalizing suffering. We’ve already produced such videos for DKMS, the German Federal Association of Consumer Organizations, and the Lufthansa Help Alliance.
- Client references from the sector: DKMS, Federation of German Consumer Organizations, Lufthansa Help Alliance
- Consent, protection of data subjects, and captions were planned from the very beginning
- Proposals with clear positions that you can document to funding agencies and contracting authorities
Organizations and companies that trust us
Basics
What a promotional video for nonprofit organizations must achieve
A company uses its film to sell a product. You aren't selling anything. You are asking for trust: for a donation, a membership, a grant, or volunteer work. Your film must therefore answer a different question: not what you are offering, but what impact you have, and on whom.
The answer comes from the people you work with. For DKMS, we spent eight years profiling people who depended on a stem cell donation or who made one possible. For the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations, five employees explain in their own words why they fight for consumer rights. For the Lufthansa Help Alliance, we produced a documentary featuring a choir of 15 children.
Promotional videos, fundraising videos, and explanatory videos are three different types of videos. Many organizations need all three. We plan them as a single shoot so you don't have to pay three times. You can read about how we develop promotional videos on the page about Corporate Film Production.
Case Study · DKMS
A film that says "thank you" instead of sensationalizing the illness.
For eight years, DKMS films focused on the struggles of those affected. With this film, we’ve shifted our perspective to the partner, friends, and parents who provide support over the years. A portrait of support, filmed in Hamburg, without sensationalism.
- Promotional video, 4:10 minutes, commissioned directly by DKMS, without an agency
- Concept and a change in perspective, interviews with Lars, his partner, and two friends
- Can be used on social media, at events, and in donor communications
- A tissue-typing drive in which over a thousand people signed up
A film about stability can only be made when there is trust on set.
Christian Martin Schäfer · Founder & Director · ROCC FilmSpecifically
From fundraising appeals to general membership meetings: where your film comes into play
A good video for a nonprofit organization is rarely used in just one place. It appears on the homepage and in fundraising campaigns, as an attachment to grant applications and in impact reports, at member meetings, and when thanking donors. It’s included as a QR code in the printed annual report. In short, portrait-oriented versions, it attracts new members and volunteers on LinkedIn and Instagram.
That's why we plan the versions before we start filming. For the Federation of German Consumer Organizations, we produced several videos over two days of filming for different purposes, in German and English, as well as short versions for social media. If you're looking for skilled workers for your facilities, here's a video from the same shoot: Recruitment Video for the Public Sector.
Let's talk about your plans.
Whether it's a fundraising campaign, an anniversary, or a grant application: You'll receive an honest assessment of which film will truly help you, along with a proposal you can use both internally and when presenting to funding organizations.
Posture
Telling Stories with Dignity: Consent, Protection, and Truth
Those who film for nonprofit organizations often tell stories of illness, displacement, poverty, or addiction. The people in front of the camera are not subjects; they are the main characters. We film with them, not about them: no staged tears, no images of misery, no stereotypes. Reenacted scenes remain clearly identifiable as such. The DZI and VENRO guidelines on ethics in fundraising videos serve as a good benchmark for this.
Every identifiable person must provide prior written, informed, and revocable consent; in the case of minors, their legal guardians must provide consent. Anyone who does not wish to be recognizable will not be shown. Anyone who shares their story will see the film before it is released. And what the film says about the use of funds and the impact of the program must be consistent with the annual report.
Case Study · DKMS
A story that turns people into donors.
Mathilda was a baby when she received her diagnosis. The film tells the story of what happened next: a family that organizes a donor drive with DKMS, a village that signs up to be registered, and the phone call that changes everything.
- Promotional video, 4:16 minutes, two days of filming in November 2018
- It tells the whole story: parents, the neighborhood, and the donor himself
- A number that makes an impact: Thanks to this campaign, 34 more families are waiting for a call.
Budget and Contracting
Budget, Funding, and Accessibility: What You Should Know Beforehand
Nonprofit organizations must justify every euro they spend. A film is a worthwhile investment if it serves multiple purposes over the long term: a main film that can be adapted for use in the annual report, social media, and grant applications. Our promotional videos start at 8,000 euros net for one day of filming, including concept development, editing, color correction, and music. The factors that affect the price are listed on the page How much does a promotional video cost?.
If the film is funded by public project grants, the additional provisions in your grant award notice apply: competitive bids for contracts above a certain amount, transparent documentation, and sometimes a formal procedure. The film for the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations was produced through a public procurement process. You’ll receive a quote with clearly itemized line items. Subtitles are standard for us; we’ll include audio description, plain language, or sign language in our planning if you need them. For organizations that work directly for government agencies: Brand film for authorities and the public sector.
How your film comes together
Three Steps from the Initial Consultation to Final Acceptance
- 01Step
Initial Consultation, Concept, Consents
You tell us what you want the film to achieve: donations, members, grants, or volunteer participation. We develop the story and the scripts, speak with everyone who will be in front of the camera in advance, and secure their consent.
- 02Step
Shoot with a small crew
One to three days of filming at the location where your work takes place. A small crew, plenty of time for the people, no questions asked in advance—just conversations.
- 03Step
Editing, Dubbing, Subtitles, Approval
The main film, social media versions, and subtitles are all created from a single cut. The protagonists watch the film before it's released, and you approve it.
References
More promotional videos from our portfolio
Kick-off call
Talk directly to the director.
★★★★★
5.0 on Google, 59 reviews
Christian Martin Schäfer is the CEO and director of ROCC Film. With us, you’ll be speaking directly with him from the very first call—not with a sales representative. Fifteen minutes are all it takes for an honest assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Foundations, Associations, and NGOs Ask Us Before Filming
At ROCC Film, promotional videos start at 8,000 euros net: one day of filming, plus concept development, editing, color correction, and music. Projects involving two to three days of filming with multiple scenes and interviews are priced higher. We clearly outline the factors that affect the price on our website. How much does a promotional video cost?. There are no discounts for nonprofit organizations, but we do offer a service with no hidden fees and products that last for years.
Often, yes—as a line item for public relations in the project budget, if the grant award letter allows it. In that case, your funding agency’s supplementary provisions apply—for example, requirements for competitive bids or a formal procurement process for contracts above a certain amount. We’ll provide you with a quote that includes clear, itemized line items, which you can compare and document.
With time and with rules. Every recognizable person gives written, informed, and revocable consent in advance; for minors, their legal guardians do so. No one is asked questions in advance—we have conversations. Anyone who doesn’t want to be recognizable won’t be. And anyone who shares their story gets to see the film before it’s released.
The seal evaluates your organization, not the film. However, its guidelines require advertising that is truthful, factual, and transparent, and that respects the dignity of those affected. That is exactly how we produce our content: without sensationalistic imagery, without pressure, with clearly identified reenactments, and with figures that stand up to scrutiny in the annual report.
Public agencies are subject to the BITV, and many funding agencies require accessible versions. Regardless, we always recommend subtitles because a large portion of the audience watches without sound. Subtitles are standard for us. We’ll include audio description, plain language, or sign language if you need them.
Typically four to six weeks: one to two weeks for concept development and pre-production, one to three days of filming, and two to four weeks for editing and revision cycles. If the film is part of a campaign or an anniversary celebration, we plan backward from the deadline.
The promotional video showcases your values and your work and remains relevant for years to come. The fundraising video calls for a specific donation, is part of a campaign, and is shorter. Many organizations need both. We shoot them in a single session and edit them into two separate videos.
Yes, and you should. You’ll receive unlimited online usage rights, including the main feature in 16:9 and short versions in 9:16 and 1:1. We’ll specify which versions you need in the concept so they can all be produced from the same footage.