‘Building the Future’ video for a nonprofit organization’s gala.

Project Overview:
The goal of the gala video, ‘Building the Future,’ was to showcase the transformative impact of After School Matters on Chicago’s youth, using powerful storytelling to drive donations at the gala and beyond. The video was also leveraged in post-event emails and across social media to extend its reach.

My Role:
I played a key role in shaping the narrative, from helping to conceptualize the theme to coordinating with the vendor and managing the logistics of the interviews. My responsibilities included selecting interviewees, preparing them for filming, and being the point of contact during production. I reviewed the script and provided feedback, ensuring the story aligned with the organization’s mission and the emotional tone of the event. I worked closely with the vendor to manage the tight deadlines and ensure the final product was impactful.

Challenges:
We faced challenges, including a tight timeline, coordinating multiple interviews, and overcoming initial setbacks that required reshaping the story. Managing these moving parts and working closely with external vendors was essential to delivering a cohesive and compelling video on time.

Results:
The video was an emotional highlight of the gala, contributing to the event’s success in raising over $4 million. It continued to resonate with donors and staff, and was reused in social media and email campaigns for months afterward. The video received widespread praise for its storytelling and emotional depth, becoming a critical tool in ongoing fundraising efforts.