Big Brothers Big Sisters recently found itself in the spotlight for a powerful reason—winning *Most Outstanding Video of the Year* at the Deucey Awards. This exciting milestone highlights more than just a compelling video; it celebrates the heart of a community-driven mission and the people behind it. Executive Director **Megyn Forrest** and her team brought their story to life with authenticity, passion, and purpose—and UnoDeuce Multimedia was proud to help bring that story to the screen.

For Megyn, this wasn’t just a typical recognition. “It’s so exciting,” she said. “My team, my board—we’re all thrilled, and we’ve been shouting it from the rooftops.” That enthusiasm comes from knowing that this moment honors years of hard work and the deep relationships built through mentorship.

The video itself showcased not only the incredible impact of the “Bigs” and “Littles” but also lifted up the staff and community who make these connections possible. “What was really special is we were not only celebrating and highlighting our program and mentorship,” Megyn shared, “but also our team and staff—people who fully believe in our mission.”

This marked Big Brothers Big Sisters’ first collaboration with UnoDeuce, and the process was one of openness and trust. Megyn and her team invited the video crew to everything—events, interviews, daily interactions—creating an environment where authentic moments could unfold naturally. “The process was wonderful,” she said. “We loved working with you and your team.”

And the results speak for themselves. The video became a central piece of the organization’s *Big Breakfast*—their largest annual fundraiser—helping the community feel the impact of mentorship firsthand. “That’s where it made the most impact,” Megyn explained. “Hearing directly from the Bigs, Littles, and families—it brings the mission to life.”

When the nomination came, it was a surprise—but a welcome one. Megyn and her team quickly went to work rallying community support and using the spotlight to lift up not just their agency, but fellow nominees as well. “We saw it as an opportunity to celebrate all of us.”

Winning the Deucey Award was the cherry on top of an already meaningful experience. While the trophy is still on its way, the pride and excitement are already felt throughout the organization. And this win? It’s just the beginning.

Looking ahead, Big Brothers Big Sisters is more energized than ever. Megyn encourages the community to keep following their journey and get involved—whether by becoming a mentor, donating, attending events, or simply sharing the story.

Their message is clear: storytelling has power. And when done with heart, it can inspire an entire community to rally behind a mission. Here’s to big wins, big hearts, and the incredible work still to come.

In an era where funding challenges and post-pandemic recovery continue to test nonprofit organizations, one medium has emerged as particularly powerful for conveying mission and impact: video storytelling. Drawing from insights shared in a recent presentation to nonprofit leaders, the key to effective organizational communication lies not just in having a compelling story, but in showing that story through authentic visual narratives.

## The Funding Reality and the Story Solution

Today’s nonprofits face an increasingly competitive landscape for donor attention and foundation support. Federal funding cuts, combined with lingering effects from the pandemic, have made individual donors, corporate sponsors, and private foundations more crucial than ever. Organizations that have survived these challenges have done so because their stories are strong and their core values remain clear. Video provides the perfect medium to demonstrate this resilience and communicate these values effectively.

As one landscape services professional from MSU recently noted, “We can throw stats, we can throw pictures, but what we can’t do as an organization is really tell our story through video.” This shift in perspective—from trying to prove worth to having others seek help in demonstrating value—signals a fundamental change in how organizations approach their communications strategy.

## Collaboration as a Storytelling Strategy

One of the most effective approaches to nonprofit video storytelling involves showcasing collaborative efforts. When organizations partner with each other, they create opportunities to reach multiple audiences while demonstrating community impact. For example, Catholic Charities’ collaboration with the Greater Lansing Food Bank during the pandemic created a powerful narrative that benefited both organizations while serving their shared community.

These collaborative stories work because they show real solutions to real problems. They demonstrate how organizations can leverage their unique strengths—one partner’s kitchen facilities, another’s food distribution network—to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

## Making Clients the Heroes

Perhaps the most important shift in nonprofit storytelling involves repositioning who serves as the story’s hero. Rather than making the organization the central character, effective video narratives position clients, volunteers, or community members as the heroes of their own transformation stories. The organization becomes the guide—like Yoda in Star Wars—providing tools and support while the individual takes center stage.

This approach humanizes the organization’s impact in a way that statistics cannot. When a Habitat for Humanity participant shares their journey from cramped living conditions to homeownership, complete with their children’s excited reactions, viewers see tangible change happening in real time. These stories resonate because they show people overcoming challenges with the organization’s support.

## Authentic Representation Matters

In today’s diverse communities, authentic representation in video storytelling isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for credibility. Organizations serve people who may not look like their staff, and this diversity should be reflected naturally in their visual narratives. Rather than viewing this as a checkbox exercise, successful nonprofits recognize that their authentic community connections are part of their story’s strength.

The most effective nonprofit videos capture real moments with real people, avoiding artificial recreations or stock footage that can undermine authenticity. Younger donors, in particular, can quickly identify inauthentic content, making genuine storytelling crucial for long-term sustainability.

## The Path Forward

The fundamental principle remains simple: show, don’t tell. In a visual medium, demonstration trumps description every time. Whether capturing spontaneous volunteer moments on social media or producing comprehensive mission videos for websites, the goal is always to let the story speak through the people who live it daily.

Nonprofits that master this approach don’t just communicate their impact—they create compelling reasons for continued support and community engagement.