5 Best Practices for Creating Ethical Nonprofit Storytelling Videos
Stories are one of the most powerful tools nonprofits have for building awareness, inspiring support, and demonstrating impact. But when those stories involve real people sharing vulnerable parts of their lives, it's important to approach the process with care.
The goal of nonprofit storytelling should never be to simply create compelling content. It should be to honor the dignity of the people whose experiences are being shared while creating something that serves both the participant and the organization.
If a person participating in your program is going to share part of their story on camera, we want to do our best to ensure that this is something that's truly good for them and their journey.
After years of working in the nonprofit world, I've compiled five best practices for creating ethical nonprofit storytelling videos.
1. Don't Pressure Participants
Sharing a personal story can be an emotional experience. Participation should always be voluntary, and individuals should feel completely comfortable declining.
No one should feel that access to services, opportunities, or relationships within the organization depends on their willingness to be interviewed. The decision to participate should be theirs alone.
2. Get Informed Consent
Participants should understand exactly how their story will be used before agreeing to be filmed.
This includes where the video may appear, how long it may be used, whether it could be shared publicly online, and who may see it. Consent is most meaningful when people fully understand what they're agreeing to.
A signed release form is important, but a thoughtful conversation is often just as valuable.
3. Allow Space for Honesty
The strongest stories are usually the most authentic ones.
Rather than asking questions that lead participants toward a predetermined answer, create space for genuine reflection and honest responses. Open-ended questions often reveal insights that are far more meaningful than anything that could be scripted.
People should feel free to share their experiences in their own words, even if those experiences are complex or imperfect.
4. Offer Anonymity When Appropriate
Not every participant will feel comfortable attaching their name or face to a story, especially when discussing sensitive topics.
If participants choose to reveal their identity, they should understand the potential long-term implications of sharing their story publicly. Content published online may remain accessible for years to come.
Special care should always be taken when filming children. A parent or legal guardian should provide written or recorded verbal consent before a child's identity is shared publicly.
5. Involve Participants in the Editing Process
Whenever possible, participants should have the opportunity to review the final film and provide feedback before it is released.
This doesn't mean every edit needs to be negotiated, but allowing participants to ensure their story has been represented accurately can build trust and help avoid unintended harm.
The people sharing their experiences should feel respected throughout the entire process—not just during filming.
Interested in telling your nonprofit’s story?
