This fundraising video case study highlights a project we completed last year for the Sacramento Zoo—one we are especially proud of.
From the very beginning, we knew this project could not just be about presenting information or asking for support. The most effective fundraising campaign videos give audiences a reason to care first—before they are ever asked to give.
During pre-production, we worked closely with the Sacramento Zoo team to shape two storylines centered around two of their orangutans, Indah and Makan. Public information from the zoo identifies them as Sumatran orangutans, a critically endangered species, and reflects the zoo’s broader mission as a nonprofit focused on animal care, education, and conservation.
Rather than treating the animals as background elements, we approached this as a nonprofit video production rooted in storytelling—one where the audience could feel like they were meeting individuals with presence, personality, and emotional depth. That became the heart of the entire fundraising video.
Starting With Story, Not Just Coverage
In our early conversations with the zoo, we developed two distinct narrative directions. Each was designed to feel personal, warm, and engaging—while still supporting the larger goal of fundraising.
The goal was simple: create connection.
When people respond to a fundraising video, they are rarely reacting to facts alone. They respond to emotion, memory, empathy, and a sense of relationship. That insight guided how we shaped the story.
Instead of presenting the zoo only as an institution, we shaped the story through the lives of Indah and Makan.
This allowed the video to feel more like a story-driven nonprofit film rather than a traditional promotional piece.
The result was a more natural rhythm—something that felt like an invitation into the world the zoo protects every day.
Why Indah and Makan
What made these two orangutans so compelling was not only their visual presence, but how they came across on screen.
According to Sacramento Zoo’s public information, Indah was gradually introduced into the orangutan group, where Makan showed curiosity and calm behavior during early interactions. Moments like these may seem small, but they are essential in story-driven video production.
They give context to:
- a glance
- a pause
- a quiet interaction
For us, those details helped transform the project from a general zoo video into a focused fundraising storytelling piece. Indah and Makan became the central figures of the film—not just subjects, but meaningful characters in the story.
Makan’s Story: Care, Health, and Connection
Makan’s story added a powerful layer to this campaign.
Living with a rare condition known as Orangutan Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ORDS), Makan requires lifelong care, regular monitoring, and specialized training. His story reflects the level of commitment involved in animal care and highlights the real impact of donor support.
In nonprofit video production, stories like this are essential. They make the mission tangible and help audiences understand exactly where their support goes.
Indah and Nangka: A Story of Growth and Support
Indah’s story introduces another layer to the story.
Following the birth of her baby, Nangka, challenges with maternal care led to a collaborative conservation effort involving multiple teams.
This story highlights:
- the complexity of wildlife care
- the collaboration behind conservation
- the importance of long-term support
Moments like these are what make nonprofit storytelling so impactful—they show not just outcomes, but the process behind them.
Building Warmth Into a Fundraising Video
A successful fundraising video needs to do two things at once: inspire trust and create real connection
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That balance shaped every creative decision we made.
We wanted:
- warmth, but not sentimentality
- beauty, but not distance
- authenticity over perfection
Most importantly, we wanted viewers to feel that their support would contribute to something real—daily care, long-term commitment, and a meaningful relationship between the zoo and its community.
The Sacramento Zoo emphasizes that donations directly support animal care, education, and conservation. Our role was to translate that message into a visual storytelling experience.
Collaboration in Pre-Production
What made this project especially meaningful was the collaboration behind it.
Before production began, we worked closely with the Sacramento Zoo team to align on:
- message
- tone
- narrative structure
This stage is critical in any video production for fundraising events, because the foundation of the story is built long before filming begins.
By the time we started shooting, the story was already clear. It was not just about capturing visuals—it was about capturing perspective:
- what moments to emphasize
- what to hold on
- how to let the story unfold naturally
More Than a Video
This project reinforced why nonprofit fundraising videos matter.
A zoo is not just a place people visit—it is an institution built on care, education, and conservation. A well-crafted fundraising campaign video helps bridge the gap between awareness and action.
That was our goal with this project.
By building the story around Indah and Makan, we created a piece that was:
- grounded in real moments
- visually gentle
- aligned with the zoo’s mission
We wanted viewers to leave not just remembering the visuals, but understanding why the work matters.
Because at its best, a fundraising video does not just explain a cause.
It makes people care enough to become part of it.
Looking for a Fundraising Video Production Company?
At 175 Productions, we specialize in:
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nonprofit storytelling
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event video production
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corporate and brand video content
If you are planning a campaign or need a video production for fundraising events, we would love to help you tell your story in a way that truly connects.