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— Case Study —

Video Storytelling Drives 242% Growth in Fundraising:

A Decade-Long Partnership with the
Aim Higher Foundation
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In 2011, the startup Aim Higher Foundation developed an ambitious mission: to provide Catholic school scholarships to underserved families in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The foundation needed to build awareness and generate substantial donations to fulfill this mission, starting from ground zero with no established fundraising events or donor base.

The Solution

Working in partnership with the Aim Higher Foundation, we developed a long-term video storytelling partnership focused on authentic, emotional narratives that would resonate with potential donors.

Our Approach Included:

  • Annual production of high-impact videos showcasing individual family stories

  • Careful balance of emotional appeal while maintaining family dignity

  • Strategic deployment of videos across multiple channels (galas, website, private donor meetings)

  • Consistent 6-8 week production timeline to ensure optimal quality

  • Focus on demonstrating Catholic education as a transformative "hand up, not a hand out"

aim higher foundation case study
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The Results

Over a 10-year partnership (2014-2024), our video storytelling partnership has helped drive remarkable organizational growth:

Fundraising Growth

  • Annual gala revenue increased from $475,000 (2014) to $1.15 million (2024)

  • Total organizational budget grew from $475,000 to $3.3 million annually

Key Success Factors

The "give moment" videos have become a signature element of Aim Higher's fundraising event. According to their President, these videos are "undoubtedly the key feature" that keeps donors returning year after year. The success stems from:

  • Precise emotional calibration in storytelling

  • Maintaining the dignity of featured families

  • Creating compelling calls to action that inspire increased donor investment

Impact Metrics

  • Scholarship awards increased from 400 to 2,550 annually

  • Gala attendance grew from 400 to nearly 700 guests

  • Projected growth to 2,880 scholarships for the upcoming year

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girls in class
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children learning
"The video story we tell at each gala is undoubtedly the key feature: the 'give moment' keeps people coming back! It's a careful balance between finding the right emotion in a story, respecting the dignity of the family we feature, and inviting our guests to get more invested. StoryTeller's superpower is finding just the right amount of each element in all of that. It's why we keep coming back and are always willing to give a recommendation to others."

- Ricky Austin, President of the Aim Higher Foundation

Long-Term Partnership Impact

Over our decade-long partnership, we have produced 11 videos that have played a crucial role in the Aim Higher Foundation's annual fundraising events. While other factors like staff additions (2017) and pre-event initiatives (2022) have contributed to their success, the consistent quality and impact of the annual videos have provided a cornerstone for their fundraising events.

Despite operating without a dedicated marketing budget due to their commitment to maximizing scholarship distribution, the Aim Higher Foundation continues to prioritize their annual video production as a critical investment in their successful fundraising events.

Their positive experience with these annual videos has also led them to refer at least five other organizations looking to tell their stories through video. We are grateful for this continued partnership.

Looking Forward

As the Aim Higher Foundation continues to grow, their commitment to expanding their scholarship program remains unwavering. With projected increases in scholarship numbers and a potential future marketing budget expansion, the partnership is positioned for continued success in telling compelling stories that drive meaningful community impact.

Photos courtesy of the Aim Higher Foundation.

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Kathy Heil, Partner
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