As 2024 comes to a close, we’re showcasing six standout nonprofit videos spanning policy, charity, education, healthcare, and NGOs. These videos tackle topics like migration crises, loneliness, and stress with creativity and impact. Let’s dive in!

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BEST POLICY VIDEO

Saving Lives Explainer Video

Diving into our first nonprofit video highlight of the month, and guess what? It’s one of our own masterpieces at Leon! Animation Studio! The “Secretary-General’s 2024 GCM Implementation Report – Saving Lives Recommendations” (or “Saving Migrants’ Lives”) created for the United Nations Network on Migration, starts with an alarming statistic: almost 70,000 migrants have vanished or lost their lives since 2014—and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Illustration of a woman grieving, with rescue team and ambulance near a water body.

This explainer animation uses vector characters against a backdrop that shifts from dark, sombre tones to bright, hopeful colours, with music evolving to match the mood.

Diverse group of people showing distress, symbolizing societal impact.

And then there’s Josef Israel, someone we’ve worked with on numerous charity videos over the years, whose serious West African accent carries the narrative: “The clock is ticking, we must save lives now,”.

Diverse group of people walking past a large lightbulb puzzle, symbolizing collaborative solutions.

Jennifer Kanari, an award-winning Kenyan voiceover artist, commented: “Great job with the video! The awesome voice of Josef Israel carries the message of these efforts home perfectly.” This animated explainer serves as a powerful reminder that every statistic represents a human story.

Hourglass with people inside, conveying urgency and the passing of time.

BEST CHARITY VIDEO

Feeling Lonely? Explainer Animation

Ready for a touch of warmth? Age UK’s “Feeling Lonely?” uses soft, hand-drawn animation to explore elder loneliness with empathy. Through everyday moments and a reassuring voiceover, this charity video encourages the elderly to seek community support.

Elderly person sitting on a bench with a bird, symbolizing quiet contemplation.

The video uses a hand-drawn style with soft, sketchy lines and muted hues—like flipping through a watercolour storybook. This minimalist approach shifts the spotlight firmly onto the emotions, capturing every subtle gesture and sigh, pulling you into the quiet world of the story without overwhelming your senses.

Illustration of thought bubbles containing a book, a stethoscope, and hands shaking.

Age UK crafted this piece to acknowledge that, yes, loneliness is real and can sneak up on anyone, especially older adults facing life changes like retirement or the loss of a partner.

Elderly person looking out a window, evoking a sense of contemplation and solitude.

By spotlighting relatable everyday moments—like an empty chair or a quiet kitchen—this explainer and charity video normalises these feelings and encourages viewers to seek community support.

Two elderly people sitting on a bench, engaged in conversation, overlooking a peaceful scene.

The voiceover is a reassuring presence that speaks to listeners the way a good friend would. No lofty speeches, just genuine concern and practical advice. This honest approach underscores the real mission here: to show that reaching out for help can be an everyday conversation, not a daunting ordeal.

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BEST EDUCATION VIDEO

How to Make Stress Work for You Explainer Animation

Let’s face it, stress is an unwelcome guest at the best of times. But lucky for us, TED-Ed’s animated explainer video takes that jittery feeling and breaks it down into something not just manageable, but useful.

Animated scene of diverse people reacting to a spill at a casual social gathering.

The characters show detailed expressions and carefully considered design elements that go beyond simple shapes on a beige background. Director Biljana Labović, along with Storyboard Artist Wing Luo and Animators Gaurav Dhaimodkar and Arvind Singh Jeena, have created a world that balances stylised simplicity with enough detail to keep you visually engaged.

Person sitting at a desk, head in hands, overwhelmed by studying or work.

Scriptwriter Shannon Odell introduces viewers to the HPA axis (yep, that’s the hormone hub fueling your fight-or-flight response) without the usual lecture-hall snoozefest. Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott delivers just the right amount of gravitas, explaining how a little stress can sharpen your focus—great news for anyone eyeing a looming deadline. It’s factual, accessible, and surprisingly reassuring. One viewer summed it up best with: “Perfect timing—I was just stressing about not being stressed enough for my test!”

Diverse group of people engaging in activities at an outdoor basketball court, promoting fitness and interaction.

So if you’re looking for a quick crash course on making cortisol your new best friend, this is it. Chalk up another win for TED-Ed—and hats off to the entire animation production team behind this engaging (and yes, occasionally stress-relieving) video which currently has 350,000 views.

BEST HEALTHCARE VIDEO

How Stress Affects Your Body Explainer Video

Mayo Clinic Minute: How stress affects your body

Hot on the heels of our educational deep dive into stress (thanks, TED-Ed!), here’s another must-see on the same topic—this time straight from the renowned Mayo Clinic. If TED-Ed’s explainer video was a quick lesson on stress biology, Mayo Clinic’s version is like an appointment with your family doctor, complete with a reassuringly authoritative tone and practical solutions.

Detailed illustration of human heart and lungs, showcasing circulatory and respiratory anatomy.

Unlike the purely animated approach in our “Best Education Video,” this piece smartly blends live-action footage with animation production. You see the genuine emotional toll stress can have on someone in real life, then jump into animated visuals that map out exactly what’s happening inside your heart, lungs, and brain.

Colourful representation of brain connectivity and neural pathways in a vibrant, dynamic 3D model.

Guiding us through this mini stress workshop is Dr. Summer Allen, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician. Her explanations feel direct yet friendly—no complicated jargon here—while the voiceover keeps the narration smooth and professional. If you’ve ever wondered why your pulse races or why your blood pressure skyrockets when deadlines loom, this education video delivers the goods with solid medical authority.

Man sitting on the floor, lost in thought, in a dimly lit kitchen.

Mayo Clinic’s explainer video turns the spotlight on stress from a purely health-focused perspective, reminding us that while stress can sometimes help us push through challenges, it’s also worth understanding how to control it before it controls us.

Woman exercising with a medicine ball in a gym, focusing on her core workout.

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Best NGO Video

2025 Emergency Watchlist Nonprofit Animation & Live Action

Big issues demand bold visuals, and International Rescue Committee’s “2025 Emergency Watchlist” strikes that balance by weaving motion graphics together with live-action footage. The animation features dynamic text and bold colour transitions, highlighting striking stats like “11% of the world’s population, yet 70% of the displaced and needy.”

Abstract design with text "The world is out of balance" on a split black background.

The video uses smooth transitions and striking overlays, combining clear data visuals with raw footage of crisis-affected communities.

World map highlighting twenty countries in yellow, set against a stark black background.

This blend effectively highlights the human toll of conflict and climate change without overwhelming the audience.

Woman with child, representing over 70% of the world’s displaced and hungry in need.

The female voiceover delivers urgent lines—like “leaders are choosing weapons over diplomacy”—in a serious, no-frills tone that fits the gravity of the topic.

"Weapon" and "Diplomacy" in English with misaligned letters, highlighting a thematic contrast.

With attacks on civilians up 66% and these countries contributing under 4% of carbon emissions, it’s clear why the IRC wants your attention (and your support). For more of this motion-graphics-meets-real-life punch, check out the video style of the video entitled “WWF's Living Planet Report 2024” featured in our Nonprofit Blog of October 2024.

Another Great NGO Video

Where does the Path to Global Change Begin? Charity Video

Wait, there’s more! Another great NGO video from December from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). At just 47 seconds, it’s a masterclass on how to deliver a concise yet compelling message on environmental stewardship. TNC’s vector-based animation grabs your attention with bold, flat colours and simplified shapes that feel both modern and friendly.

Abstract colourful illustration of tropical plants and flowers in a dense jungle setting.

The neon palette and clean linework bring energy to every scene, reinforcing TNC’s focus on nature and conservation with bold, standout visuals. Providing the voiceover is Kate Walsh, who brings a calm yet formal tone. Even in under a minute, she conveys TNC’s vision for a sustainable future—“Together, we find a way…,”

Animated illustration of professionals discussing a project outdoors in a vibrant tropical setting.

The explainer animation script is an uplifting infomercial for global change, emphasising the importance of protecting lands, and resilient ecosystems, and empowering local leadership. TNC’s explainer video is a vibrant, short-and-sweet reminder that real change starts with a clear vision and collective action.

Colourful illustration depicting a harmonious blend of nature and human habitats, highlighting sustainability.

Wrapping Up the Best Nonprofit Videos of December 2024

Each story here—whether focused on migratory crises, mental health, or environmental advocacy—demonstrates how animated explainer video storytelling can spark reflection and action. The spotlight on International Migrants Day this month underlines the urgency of solutions like those in our “Saving Migrants Lives” nonprofit video.

As 2024 comes to a close, animation continues to be a vital tool for nonprofits and charities, turning complex ideas into stories that inspire action.

If your organisation is looking to make an impact with explainer videos, contact Leon! Animation Studio—we specialise in bringing nonprofit stories to life.

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Best Nonprofit Videos of December 2024