March brought us some brilliant nonprofit videos worth shouting about. While spring was just getting started, these organisations were already in full bloom with visual stories that deserve the spotlight.

From charity: water's sleep-powered fundraising to WaterAid's impossible-to-ignore campaign, we've spotted five standouts this month. As an animation services provider specialising in charity explainer videos, we're particularly chuffed to see how these animations untangle complex messages. But we'll let the videos speak for themselves…

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Best Charity Video

Sleep for Water Fundraising Animation

charity: water brings us a wonderfully simple concept that turns your nightly eight hours into a force for good. Their "Sleep for Water" initiative encourages people to donate pennies for every hour they slumber, supporting water projects in developing nations.

Animated child playing with water splash in a desert

Produced by Emmy-winning producer Chris Sonnenburg at Emberscope Studios, this charity video stands out through its smooth blend of animation and live-action. Its dreamy, watercolour animation style complements the sleep theme perfectly, making the water crisis feel urgent yet solvable.

Instead of overwhelming viewers with statistics, charity: water shows how sleeping can help tackle one of the world’s most pressing problems. The seamless shift from animated dreams to real-world action bridges aspiration and reality perfectly.

Happy child holding a glass of water in a jungle

With over 29,000 views already, this 60-second gem proves that the best charity animations don't need lengthy explanations—just a crystal-clear concept that connects everyday life to extraordinary impact.

Boy lying in bed for charity: water's sleep donation campaign

Best NGO Video

WaterAid's Typography-Driven Campaign Animation

WaterAid takes a completely different approach to water advocacy with their kinetic typography campaign that turns "WATER" into an impossible-to-ignore visual assault. This 51-second video showcases how the organisation plastered their message across trucks, tabloids, walls and digital platforms.

Campaign truck with water advertisement in front of the Big Ben

What's clever about this nonprofit video is how it transforms WaterAid's campaign into content about the campaign itself. The bold typography and bright colours create a visual language that transcends barriers, while the energetic ethnic music adds a global feel that matches their international mission.

Without using narration, the video relies entirely on visual impact and text to drive home its core message: "It's one thing that changes everything." This approach demonstrates how powerful typography can be when used as the primary communication tool rather than just supporting elements.

With over 11,000 views, this NGO video proves that sometimes the simplest messages—when delivered with enough visual punch—can cut through the noise more effectively than elaborate storytelling.

Text "It all starts with clean water" on a blue background

Best Policy Video

Universal Credit Explainer Animation

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation tackles the dry but crucial topic of Universal Credit rates with a clean, minimalist animation that humanises policy discussion. Created in collaboration with Trussell Trust, this 2-minute video advocates for increasing the basic rate to at least £120 per week.

Three illustrated panels depicting everyday activities in the UK

What makes this policy video effective is how it transforms abstract policy concepts into tangible human struggles. The animation production uses bold, solid colours and simple shapes to represent complex social issues without oversimplifying them. Its distinctive, playful characters humanise a topic that could otherwise feel distant.

A balance scale illustration comparing £120 coin and essentials, emphasizing the cost link

Interestingly, nearly a decade ago, our 2D animation studio created a similar explainer video for JRF about Universal Credit, illustrating how it affected different families, withdrawal rates, and childcare costs. Their latest video spotlights increasing the basic rate to £120 per week, but both animations share the same goal: simplifying complex policy and showing its real effect on families.

Check out our video:

Graph showing the rising trend in childcare costs versus the Consumer Price Index from 2009 to 2013

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Best Education Video

Head Lice Explainer Animation

TED-Ed transforms the squirm-inducing topic of head lice into a fascinating 5-minute educational journey that's racked up nearly 200,000 views. This explainer animation tackles both the biology of these persistent parasites and our historical struggle to eliminate them.

Cartoon of a child's head stylized with exaggerated lice characters forming playful shapes on the scalp

The animation style is vibrant and playfully grotesque, using anthropomorphised lice characters with personalities to keep viewers interested despite the uncomfortable subject matter. Bold line work and bright colours make the scientific content pop, while the humorous approach reduces the "ick factor."

Animated child's face with a distressed expression while lice treatment is applied to wavy hair

Director Oksana Kurmaz strikes the perfect balance between educational depth and visual entertainment. The script weaves together historical context, modern challenges, and practical advice—all delivered through Alexandra Panzer's lively, clear narration.

Animated museum scene with spectators viewing a 10,000-year-old statue scratching its head

As one viewer commented: "Great video, especially for kids and people scared of real photos. Made my head itch while watching." This reaction perfectly captures how effective educational animation can make difficult subjects more approachable without sacrificing scientific accuracy.

Animated child showering using lice shampoo

Best Healthcare Video

Kidney Research Animation

This minute-long healthcare animation by Kidney Research UK uses bold visuals and surprising comparisons to make us appreciate our often-overlooked kidneys. The animation brings to light the staggering work these fist-sized organs perform daily.

Graphic stating "Your kidneys filter 180 litres of blood every day" with red blood cells on purple background

What makes this healthcare animation stand out is its brilliant use of relatable comparisons. When told that our kidneys filter "18 litres of blood daily—equivalent to 720 cups of tea," we suddenly grasp their incredible efficiency in terms anyone can visualise.

Multiple rows of tea cups visually representing the equivalent of 720 cups of tea

The flat design with simple, bold shapes keeps the focus squarely on the information rather than getting lost in visual complexity. Minimalistic motion graphics illustrate key concepts, turning invisible biological processes into clear visual representations.

Diverse group of illustrated people of various ages and abilities in everyday activities

This healthcare explainer video demonstrates how animation can transform abstract medical information into something that feels personally relevant to every viewer.

Doctor with a magnifying glass examining a kidney illustration

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March 2025's Standout Nonprofit Videos

This March, these nonprofit videos sparked meaningful action and awareness. Charity: water shows how our sleeping hours can fund water projects, while WaterAid makes their message impossible to ignore. Joseph Rowntree Foundation turns policy proposals into human stories, TED-Ed makes parasites fascinating rather than frightening, and kidney research becomes relatable through everyday tea comparisons.

For more exceptional nonprofit storytelling, explore our previous best nonprofit video roundups from January and February 2025.

Transform Your Message with Charity Animation

Need your complex message to actually stick with audiences? Our animation services specialise in creating explainers that cut through the noise.

At Leon! Animations, our 2D animation studio has spent years perfecting the art of simplification without losing substance. Whether you're explaining policy changes, healthcare procedures, or fundraising initiatives, our animated video production service transforms complicated ideas into stories that connect with your audience.

We'd love to chat about how charity animation could bring your message to life. Get in touch with us today, and let's start creating something brilliant together.

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Best Nonprofit Videos of March 2025