How to Find a Voiceover Artist for Your Nonprofit Video
The right voice can transform your charity video from good to unforgettable. It's not just narration—it's the emotional bridge connecting your cause to your audience. At Leon! Animation Studio, we've helped dozens of nonprofits find their voice (literally), and we're sharing our insights on finding that perfect vocal match for your animated explainer video.
Script Writing for Charity Animations
Let's start with a truth that's often overlooked: even Morgan Freeman couldn't save a rubbish script. Your script is the backbone of your nonprofit video—it shapes everything that follows, including how effective your voiceover artist can be.
A brilliant script gives your voice talent room to shine, while a weak one leaves them trying to polish something fundamentally flawed. It's like asking a world-class chef to make a gourmet meal using only stale bread and ketchup—they might improve it, but they can't work miracles.
Before you even think about hiring a voiceover artist for your charity animation, make sure your script is tight, clear, and powerful. Our 2D animation studio often helps clients refine their scripts precisely because we know its fundamental importance. We've shared more tips in our blogs about writing a strong nonprofit script and creating effective animated videos on a small budget—have a look at those blogs for extra help.
Professional vs. DIY Nonprofit Voiceovers
We've all suffered through amateur voiceovers—you know the ones. They're recorded on a laptop microphone in an echoey room with a radiator clanking in the background. Your nonprofit deserves better.
That said, there are legitimate situations where someone from your organisation might be the right choice, particularly when authenticity trumps polish. During one charity animation project for an Ethiopian nonprofit, we needed an English voiceover with an Ethiopian accent. The solution? We found a talented local woman in Addis Ababa who had never done voiceover work before. Despite her inexperience with voice recording, we arranged for her to record in a professional studio, providing guidance throughout the process. The result was authentic and high-quality.
If you do go the in-house route, please invest in a proper recording session at a local studio. The difference between professional and amateur audio quality is immediately noticeable, especially when your animation is shown at events or presentations.
A quick note on AI voices: they're getting better and can be useful during production (for timing animations or testing script flow). But for your final charity video, nothing beats a human voice with its natural warmth, subtle emotional inflections, and ability to truly connect with viewers. Our explainer video agency still strongly recommends real voice actors for all final productions.
Curious about what makes a standout nonprofit video? We’ve collected some excellent examples of successful animated videos by charities–check them out to get inspired.
Selecting Voices for Explainer Videos
The beauty of platforms like Voice123 is their simplicity. Upload your nonprofit video script, and within hours, you'll have professional voice actors sending you custom auditions. This eliminates the guesswork—you'll hear exactly how your script sounds in different voices.
For charity videos, we recommend listening to around ten different pitches with your team. This collaborative approach is particularly valuable in nonprofit organisations where stakeholders from different departments often need to align on creative decisions. It turns what could be a subjective choice into a more inclusive process.
When our animation production company works with clients, we typically shortlist 5-10 voices that we believe match their brand and message, then present these options with our recommendations. This streamlines the decision-making while still giving the client meaningful choices.
Pacing & Pricing for Charity Videos
Understanding voiceover pacing is crucial when planning your nonprofit video. Charity videos typically run at about 130 words per minute, while commercial videos often push to 150 words per minute. This pacing directly affects your budget—more words mean longer recordings and higher costs.
Voice talent costs vary widely, but as with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for. When planning your charity animation budget, consider these ballpark figures from Voice123:
0-1 minute recording (up to 150 words): £50-£200
2-5 minute recording (150-750 words): £200-£350
5-15 minute recording (750-2250 words): £350-£500
Remember, nonprofit explainer videos tend to be concise—typically 1-3 minutes—so you're likely looking at the lower to middle range of these estimates.
Think of your voiceover investment not as a painful expense but rather as the narrative heartbeat of your charity video. A skilled voice artist can make complex information accessible, emotional stories resonant, and calls-to-action convincing. For organisations with limited resources, this is money well spent.
Sound Design for Nonprofit Videos
A truly effective charity animation doesn't just rely on voice—it creates a complete audio environment. Music and sound effects work with the narration to build mood, emphasise key points, and create emotional responses.
For deeper insights on selecting the perfect soundtrack, check out our blog on Music for Nonprofit Videos.
Don't overlook the importance of professional sound mixing. A good sound designer balances voiceover, music, and effects so they complement rather than compete with each other. This might seem like a minor detail, but it makes a massive difference when your animated explainer video is played on speakers at a conference or fundraising event.
Our animation studio services always include professional sound design because we've seen firsthand how proper audio mixing elevates the final result.
Working with Voiceover Artists
Once you've selected your voice talent, effective collaboration becomes key. While you can certainly provide feedback remotely, being present (whether physically or via video call) during the recording session allows for real-time direction and ensures the tone and delivery match your vision.
That said, remember that you've hired a professional for their expertise—trust them to interpret your script and bring their skills to the table. The best charity videos emerge when clients provide clear direction while giving artists room to apply their craft.
For most nonprofit animation projects, we recommend planning for two rounds of recordings:
The initial recording after selecting your voice artist
A second session after finalising script changes
Additional sessions may incur extra costs, particularly if they involve significant script revisions. However, minor adjustments to tone or emphasis shouldn’t result in additional charges.
It helps to familiarise yourself with some basic voiceover terminology to smooth the collaboration process. Terms like "broadcast" (distribution of audio/video content), "dead air" (unwanted silence in a recording), and "foley" (added sound effects) can make communicating easier.
For a comprehensive list of V/O terminology, check out this useful glossary.
Beyond Voice123, platforms like UpWork, LinkedIn, and Voice Bunny can also be valuable resources for finding talent. Voice Bunny even offers an automated selection process that can save time for organisations with tight production schedules—although we have our doubts about how any "automated" service could really work. The human ear is always best in our humble opinion.
Whichever platform you choose, provide your selected artist with detailed background on your charity, target audience, and project goals. This context helps them deliver a performance that truly serves your mission.
Each voiceover artist brings their unique qualities to a project. For instance, artists we work with regularly like Josef-Israel, Raphaela Obeng, Atibo Onen, Jennifer Kanari, and Ségolène Birien each have distinctive voices and approaches.
Take time to review their previous work—especially projects for similar organisations or causes. The artists mentioned above have worked with organisations like UNESCO and brands like Lego and Adidas, demonstrating their versatility and professional calibre.
Explainer Video Voiceover Checklist
Before finalising your charity explainer video's voice, ask yourself:
Is your script clear, compelling, and properly paced?
Professional or in-house: which approach suits your project?
Does the voice connect emotionally with your target audience?
Is the cost proportionate to the value this voice adds?
Will you be able to give feedback and work well with this artist?
Finding the perfect voice for your nonprofit animation is about more than just pleasant-sounding narration. It's about discovering a storyteller who can authentically connect with your audience and elevate your message. When you get it right, that voice becomes the emotional conduit for your cause.
Need guidance with finding the perfect voice for your charity video or NHS animation? Our 2D animation studio specialises in creating animated explainer videos for nonprofits and healthcare organisations, from script to screen. The team at Leon! Animation Studio would be delighted to chat about your project and recommend voice talent that perfectly matches your organisation's tone and mission. Let's make your message heard—clearly, memorably, and effectively.
