Home / Ideas / Kinetic Reports for Duty: On a Mission with the YWCA
November 8th, 2024
Kinetic Reports for Duty: On a Mission with the YWCA
Kinetic Marketing & Creative’s gives back to Billings non-profits by creating the YWCA’s 2024 Purse-a-Palooza donation appeal video, showcased at their hugely successful donation event.
At Kinetic Marketing & Creative, we believe in the power of storytelling to bring about meaningful change — and giving back is a core part of who we are. Whether it’s through pro bono work, fundraising efforts or sometimes investing in our clients’ endeavors, we believe in making a difference in the community that supports us. When the YWCA asked us to help share their story via an inspiring video for their annual fundraiser, we knew this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. Recently, we had the privilege of working with the YWCA on a project that both challenged and inspired us! We’re excited to share that our collaboration with the YWCA on this video received a 2024 Platinum Viddy Award, a recognition of the impactful stories we’re proud to create together.
We’re thrilled to announce that our collaboration on this video not only helped amplify the YWCA’s mission but also received a 2024 Platinum Viddy Award, a shared recognition for both Kinetic and YWCA that highlights the power of stories to inspire change.
You see, this wasn’t just another video project. It was a truly awesome opportunity to give back to our community and contribute to an incredible organization whose work transforms lives every day — and impacts generations.
A Shared Commitment to Community
The YWCA’s work reaches far beyond the surface. From providing safe housing and crisis support to offering educational programs that empower women and families, the YWCA plays a critical role in helping individuals overcome some of the toughest challenges in life. For me, I found myself thinking “offering services” really doesn’t come close to what they actually do — they provide lifelines.
Protecting Stories, Amplifying Voices
So here’s the thing (and the challenge): for us, one of the most important aspects of this project was making sure that the voices of those the YWCA serves were protected and respected. We had to be careful and creative because it can be easy to exploit vulnerable moments to create emotional impact, but we knew from the start that this wasn’t the way we wanted to tell the YWCA’s story — far from it.
Additionally, we wanted to create something that wouldn’t just raise funds but also inspire others to get involved and support this important work. We wanted to present them with a video that wouldn’t just ask for donations but inspire people to truly WANT to become part of the YWCA’s mission and to feel the significance of their support in helping to create real, lasting change.
“We understood from day one that the most important thing was to create a story that reflected the strength and resilience of the YWCA’s community, without compromising anyone’s privacy. Our goal was to honor their experiences, using imagery and narration to highlight the organization’s impact without sensationalizing anyone’s trauma.”
– Anjali Drake, Project Manager
So how do you tell a story without actually telling a story? How do you showcase the impact of the YWCA without bringing in the actual people who have been helped, even saved?
By working closely with the YWCA team to understand their goals and fully grasp their mission and the impact of their work, we knew our video would have to highlight the joy, strength and resilience of those who have benefitted from the YWCA’s programs. A highly collaborative and creative process with our videographer, Sam Steingraber of Samuel Roland Films followed that and resulted in a video that shares the essence of the YWCA’s work — its commitment to hope, support and empowerment — while maintaining the dignity and confidentiality of the individuals who benefit from their work.
This video doesn’t dwell on hardships — it uplifts and inspires, showing viewers the tangible difference their support can make.
“We cannot thank you enough for the amazing video we were able to share at Purse-a-Palooza. Your team is very talented and so beautifully captured the message we had hoped to convey. This video would not have been possible without your generosity. We know this video will have a far-reaching impact as we continue to share it with our many donors.”
– Patrice Elliot, Vice Chair, YWCA Board of Directors
About the YWCA
The YWCA helps individuals not only survive but thrive, providing them with the tools and support they need to build better lives. Through programs like safe housing, domestic violence support and educational opportunities, the YWCA empowers people to stand on their own and achieve their dreams.
“One of the most moving parts of this project was seeing how deeply the YWCA impacts lives. This organization is more than just a non-profit — it’s a vital part of our community, offering people a path forward. At Kinetic, we love giving back and we were so honored to be a part of this and thrilled we were able to support them.”
–Kelsea Schreiner, Managing Partner
Join Us in Making a Difference
As we wrap up this project, we invite you to become part of the YWCA’s mission. Supporting their work means more than just making a donation — it means helping to create safe spaces, providing education and giving hope to those who need it most.
“When you support the YWCA, you’re not just giving money — you’re becoming part of a movement that’s changing lives. You’re helping to build a stronger, more compassionate community.”
– Kelsea Schreiner, Managing Partner
This Giving November, we hope you’ll watch our video and find yourself inspired to join us in making a difference! Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for everyone in our community — break the cycle of violence and abuse and transform lives!
