Nonprofits, as well as businesses everywhere are jumping on the video bandwagon and using video to effectively tell stories. You can engage your current audience and supporters with compelling video that tells your organization's story while attracting donors and activists to your cause. Post a video message from your executive director on your website, or show your volunteers at work as part of your outreach efforts.

TechSoup's inventory of digital video tools makes it easy ' and inexpensive ' to add videos to your organization's toolkit. Flip Video Cameras, Adobe Premiere Elements 8, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, and Adobe CS4 Production Premium fit the bill whether you're just getting started with video editing, or if you're looking to add more than the basics to your digital toolkit.

Of course, the first step to adding video to your toolkit is to get a video recorder. For that, we have donations of Flip Video Ultra U1120 Two-Camera bundle (Admin Fee: $175). These cameras are very easy to use with a flip-out USB connector that makes downloading video to your Windows PC or Mac a very simple process. Webcams, mobile phones, and other inexpensive video recorders can also get you started.

Once you have your video, you'll need to edit it. Flip Video cameras are pre-loaded with software that allows you to edit clips, create movies, send videos through email, and publish videos online to YouTube, MySpace, or other video-sharing websites. Novice users looking for more bells and whistles should look to Adobe Premiere Elements 8 (Admin Fee: $15) with its easy-to-use interface and templates. For the more advanced users, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 for Windows and Mac (Admin Fee: $70) includes more templates, transitions and direct-to-disk recording.

If you're interested in serious video editing and production Adobe CS4 Production Premium for Windows and Mac (Admin Fee: $150) has the entire gamut of video production software including 11 different programs for production: After Effects, for editing motion graphics, Premiere Pro CS4 for video editing, Photoshop CS4 Extended for editing 2D and 3D images, Flash CS4 Professional for creating multimedia content, Illustrator CS4 for creating vector-based images, Soundbooth CS4 for editing audio and much more.

At TechSoup, we've used video again and again to spread our messages. Check out our other resources for getting your organization started with digital video too:

TechSoup Learning Resources:

• Digital Storytelling: A Tutorial in 10 Easy Steps
• Digital Storytelling: See how other nonprofits have used video to support their missions
• Is Adobe Premiere Elements 8 or Premiere Pro CS4 right for you?
• Webinar: Storytelling & Social Media: Video Creation

External Article:

• Using Video to Spread Your Nonprofit Group's Message and Mission

For new product information and TechSoup articles and news, sign up for our email newsletters.