30 Essential Interview Questions for Impact Storytelling

Impact videos for non-profits and NGOs have the potential to inspire action, communicate critical issues, and highlight important programs. But to truly engage an audience, you need stories that capture the heart and mind. This starts with having the right set of interview questions to draw out authentic and meaningful answers.

Why Questions Matter: The best interviews are those where the subject feels comfortable, open, and willing to share deeply. To achieve this, the questions you ask must be carefully thought out. They should give room for reflection, encourage the interviewee to share their journey and align with the organization's mission and goals.

Below is a set of 30 questions that organizations can use to interview subjects when creating programmatic or impact videos. These questions will help uncover powerful narratives that can move viewers to action.

30 Essential Interview Questions for Impact Storytelling

Personal Background and Values

1. What is your full name, and how do you prefer to be addressed?

2. Can you share a bit about your upbringing and how it shaped who you are today?

3. What values or principles guide your life and decision-making?

4. Is there a particular moment in your life that significantly influenced who you are today?

5. What is one piece of advice you received as a child that still resonates with you today?

6. Who has been a significant influence in your life, and why?

Program or Cause Involvement

1. What inspired you to get involved with this organization/cause?

2. Can you share your first experience with the program and what it meant to you?

3. How has your participation in this program or cause impacted your life?

4. What motivates you to continue being involved?

5. What is the most rewarding part of being involved with this cause?

Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

1. Can you describe a challenge you’ve faced during your involvement with this program?

2. How did you overcome that challenge?

3. What advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?

4. What obstacles do you still face in your journey?

5. How do you find strength when facing difficult moments?

Impact and Future Aspirations

1. How has the program or cause made an impact on you personally?

2. What changes have you seen in your community as a result of this program?

3. How do you hope your story will inspire others?

4. What does success look like to you in the context of this program?

5. What are your dreams or goals for the future, both personally and for the cause?

6. If this program were to expand, what would you like to see happen next?

Emotional Insights and Reflections

1. How does your involvement in this program make you feel on a day-to-day basis?

2. What are you most proud of from your experience with this cause?

3. Is there a particular moment that stands out to you as especially meaningful?

4. How do you cope with any difficult emotions or challenges that arise from your work in this space?

5. What legacy do you hope to leave behind with your involvement in this cause?

Calls to Action and Broader Impact

1. What do you want others to understand about this program or cause that they might not know?

2. What message would you send to someone considering supporting this cause?

3. Why is it important for people to get involved, and how can they make a difference?

Why These Questions Matter

These questions are designed to go beyond surface-level answers and encourage the interviewees to share their unique stories, challenges, and triumphs. By asking these types of questions, organizations can craft videos that reflect the authenticity and emotional depth necessary to engage viewers. Personal stories are powerful because they create empathy and connection—two crucial elements in inspiring donations, volunteerism, or advocacy.

When preparing for interviews, it’s important to remember that the interviewee’s comfort and trust are paramount. Start with easy, warm-up questions and build toward more emotionally charged topics, allowing them to open up naturally.

Final Thoughts

A well-thought-out interview guide ensures that the content you gather will be rich in detail, emotion, and relevance to the mission of your organization. Non-profits and NGOs looking to tell stories that drive action should invest time in creating questions like these, which can help generate thoughtful, meaningful responses and create a lasting impact through their video content.