The Problem

In 2024, Heritage Preparatory School celebrated a major milestone: the graduation of its first senior class after expanding into a high school program four years earlier.

The school’s annual fundraising auction became an opportunity to celebrate and capitalize on that moment, but the team faced a challenge. As a dry event, the fundraiser lacked built-in energy many galas rely on. It needed a compelling emotional centerpiece that could deepen donor connection and inspire generosity.

The Approach

Cloudfire developed a film centered around Heritage Prep’s “Portrait of a Graduate” - the values and character traits the school aims to cultivate in students.

Rather than telling a single story, the video combined perspectives from students, parents, teachers, and board members into a unified narrative. Interviews were intentionally structured around the school’s core themes, allowing the film to demonstrate how those ideals were reflected in the graduating class itself.

The result was a piece designed not just to inform donors, but to help them emotionally connect the school’s mission with tangible outcomes.

The Results

After premiering at the fundraising auction, the school achieved record-breaking results:

  • More than $100,000 in additional funds raised year-over-year

  • A 16% increase in giving from the previous year

Beyond the numbers, the film helped turn a historic milestone into a meaningful donor moment: reinforcing confidence in the school’s vision through the lives and stories of its first graduating class.

  • “Our team thoroughly enjoyed working with Cloudfire! Kevin was extremely organized, yet also very creative - a rare combination which made working his team easy. He was so helpful during pre-production, listening well and helping us really hone in on what our story should be - which was greatly needed.

    We were also SO impressed by how much research and prep the team did to get to know our school. It showed in how Kevin conducted interviews - his questions and guidance of interviewees were outstanding.

    Ultimately, the team at Cloudfire gave us a beautiful video - the transitions were seamless, story arc was easy to follow, and the final video is deeply moving! It's a story we're so proud to share."

    - Emily Daniel

FULL CREDITS

Client: Heritage Preparatory School
Director/DP/Editor: Kevin Collins
Producer: Emily Daniel
B-Camera Operator: Christopher Holm
Gaffer: Zachary Durden