Lever for Change Economic Opportunity Challenge

Per Scholas, 2020

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that provides tuition-free tech training to adults from overlooked communities. In 2020, they submitted a video application for the Lever for Change Economic Opportunity Challenge, a competitive $10 million grant opportunity. I was the in-house Content Marketing Manager tasked with producing the submission video.

The Assignment

I received a 30-second script and a two-week deadline. COVID protocols eliminated any possibility of in-person filming. My job was to produce a compelling video that could stand on its own in a high-stakes submission process, using only what we had available remotely.

The Approach

I chose to create a 2D animated world using Per Scholas' existing brand imagery. Animation enabled me to work entirely remotely, visualize abstract concepts like barriers and transformation, and rework existing assets in a way that felt fresh and purposeful. I storyboarded the entire sequence, sourced and adapted brand visuals, built the animations, and managed the voice-over recording and sound design myself. Throughout the process, I held regular check-ins with stakeholders, shared drafts for review, and quickly incorporated feedback to stay on schedule.

The Result

Per Scholas received a $10 million award in November 2020. The video clearly conveyed the script and stood out among the submissions.

What This Project Taught Me

This project taught me how to work within real constraints without letting them show in the final product. The creative challenge was how to make something feel human and alive without filming real people. The solution was to use the organization's own visual language and let that carry the story. That instinct, to let an organization's existing materials do the narrative work, is one I still apply to every project.