Raising $60,000 for a Special Needs School: The Happy People Foundation’s Journey

When Happy Productions' founder Atdhe Trepca’s "Are You Happy?" platform reached one million followers, he knew it was time to give back. This milestone led to the creation of The Happy People Foundation, with its first mission being to raise $60,000 for a special-needs school in Albania to purchase a handicapped-accessible bus.

But how do you ask an audience that has never been solicited for donations to raise $60,000? The answer was authenticity. Happy Productions documented the story by traveling to Albania, meeting the students and staff, and showing the direct impact the bus would have on their lives. The emotional connection created through this content transformed the fundraising effort.

Through live streams on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, we engaged our audience directly, using real-time tools that allowed viewers to donate with just a tap. Within months, we hit our $60,000 goal. This campaign not only raised the funds but also created a lasting emotional connection with our audience, showing the power of storytelling in nonprofit fundraising.