How Beast Philanthropy Is Making Kindness Go Viral

Jimmy Donaldson (Mr Beast) and Dan Mace (Chief Creative Officer, Beast Philanthropy) | Beast Philanthropy

What happens when cinematic storytelling meets philanthropy — and strips away every trick that makes traditional filmmaking sensational? For the creative team at Beast Philanthropy, the answer is simple yet profound: you can tell the truth and still move millions.

Dan Mace, the Chief Creative Officer at Beast Philanthropy was a filmmaker known for his collaborations with creators like Casey Neistat and his own award-winning films. He has been one of the creative voices helping shape the channel’s visual storytelling. “I wasn’t sure philanthropy and YouTube’s fast-paced attention economy could work together,” Mace recalled. “I thought the videos might only get a few million views at most.” But the first video he worked on for Beast Philanthropy soared to 20 million views — proving to the team that authentic, heart-driven content could resonate with a massive audience.

Fast forward 29 months, Beast Philanthropy channel has grown to 28 million subscribers, with most videos now surpassing 25 million views each. “When I started, people would constantly say that it’s impossible to make philanthropy films ‘viral,’” Mace said. “With Jimmy Donaldson’s (MrBeast’s) vision and a talented creative team, we’ve shown it can be done.” Backed by a fantastic philanthropic team that invests in and supports changemakers around the world, this is a look at how storytelling can drive impact.

Finding the Soul in the Story

Traditional charity films often swing between two extremes: earnestness that bores or sensationalism that exploits. “We refuse to do either,” Mace noted. The Beast Philanthropy team instead aims for the sweet spot where entertainment, inspiration, and impact intersect — content you want to watch and feel compelled to share. That approach matters because every view on the channel literally funds the mission: 100% of ad revenue, brand deals, and merch profits flow straight back into projects on the ground.

For the team, storytelling is about emotion — creating films that make viewers feel something real. “With philanthropy, everything we say and do is 100% true,” Mace explained. “Sometimes as a filmmaker, I might think about framing something differently to make it more dramatic, but we’re committed to being honest while still making it gripping. It’s a fascinating challenge.”

Music also plays a key role in that process. “We score all the films ourselves,” he said. “By using authentic sounds recorded on location — footsteps, voices, the rhythms of communities — we give each story a personal, lived-in feel.”

Dan Mace is a creative and visionary Filmmaker, Youtuber, CCO (Chief Creative Officer) for Beast Philanthropy and the founder of JOE and ALL OF US Studios in Cape Town.

Beyond the Views

Beast Philanthropy is not just about creating content — it’s about driving change. Every view directly fuels real-world impact. “The amount of revenue that goes straight back into projects is incredible,” Mace said. Unlike most charities, 100% of the revenue from ads, brand deals, merchandise, and donations goes directly to causes. Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) personally covers the overhead  production costs, ensuring every dollar raised is put to work.

The most powerful moments often happen off-camera. “Some of the most meaningful feedback we get is just people on the ground sending us videos of how their lives have changed. That’s the most special part,” Mace shared.

Global Impact, One Film at a Time

In the past two years, Beast Philanthropy has launched 30+ films spanning more than 20 countries — delivering everything from life-saving surgeries to solar-powered villages. They’ve built homes for orphans in South Africa, provided 20,000 pairs of shoes for schoolchildren, and funded 100 heart surgeries for children in Nigeria.

In Asia, projects have powered a mountain hospital and birthing center in Nepal, provided 2,200 prosthetic limbs in Cambodia, and rebuilt shelters for hundreds of animals in Thailand. In the U.S., the channel has donated over $2.7 million in clothing, 13 tons of food, $1 million in dental surgeries, and supported teachers, hospitals, and mental health organizations.

Cracking the Code of Attention: Inspiration Over Sensationalism

The team approaches YouTube storytelling with precision, ensuring every video strikes the right balance of impact, communication, and persuasion.

“The hook is everything,” Mace explained. “Once viewers click, we have to deliver on that promise while building emotion throughout. The last 30 seconds are key — that’s where you inspire action.”

Beast Philanthropy’s videos have evolved from flashy giveaways to cinematic mini-documentaries with real emotional depth. A project in Colombia, for example, powered a remote island and also gave women a path to financial independence by creating a bakery. “Does a story like ‘We Powered an Island’ sound more clickable than ‘Women’s Empowerment Through Baking’? Sure,” Mace said. “But once we have their attention, we can tell the deeper, more meaningful story.”

Beast Philanthropy offers viewers a simple yet powerful way to contribute. “Even a single view is giving back,” Mace said. “We’ve even had kids donating their tooth fairy money to charity. That kind of hope is inspiring.”

The Power of Storytelling

Our conversation ends with a mutual sense of wonder at what storytelling can still achieve. “I’ve stopped trying to be the best,” Dan says quietly. “Now I just want to share what I’ve learned. Because there are so many amazing organizations out there doing incredible work—but no one sees them. And views? Views create hope.”

The team at Beast Philanthropy proves that storytelling, when done with honesty and heart, can turn attention into real impact. With just one click, a viewer can spark donations, amplify awareness, and help change lives. 

In a world overloaded with content, these stories stand out because they remind us that even the smallest action can make a difference.