Every business we work with is a little different, and we like that. With diversity of mission, however, comes diversity of need. Whereas a local small business site build may move quickly with minimal oversight, when building websites for nonprofits, flexibility and hands-on availability are critical throughout the process. While there are certain standards that hold true across different types of organizations, what fits the bill for a small retail shop may not work at all when putting together a donations-based platform. C'est la vie and pass the triple espresso shots, baby. Welcome to the wonderful world of nonprofit websites.
Our team has a long history of building websites for nonprofits. One such organization we've been privileged to do business with is Capriccio Columbus. Under the guidance of Artistic Director, Larry Griffin, and Associate Director, Karrie Horton, Capriccio brings a variety of choral music to the city with three separate groups and an eclectic performance schedule. By their very nature, websites for nonprofits often require a different approach. With that in mind, here are three tips that will help you in proposing and delivering on cool nonprofit websites and other charity websites.
Know Your Audience
Building websites for nonprofits will not typically lead to a standard 9-5 business relationship. You'll need to be available when your client is available. Resources are usually stretched somewhat thin, and you have to remember that some positions will likely be volunteer-staffed at your partner's organization. What does that mean practically? It means keep that cell phone on (unless you're in a movie theater, you animal), and treat yourself to a cappuccino for the occasional after-hours tutorial.
Perk #1 of Building Websites for Nonprofits: We get to communicate with hard-working folks who believe in important causes.
Aid the Ask
Securing grants is a big part of life in the nonprofit sector. In fact, virtually all project movement tends to hinge on funding to some degree. It isn't uncommon for nonprofits to request a partner step in and help with that. Be prepared to justify project price points and provide options for keeping down costs on your end. This allows grant writers make their best case for outside fiscal involvement.
It's good to keep in mind throughout this process that there's a common goal for everyone involved — even the grant organizations. That goal is to fund a justifiable project. Grants have to go somewhere, and the decision makers on that front are rooting for a nonprofit to make a strong case each time they pick up a new grant proposal.
Perk #2 of Building Websites for Nonprofits: By this point, everybody is working on the same team to fund a project both parties believe in.
Be the Board
There may not be one head honcho making all of the calls. From Chairman to Treasurer, you'll want to cater your presentations to ensure pertinent information reaches the right ears. Slide decks, traditional meetings... use whatever it takes, really. Communicate with flexibility and variety to address the collective and individual concerns of the room. Go get that board on board!
Perk #3 of Building Websites for Nonprofits: Rallying multiple viewpoints to a single plan is a valuable exercise. In the world of web design for nonprofits, this exercise forces digital product studios to improve at providing mutually beneficial results.
Building Websites for Nonprofits is a Highly Rewarding Partnership Experience
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to building cool nonprofit websites (is there to anything in business?). However, if you keep the big picture in mind as you pitch, position, and participate in the machinery of these organizations, you will get the hang of what's needed. Building websites for nonprofits can be quite rewarding, and these three tips should keep you on the right track to getting as much out of these partnerships as our studio has.
