When people talk about the importance of websites, the focus is often on the business aspect - how much you can sell or how you can attract more customers. Having a great website isn’t just critical for companies, however. A solid website is critical to non-profit organizations as well.
For nonprofits, a website can be a way to reach potential donors, volunteers, and staff - as well as clients and others who may benefit from their services. A great nonprofit website should be easy to use while focusing on the organization’s mission. It should also be accessible, and give users an opportunity to get involved or donate to support its work.
At Inclind, we offer website design and development services for nonprofit organizations, government entities, healthcare providers, and other types of businesses and corporations. We believe that a great website should be clean, functional, and accessible to all. Want to learn more? Reach out to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
What Makes a Great Nonprofit Website?
A nonprofit website should tell a compelling story. Nonprofit organizations are mission-driven, and their websites should reflect that much. In other words, through both text and graphics, the website should tell users the reason why the nonprofit exists - and why they should care about the mission.
Unlike business websites, nonprofit sites typically aren’t seeking sales. However, many of the same principles that are used on for-profit company websites can and should be used on nonprofit sites. This includes search engine optimization (SEO), opportunities to sign up for a mailing list, and chances to get involved. While conversion looks a little different for nonprofits, it’s still important - you’re just getting people to make a call, donate, sign up to volunteer, or otherwise get involved instead of getting them to buy a product or service.
Nonprofit websites should also be optimized for mobile, as Americans increasingly access the internet via phones and tablets. They should also have a seamless user experience (UX) that allows visitors to get the information that they need as easily as possible. In addition, the website should be accessible so that users with disabilities can utilize them properly.
Of course, there are other features that a nonprofit website should include, such as calls to action to donate or otherwise get involved in the organization’s mission. It should also include fact-based data, as non-profit organizations are often looked to as experts in the field. Finally, the content should set a clear tone, highlighting successes to empower users to reach out, donate, volunteer, or simply care about the organization’s mission.
35+ Top Nonprofit Website Designs
There are tons of great nonprofits out there, and many have outstanding websites. Below, we have put together a list of some of our favorite sites - and the reasons why we think that they’re great.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that helps people build, refurbish, or preserve homes - and is famous for being one of President Carter’s favorite charities. The Habitat website uses bright, high-contrast colors to make it more accessible for users. There are also multiple “donate now” buttons to encourage people to act. They also maintain links to their social pages on their website so that users can find what they need easily.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to raising awareness about the condition as well as supporting those who live with MS. The website features clear pathways for visitors, with two navigation bars where users can click on topics such as “Symptoms and Diagnosis” or “Ask an MS Expert.” The site also has tons of resources available for patients and family members, which allows it to serve as an educational site and a directory of sorts. The donate button is featured prominently in the upper right corner of the screen, in blog purple and white - which contrasts nicely with the branded orange and white color.
Invisible Children
Invisible Children is a nonprofit organization that partners with local peace committees in Central Africa to help end violent conflict and save children’s lives. We love the transparent logo in the hero, which plays on the brand’s theme of helping children who may feel invisible. The fixed donate button on the side of the screen keeps the primary call-to-action in front of your eyes at all times. The work page templates also do a great job of highlighting the impact the organization has made.
Equal Opportunity Community Initiative
The Equal Opportunity Community Initiative is a Canadian nonprofit that works to improve the lives of vulnerable children around the world. One of the first things that users see on the homepage is a map that shows where the nonprofit is currently working. They also make great use of photographs to highlight their work while simultaneously telling a story of hope. The site also features quick links along the top of the homepage to make it easy for visitors to find what they need.
The Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House offers housing to families whose children are undergoing medical treatment, allowing them to avoid hotel costs during what can often be a difficult time. Its website features a prominent red donate button - complete with a heart - to make it as easy as possible to donate. It also shows its impact front and center, listing statistics on a number of programs, overnight stays, and volunteers on its home page. Visitors can also view engaging stories from real families who have benefitted from the program on its “get involved” page.”
Boys & Girls Club of America
The Boys & Girls Club of America offers both mentorship and after-school programs for kids throughout the U.S. The homepage has drop-down menus that make the site easy to navigate, including one that lets users choose their role (such as parent, student, or educator) and go directly to the appropriate resources. There is also a section that highlights the statistics on at-risk kids and provides buttons to donate $25 to $500. The site primarily uses blue as its main color, with splashes of bright color for contrast.
Charity:Water
Charity:Water is a nonprofit organization that helps provide families around the world with clean water. The homepage is well laid out to inspire donations. A donor form is featured right in the hero with hero text that explains the mission and impact of the organization. A video plays in the background showing the communities impacted and the work performed by the organization. The site also demonstrates social proof with a pop-up in the bottom-left corner that shows recent donors. All of these elements combined help to drive more donations for the organization.
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code seeks to close the gender gap in STEM by training girls and young women in computer science and coding. Its website features a prominent image of the very girls who benefit from this program, along with a clear statement of its mission. On the donation page, the organization explains exactly how donations are used and offers opportunities for corporate sponsorship. In addition, the site uses bright, contrasting colors to satisfy accessibility requirements.
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is an environmental group that fights for environmental and social justice and works for clean air and water. Its website reflects its mission, with green and blue featuring prominently. Each page has a bar across the top of the screen that features a call to action to become a wilderness guardian. They also feature the latest news on the homepage so that visitors can see exactly what is happening with various issues (such as gas stoves) that are in the news.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a charity that fights homelessness and poverty. Many people are familiar with the Salvation Army’s bright red logo from seeing bell ringers around the holidays. This color is used prominently on the website, which is great from a branding perspective. The homepage also provides a clear explanation of the work that they do and how each organization works within their local community.
Heifer International
Heifer International teaches communities how to farm to keep them free from hunger and poverty. The nonprofit organization provides animals, tools, and training to help communities learn how to farm. The menu is intentionally kept very clean and simple to help users navigate around the site. There are only five main menu items with additional pages organized via dropdown mega menus. The donate and gift catalog links are styled differently to call attention to those pages. The hero of the homepage also focuses on the free ornament you’ll receive when you make a donation to inspire more donations.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
The National Network to End Domestic Violence is an organization that is dedicated to ending domestic violence. Because victims of domestic violence may navigate to the website to find resources, it features a prominent “EXIT SITE” button in the top right corner so that they can easily leave the site if necessary for safety reasons. They also have a header at the top of each page that offers technology safety tips and alternative ways to get in touch with resources.
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has a mission of preserving the Golden Gates National Park. Its website shares its work by breaking it down into four areas: trail and park improvements, ecosystem and wildlife conservation, education and youth programs, and community programs and social impact. The website makes it easy for visitors, volunteers, and donors to navigate to each page. They also have an embedded searchable directory that allows users to find the park that they want to learn about quickly.
Power for Parkinson’s
The Power for Parkinson’s website serves as an example of how simple design can be effective. You don’t have to have a large budget to build a great website. Power for Parkinson’s uses very basic page structures to communicate its message and mission. The organization provides mind and body fitness classes to help individuals with Parkinson's feel better. We love the large and clear direct links to YouTube for pre-recorded and live fitness classes. The gif loop of an exercise class is also a great touch to illustrate what the fitness classes look like.
Doctors without Borders
Doctors without Borders - also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - is an international NGO that delivers medical aid to communities in crisis. One of the best parts of this website is the way that it stays up-to-date, immediately letting supporters know where they are working (for example, the current homepage highlights the war in Ukraine). They also have an infographic that lets users know exactly how funds are being used. The site features bold, high-contrast colors of red, white, and black, along with powerful photographs of their work in action.
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an animal advocacy organization. Its logo features a panda, and the website carries this branding throughout, with black and white high-contrast text and pops of primary colors. Its homepage also features information about why the WWF is trustworthy and how its funds are used alongside a “donate” button.
Free Street
Free Street has been fostering affordable and inclusive theater communities throughout Chicago since 1969. The website boasts a modern and simple design that is very image-based. Almost every section of the homepage utilizes a background image, which nicely complements the organization’s mission in a very visual performance art industry. Free Street aims to provide theater for people who hate theater and their attractive site design does a great job of capturing interest - even amongst those that may not be interested in theater.
The Humane League
The Humane League is an organization that is devoted to ending the abuse of animals raised for food. Its mission is clear from the start, with a large picture of a cow featured in the center of the homepage. Below the cow are several awards that the Humane League has received for its transparency and accountability, which reassures visitors that the charity is safe and a good steward of their funds.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a mission to research, treat, and end childhood cancers and other pediatric diseases. The St. Jude website has many great features, including a drop-down menu that is broken down by the diseases that they treat. They also feature donors as part of their success stories, which is a great way to help donors see the impact of their generosity.
Learning Network for Countries in Transition
The Learning Network for Countries in Transition (LNCT) works around the world to share knowledge and advice to support immunization. Given its global work, the LNCT made a smart choice to allow users to select a language right on the homepage. They also use interactive graphics and feature resources prominently on their homepage.
Riverlife
Riverlife is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that seeks to increase equitable access and recreational use of the city’s three rivers. Its website is a great example of how local nonprofits can use photographs and images to build a connection with its audience, and demonstrate how their work is important to the community. It also has a great navigation bar that offers options like guides to each riverfront.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has a goal of tackling climate change, protecting natural resources like land and water, and building healthier communities. Its website features stunning imagery of the natural world that it seeks to protect. Each of these images includes alt text, which is a great feature that every website should incorporate for accessibility.
Feeding America
Feeding America is a hunger relief organization that is dedicated to providing greater food security throughout the U.S. Their website offers easy paths to follow for donors, volunteers, and advocates, as well as a clear call to action to donate. They also use both images and film to tell a story about the people that they help through their work, which is incredibly compelling.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Alex’s Lemonade Stand helps to fund research and support families who are dealing with childhood cancer. The website uses bright, playful colors of blue and yellow along with making lemons and lemonade a central theme. It also has a real-time donation tracker that shows appreciation for donors.
The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund uses conservation and mitigation solutions to protect America’s land and water. Its website features engaging video stores to help visitors picture how their donations will be used. They also utilize an interactive map to show users where they work.
Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts is an organization that helps girls build life skills. The Girl Scouts website has clear user pathways for visitors to follow based on who they are (volunteers, parents, families, etc). The site can be viewed in Spanish or English, which makes it more accessible to people who speak Spanish as a first language.
CARE
CARE’s mission is to end poverty and achieve social justice throughout the world. The CARE website has a number of great features, including an up-to-date news and stories section and photography related to their work. They also offer a number of ways to get involved beyond donating, including advocacy options.
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association has a recognizable logo that (unsurprisingly) features a red heart. This color scheme is carried out throughout its site, with high contrast black and white test combined with pops of red. They also use a distinctive call to action - “Help Stop the Silent Killer” that ties directly into their mission of raising awareness about heart disease and strokes.
The ASPCA
The ASPCA - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - is an animal welfare organization. Its website features compelling photos of animals in need that are guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of visitors. There is also a prominent “donate” button as well as a page for fundraising opportunities that go beyond simply donating.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is an organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Given the fame of its founder and namesake, it’s unsurprising that the homepage features a prominent photo of Michael J. Fox. They also include empowering quotes from other people with Parkinson’s Disease to uplift visitors and motivate them to join the fight to end Parkinson’s.
The American Council for the Blind
The American Council for the Blind is an organization that advocates for equality for blind and low-vision people throughout the United States. Unsurprisingly, its website has some of the best accessibility features for people who are blind or have low vision. In addition to high contrast colors that make it easy for screen readers to work, the site also has a prominent button at the top that allows users to adjust the site based on text size and preferred contrast.
Freedom Service Dogs of America
Freedom Service Dogs of America is an organization that provides trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities at no cost. The website highlights its monthly giving program, which makes it easier to set up recurring donations. It also uses a red, white, and blue theme to emphasize its patriotic roots.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a well-known organization that is dedicated to spreading awareness about cancer, providing research and resources about cancer, and raising funds for cancer research. Its website highlights its educational bona fides, with a navigation bar that allows users to learn more about types of cancer, treatments, risks, and more. It also offers a great donation option at the top of the page - to give in honor or in memory of a loved one.
Covenant House
Covenant House offers support for youth who are unhoused or are victims of trafficking. Its homepage features multiple ways to get involved, including donating or participating in special events. They also include a page where visitors can learn more about the children that Covenant House has helped, putting names and faces to their mission.
Memphis Zoo
The Memphis Zoo is a zoo and animal conservation organization. One of its website’s best features is a live animal camera where visitors can actually see the many animals that live at the zoo. They also use high-quality images of the zoo’s animals to complement the videos.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a goal of eliminating blood cancers through research, education, and advocacy work. The website uses a bold red as its primary accent color, along with high contrast black test on a white background. Visitors can immediately find resources along the navigation bar at the top of the screen, which makes it easy to find what you need.
RAICES
RAICES - the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services - supports immigrants and refugees in the U.S. The website has great branding, with its main colors of lime green and a darker green used with great impact. The site also makes it easy for potential clients to get help with a prominent button, and for visitors to donate to support its work.
The Climate Reality Project
The Climate Reality Project is an advocacy and education nonprofit that is dedicated to ending climate change. Its website features bold calls to action that emphasize the seriousness of the climate crisis. These calls to action are accompanied by stark photographs of nature that show the potential risk to our earth if we don’t act.
Polaris Project
The Polaris Project is a nonprofit that is dedicated to ending human trafficking. Its website uses large, bold text to highlight the scope of the problem. They also utilize interactive myth/fact graphics to help people understand the realities of human trafficking. Like the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Polaris Project also has a prominent “exit” button for safety.
The Malala Fund
The Malala Fund is a nonprofit that supports girls throughout the world as they pursue a secondary education. The website has statistics on gender inequality in education in each country that the organization works in, helping visitors understand the importance of its mission. They also make good use of white space to draw the eye towards important features like the “donate” button.
United Way
The United Way is dedicated to “advancing the common good” in communities around the world. One of the best features of the website is how the United Way repeatedly invites visitors to view its impact. They also feature photos of their current relief efforts (such as in Turkey and Syria after the recent earthquake). Call-to-action buttons are bright orange, allowing them to stand out against the black-and-white background and text.
Interested in Nonprofit Web Design? We Can Help
Creating or updating a non-profit website can be a daunting task. You want your site to be informative, easy to use, and a great representation of your mission. You also want to make sure that people who need help can find what they need - and that donors don’t struggle to financially support your mission.
At Inclind, we offer a full range of web development and design services for nonprofit organizations. We understand what nonprofits need when it comes to website design - and will put in the work to create a website that helps your organization achieve its goals. Our services include everything from website design and redesign to accessibility audits to conversion optimization.
If you’d like to learn more about our web services for nonprofits, we’re available. You can fill out our online contact form or hit the live chat button to talk to one of our experts about your website.