Each of these websites have been built responsively for a beautiful experience on multiple screen devices. By paying attention to the use of consistent branding, clear messaging, and clean design principles, these nonprofit organizations have created an engaging experience for their audience, yet each look is unique to their individual organizations. Instead of hiding their donation forms or pages, they celebrate the opportunity to engage their constituents. They invite their audience to experience their mission. They empower potential donors with a chance to make a change.
“Design everything on the assumption that people are not heartless or stupid but marvelously capable, given the chance.” —John Chris Jones
It’s not as simple as using a single approach that is effective for all organizations. Instead, we’ve highlighted the key points that stood out to us in the following examples of several nonprofit organization’s websites. (Nonprofits rock.)
1. Charity Water
Main page:
Subpage:
Highlights
- Giving form invitation on the homepage
- Gives donors simple options that are not overwhelming
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
- Different payment options make giving easier
- Responsive forms that look beautiful on mobile
2. Reach Out and Read Colorado
Highlights
- Donation tool is easily accessible on the homepage
- Clear, guided experience with a multi-step form and inline validation
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
- Gives donors simple options that are not overwhelming
- Responsive forms that look beautiful on mobile
- No repetitive information
Disclaimer: The newly launched Reach Out and Read Colorado website and donation tool was designed and developed by the Wanna Pixel Team on WordPress with CiviCRM, an open source CRM used by more than 10,800 nonprofit organizations.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction.” —E. F. Schumacher
3. Heifer International
Homepage:
Further down the homepage:
Highlights
- Giving form invitation on the homepage
- Gives donors simple options that are not overwhelming
- Beautiful call-to-action button in a single-column display
4. Oxfam America
Main page:
Subpage:
Highlights
- Donation selection tool in the footer
- Gives donors clear ways to get involved that are not overwhelming
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
- Bright, fun colors with bold typography
- Striking imagery
- Artistic call-to-action button
5. New York–New Jersey Trail Conference
Landing page for a new website campaign:
Donation tool:
Highlights
- Donation form on homepage as well as pop-up donation tool modal
- Clear, guided experience with a multi-step form
- Gives donors simple options that are not overwhelming
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
- Responsive forms that look beautiful on mobile
- Benefit of certain gift amount clarified
Disclaimer: The NYNJTC fundraising website was designed and developed by the Wanna Pixel Team, built on Wordpress with Give, a donation tool for WordPress.
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupery
6. Saturday Place
Donation page:
Highlights
- Visual graphics to demonstrate impact of donor’s gift
- Simple, clear message
7. Pencils of Promise
Donation page:
Highlights
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
- Clever yet clear messaging
- Different payment options make giving easier
“The time it takes to make a decision increases as the number of alternatives increases.” —William Edmund Hick
8. Girl Effect
Donation page:
Highlights
- Simple yet powerful design
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
“Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.” —John Maeda
9. International Justice Mission
Donation page:
Highlights
- Gives donors simple options that are not overwhelming
- Responsive forms that look beautiful on mobile
- Benefit of certain gift amount
10. Feeding America
Donation page:
Highlights
- Visual graphics to communicate the impact of donor’s gift
- Gives donors the option to give once or give monthly
How about you? Do you have a favorite nonprofit website or a great idea for new ways to engage an audience? Leave a comment below—we’d love to hear from you.
