Budget limitations are common with non-profit and charitable organizations. As a result, organizations often compromise on the need for an effective and attractive website. However, the websites shown here represent some of the most well-designed websites of non-profits. These organizations prove that non-profits can have great websites, and we hope it serves as inspiration for your own work. If you’re looking to create your own non-profit website, we recommend Shopify.

Those organizations that put a priority on the website can have seen benefits like increased donations, better involvement from members and supporters, increased visibility and awareness for their cause, and improved promotion for organization events. All of these things can make it worth the time, effort, and cost to create an effective and attractive website.

The non-profit website must deliver the exact common message from thousands of needy people to the one who is willing to offer some of their amounts. The website must appear to be valid and that is only possible when the clear and detailed motto is provided along with background information and all the other necessary information.

Characteristics of Effective Non-Profit Websites

Before we get into the showcase of some of the best websites of non-profit and charity organizations, let’s take a look at what makes an organization’s website effective.

Clear Description of the Organization’s Purpose

Each non-profit organization exists for a certain purpose. Website visitors who are not familiar with the organization should be able to quickly get an idea of the purpose when visiting the site for the first time. Ideally, the homepage alone will give visitors a basic idea of what the organization does, and then maybe a more detail description of the purpose is provided on a separate page.

Details of Those Who are Served by the Organization

In order to add a personal touch to the website, information should be shared about the people who are benefitting from the services provided by the organization. In some cases, it may be cases where specific people are named or shown, and their stories are shared with the website visitors. In other cases it may be more general information about the audience served, sometimes using numbers and statistics to show the organization’s impact.

Photos can also be very powerful and moving, and help to show the impact of the organization. Many effective non-profit websites include photos of the people who are being helped by the organization, which adds a personal touch and makes it easier for website visitors to feel a connection and an impact.

Information About How to Get Involved

Almost every non-profit organization is highly dependant on the involvement of people and groups. This primarily includes volunteer work and financial donations. Volunteer opportunities should be clearly listed so anyone who is interested is able to get involved.

When it comes to financial involvement, most organizations now make it possible for visitors to donate online. Information should also be provided to inform potential donors how their financial gifts will be used. Some organizations provide details of different projects and allow donors to choose how they get involved (an example would be the many organizations that allow you to sponsor a specific child through that you select through their website).

For others, getting involved may mean receiving the benefits of the organization’s services. Details should be provided to explain who the organization helps, and if appropriate, contact information should be listed so people can apply for assistance.

History of the Organization

The story of the organization will also be important to some website visitors and potential donors. Most effective non-profit websites will include some sort of bio or history of how the organization came about, and any relevant accomplishments or stories of growth.

Details on Upcoming Events

Most organizations use events for fundraising, awareness, encouraging involvement, as well as for service. The organization’s website should list relevant details about upcoming events so that people can get involved in events that interest them.

Quality Design

Of course, the best websites are also well designed. Having a quality design includes the overall visual appeal and the user experience. Regardless of the industry, quality design is essential in order to maximize the impact of the website. Many of these websites contain slideshow of high-quality images and the homepage contains engaging content that motivates the visitor to navigate deeply into the site. All the content contained on the site should be linked to each other and there should be a good amount of valid information available to support all the facts and stances. Good designs come in a wide variety of forms, and in the showcase below you’ll see plenty of examples.

Showcase of the Best Non-Profit Websites:

Now that we have taken a look at what makes an organization’s website successful, let’s look at some beautiful websites of non-profits and charities.

Why it works:

The photos and quotes from people involved in the organization displayed in the homepage slider give a personal touch to the site, allowing visitors to feel more connected.

Services are clearly listed under the “Services” link in the navigation menu.

Opportunities for volunteers are clearly listed under the “Volunteer” link in the navigation menu.

A list of upcoming events is shown on the homepage.

Why it works:

The site uses a very clean design style.

The “Take Action” link in the navigation menu allows visitors to get involved.

Information about the organization and its purpose can be easily found on the “About ONE” and “The Issues” pages.

Why it works:

The homepage clearly states the purpose of the organization: “Not For Sale protects people and communities from human trafficking.”

The homepage includes photos of people impacted.

The site includes a blog where visitors can read more stories about the issues at hand and how the organization is combating them.

The navigation menu provides easy access to information about the organization, ways to get involved, and to donate.

Why it Works:

The large photo on the homepage gives a great visual impact. Not only does it look good, but it also allows the website visitor to feel connected to the girl in the photo who may be impacted by the organization’s efforts.

The “Take Action” link in the navigation menu allows visitors to use their social media profiles to further the cause of the organization.

Videos are also accessible from the navigation menu. The videos are even more powerful than photos for helping visitors to feel connected to people impacted.

Why it works:

Michael J. Fox uses his celebrity status to help raise awareness for his cause.

The homepage clearly states the organization’s purpose, as well as their impact: “Our single, urgent goal: Eliminate Parkinson’s disease in our lifetime. Since 2000, we have granted more than $450 million in research.”

The “Understanding Parkinson’s” link in the primary navigation provides plenty of information for visitors who are not familiar with the disease.

The “Donate”, “Fundraise”, and “Participate” links right in the center of the homepage add a call-to-action for visitors to get involved.

Why it works:

The dark design leaves visitors with a memorable experience on the site.

The homepage shows the number of miles walked for the cause of poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The homepage shows several different ways that visitors can get involved to help the cause.

Why it works:

The homepage includes graphics and links for things like “Find Help”, “Learn”, “Get Involved”, and “Donate”.

The navigation menu also provides links to some of these pages and other important information.

The design is clean and responsive.

Why it works:

The full-screen photo of a sculpture is an ideal fit for this website.

Information about visiting the sculpture garden can be easily found from the “Visit” and “Exhibitions & Events” links.

Events and a map are also included lower on the homepage.

Why it works:

The background photo of the African landscape, as well as the texture, give this site a very memorable look.

The “About” and “Projects” pages provide information about the organization and what it is doing.

Throughout the site photos of people who are being impacted by the organization are shown.

A video is also included on the homepage.

Why it works:

This high-quality design will make a strong impact with first-time visitors. It is very image-heavy with a lot of photos of people in need and being impacted by the organization.

The “About Us”, “Get Involved”, and “Connect” links in the navigation menu make it easy to find what you are looking for.

Different projects of the organization are displayed with thumbnail photos in the “projects” section.

Why it works:

The homepage provides information about the organization as you scroll down. An arrow is there to let visitors know that they should scroll down and some parallax effects are used.

There are several powerful images of the children being impacted.

Organization information can be found on the “About” page. Donations can also be made through the site.

Why it works:

The overall design of this site looks very professional and makes a positive first impression.

The homepage includes a list of upcoming events, recent blog posts, and featured media.

The navigation menu allows visitors to easily access information about the organization and its purpose.

Why it works:

An organization bio, program information, and upcoming events can be easily found through the navigation menu.

The large photos in the homepage slider show people involved and being impacted by the work of the organization.

There is a “donate” button clearly visible on the homepage.

Videos are also included on the site, and there is even a place to submit your own video.

Why it works:

The full-screen video on the homepage is a great way to show the refugee camp and people.

Information about the camp and camp life can be easily found through the menu.

The site includes plenty of photos of people in the refugee camp.

Why it works:

For an art-based organization, it makes sense to showcase art with the full-screen slider on the homepage.

Links like “What’s Happening”, “About”, and “Projects” make it easy to find out more about the organization and what it does.

Opportunities for visitors to get involved in several different ways are provided, including donating money, buying items from the shop, and subscribing to the newsletter.

Why it works:

The homepage includes a slideshow of photos of people being impacted by the work of the organization.

Volunteer opportunities can be found lower on the homepage.

Important information like the organization bio and donation opportunities can be found in the main navigation.

Why it works:

The homepage engages the visitor with the list of achievements and objectives for tackling the poverty in a smart way.

All the categories in the menu are really persuasive and small details are mentioned in the different categories precisely drawing a great amount of attention to the charity programs.

This website has also mentioned how the programs in the past have helped the poor societies.

This website serves as a source to connect the needy people and the one who can offer easily.

Why it works:

This website clearly mentions the objectives and motto for the future serving to promote the entrepreneurship and keeping in mind the value of every small penny.

The vision of the governing bodies has been explained in all of the different formats.

The website mentions the vision in small and few categories with a great deal of curiosity and donators can always keep a proper eye on how their money is being operated.

All of the information has been displayed in the nice presentation and orientation.

The design is similar to a corporate site displaying tons of data and records.

Live support is always available.

The stories and news section has inspiring and heart-breaking stories bringing new innovative ideas in our mind.

Everything is mentioned in full detail so that the donator does not get confused with little detail and can talk to the support directly.

Another great and similar way to display all kind of information and detail about the organization has been mentioned in the footer section.

The impressive records and statistics have been mentioned so as to bring in the number of people ready to donate their hard-earned money.

Conclusion:

People who are interested in donating their amount will study each and every aspect of the website so that their money offers some real value to the needy people or businesses will produce huge returns from their money. Nearly all of these websites have been designed in a similar way. Great customer support must be offered and the charity program must be marketed properly in order to ensure that many people participate to raise huge funds.

For more design inspiration please see: