HOW TO GET A FREE WEBSITE FOR YOUR NONPROFIT (NPO)
YEP! You’re not in a new dimension. You can get a complimentary Benchmark Week or Launching Package from yours truly, an expert in Charity + Nonprofit Design - completely gratuitous.
This has actually been an annual tradition of donating our services of website building/editing & branding for a single registered non-profit. Typically, selection of the 501C3’s for gratuitous services happen by references and/or contacts from existing clients. In fact, you will meet the 2021 COTY Winners next week!
So what’s the deal Dani… How do you do this? How do we apply? Qualify? What is the difference between the two services? When will we get the free site? Are there any fees? LET’S DIVE IN.
HOW DO I EVEN DO THIS?
I GET IT, IT KINDA SEEMS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE TO BE A DESIGNER + CREATIVE FOR CHARITIES THEN GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE
I mean, you are not wrong. But here’s the deal. Not all charities can afford (cough) or convince their board that my services are necessary. Also, my services are out of budget for many NPOs starting out and sometimes, all you need is someone to believe in you to get you started. I am more than happy to offer those charities my cheerleading services, tech skills and neurotic color mania for free. You are welcome!
AND then, guess what?!? I have a new lifelong friend and happy client who happily passes on referrals directly to more in my key market. 😉
HOW DO WE QUALIFY?
THIS PART IS EASY
Are you a 501C3 with a letter in hand? GUESS WHAT?!? YOU QUALIFY! Just make sure you do all of the steps!
HOW DO WE APPLY?
EASY AS 1, 2, 3.
Step 1 - Complete the application here
Step 2 - Join our newsletter so you don’t miss our COTY announcement
Step 3 - Send this awesome opportunity to other community partners who qualify to join
Now Let’s Dive into the Specs of the FREE Services + How this works
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BENCHMARK WEEK + LAUNCHING?
LET’S GET TO KNOW YOUR CHARITY A BIT
Do you have a website already?
Do you have a logo that is recognizable and that you love?
If you answered NO to both the above questions then you will be on my BENCHMARK WEEK EXPERIENCE.
This week is all about getting you set up for success. We literally make a brand, logo, and website, all in 1 work week. We will push a new website onto Squarespace, deliver brand guidelines and proper file formats of your logos for continuity as you move forward. For this week, there is “homework” as I call it before your project date. You can get a sneak peek at what your branding homework will look like.
If you answered YES to both the above questions then you will more than likely be on my LAUNCHING PACKAGE.
This package is all about refining everything that you already have while not touching your brand identity (except for making sure you have all of your file formats etc if you made a DIY logo). This package takes about 4 weeks to complete and we will push a new website onto Squarespace or refine an existing one on Squarespace. For this service, there is some “homework” as I call it before your project date. Though we are not doing any branding for your project with this package, you can get a sneak peek at what it will be like.
WHEN WILL WE GET THIS NEW SITE?
THAT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE APPLICANTS
I would ideally like to select the applicant in summer 2022 and get started on the project by Mid September 2022. This would mean that the website would be LIVE with either service by Mid October 2022!
HOWEVER, if there are not enough applicants by summer 2022, I will delay a bit.
ARE THERE ANY FEES WE HAVE TO COVER?
YES, THERE WILL BE SOME SMALL THINGS THAT I CANNOT COVER FOR YOU
This is not because my charity has run out but rather because legally, there are items that YOU need to hold. Please check out the FAQ below for those items.
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Squarespace account (you will need a business plan or higher - starting at $18 per month. If you pay annually, you get 20% off because you worked with me). BUT Wait to purchase the Squarespace plan AFTER we get started unless you already have a LIVE site.
Depending on your needs: I might direct you to some other add-ons and options that Squarespace offers internally that will work well for your charity.
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Domain/or url (if you dont already have one, you can get this thru Squarespace too) This is www.YOURCHARITY.org
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This will all be dependent on your data architecture for your individual charity + nonprofit. Feel free to sign up for my Toolbox here to see my suggested integrations for the best data flow and automations for charities specifically. If there are other integrations, plugins or wishlist items that I do not already have in my arsenal, you will need to purchase those.
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We will pull from your images + from free sources. READ ABOUT MY FAVORITE PLACES HERE. However, if you need specific images, those licenses you will need to keep and purchase on your own.
