WHY THE WEBWISH GRANT IS THE BEST GIFT FOR NONPROFITS AND MEET THIS YEAR'S WINNERS
As a nonprofit organization, you understand how challenging it can be to raise funds and compete for grants. Many nonprofits struggle to have a successful online presence that can help them connect with potential donors. However, with the WebWish Grant, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The WebWish Grant is a new program that offers nonprofits an opportunity to have a website that is fully functional and customized to fit their needs.
How about, we explore the details of this generous grant and why it's the perfect gift for nonprofits.
The WebWish Grant
Previously known as The Charity of the Year COTY, has existed for over a decade to help charities and nonprofits succeed with their missions. The WebWish Grant was launched to become a modern and effective solution for nonprofits who have nothing. This grant offers the opportunity to stop worrying about website design and development and instead, focus on the important work of your cause.
The Charity Design Co’s WebWish Grant offers an end-to-end solution that includes the development of a fully optimized, donor-focused website. This solution includes website design, content creation, SEO optimization, and even donor management and email marketing integration. In addition, it comes delivered on my favorite user-friendly content management system (CMS) Squarespace, which makes it easy to update and maintain your website, so you can get back to changing the world.
The WebWish Grant is available to all 501(c)(3) nonprofits that complete a grant application. The application process is simple, and the grant is awarded based on the applicant's mission, objectives, and needs as determined by the prior year’s winners in conjunction with the Owner of The Charity Design Co. If you are selected as the recipient, you will receive a new website, completely designed for your charity.
The WebWish Grant is a great opportunity for nonprofits to obtain a professionally designed, donor-focused website. With the WebWish Grant, your charity can focus on your mission, instead of worrying about what is going on the interwebs.
MEET THIS YEAR’S WINNERS
A.N.A.’s FRIENDS
Meet Jessica Stanfield - Executive Director of A.N.A.’s Friends
Did you start out with your cause? Why does it matter to you?
From the onset, my journey was steeped in social work, social justice, psychology, and child welfare. The realm of non-profits became my professional playground, where I discovered an unyielding passion for uniting communities with a shared mission and identifying champions who fervently support it to ensure its vitality. Though my trajectory didn’t initially center on this specific cause, my compass unfailingly directed me toward underserved populations, especially children enduring the harrowing realities of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Witnessing these injustices firsthand within our society, I found an unshakeable resolve to make a profound difference in their lives. My dedication to this cause is deeply personal. I've been intimately acquainted with its impact, having seen the profound effects of abuse and neglect on individuals who have been unfortunate victims. These children, through no fault of their own, have faced unfathomable circumstances, their innocence overshadowed by the cruelty of the world. The privilege of standing in a position to offer them a semblance of normalcy, eliciting smiles, and fostering hope in their lives is not just a professional duty but an unequivocal honor. It’s a humbling experience—one that continuously reinforces the importance of advocacy and intervention in the lives of these vulnerable souls. This cause resonates with me on a visceral level, igniting a fire within to tirelessly champion their cause. It's a pursuit where every small victory, every smile reclaimed from adversity, stands as a testament to the transformative power of compassion and community support.
What is your best advice for starting your charities online presence?
Crafting a robust online presence for your cause hinges on the narrative you present. It starts with cultivating a captivating story that defines your charity's essence. Ensure your message is explicit and precisely answers critical questions: Who is your charity? Whom do you serve? How do you make a difference in their lives? What specific impact do you create? This story forms the backbone of your online identity. Be prepared to articulate YOUR unique narrative, and once crafted, share it extensively across different online platforms to reach and engage with a broader audience. Stay honest, and genuine - be true to you!
What’s your best advice for scaling your charity online?
To expand and enhance your charity's online presence, leverage insights from your supporter base to strategize effectively - meet them where they are at. Simplify the online donation process by employing diverse donation collection methods and collaborating with influential personalities or groups to amplify outreach, especially those who believe in your mission like your volunteers. If you have the funds, allocate resources towards online advertising and campaigns to broaden your audience reach. Utilize technology for streamlined organization and consistent communication with your supporters. Foster collaborations with other charitable organizations to amplify your message, and share that partnership with the community; we are stronger together! Embrace innovation, continually learn, and remain receptive to fresh ideas to improve operations. As much as it may scare you, change CAN be good, and it can garnish more support for your organization. "That's the way we've always done it" doesn't always get it done!
What has the WebWish Grant process been like with The Charity Design Co?
The evolution of our journey has been nothing short inspiring. With the launch of our new website and the rejuvenation of our forward-facing brand, we've found ourselves immersed in sheer adoration for the transformative changes. The ease with which people now engage with our cause has been a catalyst for tremendous growth. We witness a daily influx of new members joining our mailing list, not just extending their support through donations but also actively seeking innovative ways to contribute, be it through volunteering initiatives or by participating in our outreach events. Dani's ingenious push to think beyond conventional norms nudged us out of our comfort zone, prompting an exploration of new ways to present our information, programs and impact. In retrospect, we're exuberantly grateful for this guidance, even if we weren't sure we would like it at first. The shift in perspective has sparked a newfound enthusiasm, even from our steadfast supporters, injecting a fresh wave of excitement surrounding our revamped online presence. One of the most empowering changes has been our newfound control over the website's management—from routine updates to seamlessly incorporating new features. This level of autonomy was previously a distant dream, but now it's a reality that enhances our ability to communicate effectively and stay dynamically connected with our audience, and saves us financial resources month to month. The entire journey, from conceptualization to implementation, has been a testament to our collective commitment and vision with Dani's support. The energy, excitement, and enthusiasm surrounding our newfound capabilities are palpable, and we're eagerly anticipating the boundless possibilities that lie ahead!
