In the digital era, where almost every organization, from small businesses to global corporations, strives to build an online presence, this also applies to foundations and non-profit organizations. A website for a foundation is not just a business card on the web but, above all, a powerful tool that can significantly increase the visibility and reach of the foundation’s activities, build trust among donors, and facilitate communication with volunteers and beneficiaries. Have you ever wondered why some foundations succeed in their mission faster and more effectively than others? There are many factors, but one of them is undoubtedly a good website. In this article, I’ll guide you on how to create one.
Clear Mission of the Foundation
Your foundation’s website should clearly communicate its mission and goals, so visitors can quickly understand what you do and what your main priorities are. While the objectives and mission of the organization are described in the statutes, not everyone will search for this information in such a formal document. Therefore, it’s important for them to be easily accessible and understandable on the homepage.
Clearly presenting the mission and goals helps establish an immediate connection between your organization and potential supporters. When visitors immediately see the values you represent and the goals you want to achieve, they are more likely to engage and support your efforts. Transparency in communication also increases the foundation’s trust and credibility, which is crucial in building long-term relationships with donors and volunteers. So, make sure the foundation’s mission and goals are presented simply, inspiringly, and memorably, both through text and visual elements on the website.
Donation Payment System
Make it easy for people who want to support your organization to make donations. A quick link to donate – ideally with a few ready suggestions for typical amounts – increases the likelihood that a visitor will decide to contribute. Prepare a solution that allows for fast online payment processing. Choose from popular payment operators such as PayU, Przelewy24, or WP PAY to receive donations from supporters in a simple and secure way. A plugin can be integrated into the website to increase its functionality and support fundraising efforts.
By offering various payment methods, donors can choose the most convenient option, significantly increasing the ease and trust in the donation process. Payment security is crucial, so it’s worth investing in proven systems that ensure the protection of donors’ personal and financial data.
Additionally, the plugin allows for setting up personalized emails for donors, facilitating effective communication with supporters. You can also set up a thank-you page that appears after a donation is made, further strengthening the bond with donors and building their loyalty.
Visible 1.5% Tax Section
A significant source of support for foundations comes from the 1.5% tax donation during the annual tax settlement. That’s why it’s essential to prominently display the KRS number of the non-governmental organization to make it easy for those interested to find all the necessary information and encourage them to provide support in this form. Allocating 1.5% of tax does not reduce the amount of tax, but simply redirects a portion of it to those in need instead of the state treasury. This way, the taxpayer can personally influence the social cause their money supports.
To maximize the chances of receiving this support, design a clear, easily visible section on your website. The KRS number must be easy to find and highlighted, and the entire process of donating 1.5% tax should be clearly explained. Adding a short, inspiring description of how these funds help fulfill the foundation’s mission can further encourage visitors to contribute. Remember that by donating 1.5% of their tax, taxpayers have a real impact on supporting causes they care about, giving them a sense of participating in positive social changes.
Forms
Cooperation with volunteers is a key element of a foundation’s operations and similar organizations. To simplify the recruitment process and encourage interested individuals to collaborate, good websites for non-profit organizations should include a simple and intuitive contact form. This form allows volunteer candidates to quickly and easily leave their contact information, significantly simplifying the application process for the foundation.
Ensuring the security of personal data and the website is crucial, so it’s worth using protections such as reCAPTCHA or an SSL certificate. This ensures candidates that their data is stored securely and in accordance with applicable regulations. It also helps prevent spam and fake forms filled out by bots. Including such a form on the website not only facilitates the organization’s recruitment of new volunteers but also builds trust and enhances the professional image of the foundation.
Foundation Website: Projects, People, News
The projects carried out by the foundation should be the central element of its website to effectively capture the attention of visitors. Clearly highlighting the projects in a visually appealing way allows the organization’s activities to be presented comprehensively and credibly in the eyes of viewers. Posting photos and documentation of individual initiatives can further increase trust and engagement from visitors.
Behind every non-profit organization are specific people – volunteers, board members, and celebrities supporting the foundation with their image. Their involvement should be clearly highlighted, for example, through a section presenting profiles of the management and collaborators. A credible website for a foundation is one where there is a lot of activity. Regularly publishing news about the organization’s activities, enriched with photos, is essential. Therefore, it’s worth creating a separate section for news and providing an easy-to-use content editing panel that allows publishing even by those with little technical knowledge. This keeps the site dynamic and engaging, attracting more support and interest in the foundation.
Visibility of Sponsors on the Website
Organizations that provide funding for projects expect the foundation to properly inform the public about their support. The visibility of sponsors on the website is crucial in promotional activities. Grant providers want to see their logo on flyers, posters, and the foundation’s website, which is often a requirement included in the financial support agreement. To meet these expectations, foundations must place sponsor logos in visible spots on their website.
Grant providers usually provide detailed instructions and offer all necessary logo versions, including those in appropriate resolutions and formats required for graphic projects. Documents, such as contracts and manuals, specify the rules for informing about support and are available on the grant providers’ websites. Ensuring that sponsor logos are visible and compliant with guidelines not only fulfills the contract terms but also builds positive relationships with grant providers, potentially leading to further support in the future.
Google Ad Grants Campaigns
Google Ad Grants is a unique initiative where Google supports non-profit organizations by offering them an advertising budget of up to $10,000 per month for search engine ads. The program is also available to Polish non-profit organizations, offering a unique opportunity for free promotion of their activities.
Funding from Google Ad Grants is part of the broader Google for Nonprofits program, which provides non-profits with access to free versions of various Google products, such as YouTube for Nonprofits, Google Earth and Maps, and Google Workspace. To benefit from the grant, the organization must have an updated statute and KRS excerpt, actively engage in charitable activities, and enjoy a good reputation. The organization’s website must comply with Google’s requirements, be substantive, and not focused on profit. I have experience in obtaining grants from Google, so if you want funding for a campaign, feel free to call or write!
Even though a foundation is not profit-oriented, that doesn’t mean marketing doesn’t apply. If you want to promote your non-profit, attract volunteers, donations, and sponsors, it’s worth investing in a good website.
Looking for technical support? Call or write – I collaborate with web developers, graphic designers, copywriters, SEO specialists, and Google and Facebook Ads experts. I also manage Google Ad Grants campaigns – I’ll take comprehensive care of your foundation’s online image.
