The Shenandoah Community Foundation is dedicated to supporting charitable initiatives, grant and scholarship opportunities, and community engagement efforts. However, their previous website lacked modern functionality, intuitive navigation, and a user-friendly experience. To better serve their audiences, they required a full website redesign to enhance usability, accessibility, and visual appeal across all devices.
Objectives
- Enhanced User Experience – Create an intuitive, easy-to-navigate website that appeals to a diverse audience, including current and potential donors, grant and scholarship applicants, and community members.
- User-Friendly Experience – Ensure seamless navigation and easy access to key resources.
- Improved Content Organization – Clearly categorize information for different audience groups.
- Mobile Responsiveness – Optimize the site for performance on all screen sizes.
- Modern Design – Update the website with a fresh, contemporary design that aligns with the Foundation’s brand and mission.
- Engaging Visual Design – Establish a modern, appealing aesthetic that aligns with the foundation’s mission.
- Enhanced Functionality – Integrate features to support donations, applications, and community engagement.
Key Audiences & Tailored Features
The website was designed with the following primary audiences in mind:
- Donors (Current and Potential): Easily accessible donation portals, impact stories, and ways to give.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Information on grant opportunities, funding criteria, and application processes.
- Students & School Personnel: Dedicated scholarship sections with application guidelines and deadlines.
- Professional Advisors: Resources for estate planning and philanthropic advising.
Solutions Implemented
- Redesigned Site Architecture – A clear, structured layout to improve information flow.
- Custom WordPress Theme – A modern, branded design that aligns with the foundation’s identity.
- Interactive Features – Donation call-to-action buttons, grant application forms, and scholarship search functionality.
- Content Management Enhancements – A streamlined back-end system for easy updates by the Foundation’s staff.
- SEO & Accessibility Optimization – Enhanced searchability and WCAG-compliant design for inclusivity.
Results & Impact
- Improved User Engagement: Increased time spent on site and lower bounce rates.
- Higher Donation Conversions: A more intuitive giving experience has led to increased donor participation.
- Simplified Grant & Scholarship Applications: Students and nonprofit organizations can now access and apply for opportunities more efficiently.
- Enhanced Community Engagement: The website serves as a central hub for foundation updates, news, and upcoming initiatives.
The Shenandoah Community Foundation’s new website successfully fulfills its mission of providing an accessible, engaging, and functional online presence for its key audiences. With a fresh design and improved user experience, the foundation is better equipped to connect with donors, nonprofits, students, and professional advisors, fostering long-term community support and impact.