Web Design for Non-Profit Organizations

You started your non-profit because you care about something bigger than yourself. You’re fighting for a cause, serving a community, or solving a problem that most people don’t even think about. But here’s the challenge: none of that matters if people can’t find you, don’t understand what you do, or can’t figure out how to help.

Your website is the first place most people will learn about your organization. Donors check it before they give. Volunteers check it before they sign up. Grant reviewers check it before they fund you. If your site looks outdated or confusing, it undermines all the good work you’re doing in the real world.

At Lakeside Web Design, we build websites for non-profits in Milwaukee, Chicago, and across the Midwest. We understand that your budget is tight, your time is limited, and every dollar needs to count. That’s exactly why we focus on building sites that work hard for your mission.

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What a Non-Profit Website Needs to Do

A non-profit website has a different job than a business website. You’re not just selling a product. You’re asking people to believe in something and take action. Here’s what that looks like when it’s done right:

• Tell your story clearly: Your mission should be obvious within seconds of landing on the homepage. We design pages that lead with impact, not with jargon. Real stories, real numbers, real people.
• Make donating easy: If someone has to click through three pages and fill out a complicated form to donate, most of them won’t. We integrate donation platforms that make giving quick and painless, on desktop and mobile.
• Volunteer and event sign-ups: Clear calls to action for volunteering, attending events, or joining your email list. Every page should have a next step that moves someone closer to your cause.
• Show your impact: Donors want to know their money is making a difference. We build pages with impact stats, annual report highlights, and program outcomes that show the real results of your work.
• Build credibility: Board members, partnerships, media mentions, financial transparency. We put the right trust signals in the right places so supporters feel confident about backing your organization.
• ADA compliance: Non-profit websites need to be accessible to everyone. We follow WCAG guidelines to make sure your site works for visitors with disabilities.

Getting Found: SEO for Non-Profits

Your cause deserves visibility. When someone searches “volunteer opportunities Milwaukee” or “food pantry near me” or “how to donate to local charities,” your organization should be showing up. Search engine optimization makes that happen.

We build every non-profit site with SEO in mind:

• Pages optimized for the keywords donors and volunteers are actually searching for
• Local SEO so your organization shows up in community-based searches
• Content strategy that positions you as an authority in your space
• Google Business Profile optimization for local visibility

And here’s something many non-profits don’t know: Google offers up to $10,000/month in free advertising through the Google Ad Grants program for qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. We can help you apply and set up campaigns that drive real traffic to your site at zero cost.

We Understand Non-Profit Budgets

We know non-profits don’t have the same budgets as corporate clients. And we don’t think that should mean you get a lesser website. We work with organizations of all sizes to find approaches that fit their budget while still delivering something they’re proud to share with donors, partners, and the community.

Whether you need a full website redesign or just a cleanup of what you have, we’ll be honest about what will make the biggest impact for your budget. No upsells, no fluff.

Milwaukee and Chicago Non-Profits Trust Lakeside

We’re a Midwest agency that works with Midwest organizations. We know the local non-profit landscape, the grant cycles, the fundraising seasons, and the community events that drive engagement. That context shows up in every site we build.

We’ve helped organizations across the region build online presences that drive more donations, attract more volunteers, and spread their mission further. Check out our customer stories to see how.

Let’s Build Something That Serves Your Mission

Your cause is important. Your website should reflect that. Let’s create something that tells your story, connects with supporters, and makes it easy for people to get involved.