Community Volunteer Org Website

Raising awareness, adding volunteers, and making the donation process easy for a local non-profit.

SHIP Website

Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County (SHIP)

SHIP is a volunteer, non-profit organization that addresses urgent needs of hundreds of Frederick County, Maryland K–12 public school students experiencing homelessness.

I volunteered to plan, design, and develop a website to raise awareness, attract volunteers, and simplify the donation process. I also wrote a user/style guide for their team. Giving back to the community through design was immensely rewarding.

The custom WordPress theme was developed from scratch using Unsemantic CSS Framework as the grid. For more about the project, see the mini SHIP Case Study.

Design Process for SHIP

1Research & Content

SHIP provided me with statistics on area poverty rates, background information, the logo, and site content. I researched non-profits and assembled a photo board for inspiration.

SHIP website research and content

2Wireframes

Using content from the team, I designed wireframes to address their goals and show layout and navigation flow. I also implemented ideas to improve messaging and user engagement.

SHIP wireframes

3Page Design & Development

After wireframing, reviewing ideas with the team, and making changes, I created the visual design around their content. I was inspired by their existing logo and used motivational stock imagery to protect children’s identities.

SHIP - Home Page
Home Page
SHIP - Join With Us Page
Purpose - Join With Us
SHIP - News and Events Page
News and Events
SHIP - Contact Page
Contact

4User/Style Guide

Post-launch, I designed and wrote a user/style guide outlining design attributes and how to make updates and gather form submissions. I also included their server and Google Analytics information so they would have it in one place.

SHIP - User/Style Guide

Website Goals

  • Design a responsive, user-friendly website for the public to provide information about SHIP and how they help.
  • Feature a list of fundraising events to engage the community.
  • Serve as an effective way to build a list of volunteers through online sign-ups.
  • Make it easy for contributors to donate money online.

Results Achieved

  • Instant increase in overall website traffic.
  • Significant increase in monetary donations.
  • Increase in Facebook page likes, follows, and organic reach.
  • Increase in signups for volunteer contact list.
  • Featured in local newspapers, magazines, and television.
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