5 Great Nonprofit Website Examples That Inspire Action

Well-designed websites have become a vital tool for nonprofit organizations to share their work and amplify their impact on their communities. Websites act as digital front doors – they create a powerful first impression on supporters, volunteers, and donors alike, and we can all agree that first impressions count. 

However, the best nonprofit websites don’t just go all in on the visuals. They also offer intuitive functionality, clear navigation, fast loading times, and much more, enabling visitors to quickly grasp the mission. These sites aim to engage visitors emotionally through stories that resonate with people and even strategically guide them towards actions such as donating or simply spreading awareness. 

In this article, we’ve gathered some stellar nonprofit website examples that brilliantly combine design with functionality to make a real difference to their cause. 

Nonprofit Website Design, Explained

When it comes to the design of nonprofit websites, navigation plays a key role. You’ll notice that almost, if not all, websites we’ll present here will have a header that serves both navigational and conversional purposes. It’s usually reserved for the “About Us” section, where users can find more details about the organization, its core values, mission, and vision. 

The navigation bar features call-to-action buttons that prompt visitors to donate or get involved in the organization’s activities. In addition to navigation, visuals are not to be overlooked. Impactful photos from past actions, data on the impact of their work, links to ongoing initiatives, and testimonials from participants and beneficiaries instill trust among users.  

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best nonprofit website examples that tick all the boxes mentioned above. 

1. Re:Coded

Re:Coded is an international nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of young individuals from underserved communities and refugees affected by conflicts by providing education and training in digital skills such as software development, product design, and others. 

As admirable as their mission is, their previous website wasn’t a match for that due to the inherent WordPress limitations and issues with design and functionality. Luckily, FlowNinja came to the rescue and redesigned and rebuilt the site not only to make it more visually compelling and accessible but also to empower Re: Coded’s marketing team. Now, they can take care of content updates and launch campaigns in-house, with no developer involvement required. 

One of the most noticeable improvements is how clean and intuitive the layout is. For instance, the homepage immediately presents their mission in bold text and high-impact visuals of students at work, so there’s a strong emotional and visual connection to be made right from the start.

The site’s accessibility is also thoughtfully considered. Clear type hierarchies, high-contrast color palettes, and generous spacing between elements on the page create a smooth experience across devices and screen sizes. 

The structure of the site also deserves a mention. It is strategically designed to serve both donors and student applicants. For donors, the “Donate” CTA is visible in the primary navigation and reinforced with call-to-action buttons throughout the site. For students, the pathways are equally accessible. The “Start Learning” section is given prominent placement on the main navigation bar, where students can find all the courses currently offered. 

2. WWF – World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund has been around for more than 60 years, protecting wildlife and empowering communities to conserve natural resources so that species can thrive. What contributes to that success is definitely their website design, which is why we feature it as one of the top nonprofit website examples out there. 

The visuals of endangered animals and natural habitats immediately draw users in, while headlines like “Our Work in Action” use news updates and blog stories to showcase WWF’s global efforts in real time.

Additionally, there is the educational content, which holds a prominent position on the homepage. Currently, it features a spotlight on food waste, adding depth and relevance to the current environmental challenges communities around the world face. 

Navigation is completely purpose-driven. Take the clear calls to action like the red Donate button and Adopt an Animal link in the top right corner of the homepage that ensure users can support WWF’s mission at any point. The donation process is straightforward, whether you want to make a donation, renew your membership, or join as a partner in conservation. 

The trust signals are also there. The “About Us” section also offers financial reports, as well as wildlife stories, campaigns, and educational resources, all organized flawlessly. 

3. Memphis Zoo

The Memphis Zoo isn’t just any ol’ place to see animals. It’s a nonprofit rooted in the conservation of wildlife and education. Their website effectively reflects this mission, and all sections fit together beautifully. First up, there’s practical information, such as ticketing and hours, along with rich storytelling about their wildlife efforts and sustainability work, all conveniently placed in the main navigational menu. 

In fact, the “Plan Your Adventure” CTA button has a sticky feature, so it stays with you as you scroll the website, allowing you to always find all the information about admissions, special events, and more. Whether you’re booking a field trip, buying tickets, or checking out animal cams, it’s all just a few clicks away.

The site also excels in local SEO and community engagement. You’ll find clear calls to action for memberships, volunteering, and upcoming events, especially on that “Plan Your Adventure” section. There’s also a steady flow of local press mentions and blog updates under the News section, where visitors can stay up to date with the latest from the zoo. 

4. Radiating Hope

Radiating Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to radiation oncology, to improve cancer care globally, primarily through the provision of radiation equipment. It’s an entirely volunteer-run organization, and the biggest twist is that they focus on curing cancer through mountain climbing activities. 

The funds come from several different sources. People can purchase mountain climbing packages and join Radiating Hope on adventures of a lifetime. They can also attend our events to show their support or donate to help improve cancer care. Lastly, they can volunteer and contribute by helping with a hands-on approach. 

The site makes it easy to get involved. It’s all streamlined to reduce friction and encourage action through the three main sticky buttons — “About”, “Events”, and “Get Involved” that follow you throughout the website. 

Trust is built throughout, with strong signals, such as in the Inspirational Stories section, where patients and physicians share their journeys. However, the most impactful element is the donation segment embedded in the middle of the homepage, powered by Givebutter, one of the world’s leading fundraising platforms. 

5. No Fishing

No-fishing.net is Sea Shepherd’s website that informs about the campaign to save the ocean from fishing nets and protect marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd is a nonprofit organization that fights Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and all those poachers that break the law. 

Their No-fishing.net website is a masterpiece of design. The centerpiece is an interactive element in the form of a globe, where users can click on different sections to find out about all the current actions. There are also links to the project itself and information about the state of marine life, with all the innocent animals being killed by these fishing nets. 

The main site of Sea Shepherd is also linked on No-fishing.net, where you can learn about their fleet of ships chasing poachers worldwide, ways to get involved, donate, and other relevant information, all right on the header. The header has that sticky function, so you are always one click or tap away from the main navigation. Videos running in the background are a nice touch and enhance the already great visual appeal of the site. 

How We Picked the Best Nonprofit Website Examples

With all those great nonprofit website examples out there, picking the very best was no easy pickings, pardon the pun. This is how our criteria work. 

• Clear mission-driven messaging: The site should instantly communicate the organization’s purpose in a way that resonates with both new and returning visitors.
• Strong emotional storytelling and compelling imagery: Visuals and narratives should evoke empathy and connection since that’s how you get people to relate and engage with your cause. 
• Trust-building elements: Displaying impact statistics, donor or partner logos, certifications, and financial transparency builds user confidence.
• Seamless donation/user journey with strategic CTAs: Donations are how nonprofits make their living, and sign-up paths should be intuitive, with CTAs placed where user intent is highest.
• Accessibility and mobile responsiveness: The site must be easy to navigate for all users, including those on mobile devices and those using assistive technologies.
• Technical performance: Fast loading times are a crucial part of a website’s technical performance and are vital for user experience and sending Google the right signals about site performance overall. In fact, so are secure connections and adherence to web best practices, which is why we looked at all these before reaching a verdict. 
• Content structure that balances programs, education, and fundraising: Nonprofits shouldn’t seem like they are out there just to get your money. Information should be organized so that users can explore initiatives, learn, and contribute in ways beyond just financial ones.
• SEO and long-term content scalability: The site should support content growth through blogs, regular news updates, and campaign pages. In turn, these should enhance the site's visibility on SERPs. 
• Brand consistency and values-driven design tone: As mentioned in the text, design, tone, and visuals should be cohesive elements that consistently reflect the organization’s values and personality, regardless of the page. 

Conclusion

There’s only one way great nonprofit websites turn visitors into committed supporters, and that’s by clearly sharing their mission, steadily building trust through transparency, and using storytelling to talk about those who need our help the most. If you want a nonprofit website that truly connects and makes an impact, Flow Ninja is your destination. We’ve built high-performing nonprofit websites, such as Re:Coded, that help organizations expand their reach and motivate visitors to join their cause. Put us to the test and see your cause reach new heights.