WordPress for Nonprofits: From Themes to Custom Development

Imagine a small nonprofit organization eager to make a big impact. They’ve got the passion, the people, and the plan. However, their digital presence doesn’t quite match up. Like many nonprofits, they struggle with an outdated website that’s tough to navigate and fails to draw in visitors. In today’s digital-first world, a compelling online presence is essential—not just to stay afloat but to thrive. It’s about more than just a website; it’s about building a digital hub that embodies their mission, engages a broad audience, and drives fundraising and volunteer efforts. A well-crafted online platform can help turn a local initiative into a global movement, significantly boosting visibility and credibility.

Enter WordPress for nonprofits. This user-friendly, versatile platform enables organizations to establish and manage a vibrant online presence without overstretching their budget. This article explores how nonprofits can leverage WordPress to enhance their impact and outreach.

Benefits of WordPress for nonprofits

When nonprofit organizations assess their options for establishing or enhancing their online presence, WordPress stands out as an exceptionally beneficial choice. Here are the key benefits that make WordPress the ideal platform for nonprofits:

• Cost-effectiveness: Operating with often limited budgets, nonprofits need solutions that provide maximum impact with minimal investment. WordPress, being an open-source platform, is free to use. This dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for creating a professional online presence. Beyond its free nature, WordPress has an extensive range of free or low-cost themes and plugins which can add complex functions to a site without the need for custom coding.
• Ease of use: WordPress is renowned for its user-friendly interface. With intuitive dashboards and visual editors, WordPress simplifies content updates, article postings, and site management, making it accessible for volunteers or staff members without extensive technical knowledge.
• Extensive customization: Each nonprofit has unique needs and goals, and WordPress’s vast library of themes and plugins allows each organization to effectively tailor their site to reflect their brand and mission. Whether it’s adding event calendars, donation buttons, or volunteer signup forms, WordPress provides the tools to customize functionality to suit any requirement.

“While pre-built themes can save you time and money initially, they come with limitations that may not be conducive to modern business realities. As my experience shows, implementing new functionality and features usually takes more time here, and some tasks are generally rejected due to the impossibility of implementation.”

— Oleg Drahanchuk, Technical Lead in Project Unit, Beetroot

• Strong SEO capabilities: Visibility is crucial for nonprofits to attract donations, volunteers, and awareness to their causes. WordPress sites are structured in a way that is conducive to SEO best practices. With plugins like Yoast SEO, nonprofits can easily optimize their content and keywords to improve their visibility in search engine results, making it easier for potential supporters to find them.
• Robust security: Security is a top concern for any website, and nonprofits that handle sensitive information such as donor details must be particularly vigilant. WordPress offers strong security measures that can be further enhanced with plugins and regular updates. These tools help protect against data breaches and ensure the integrity of the site’s data.
• Vibrant community support: The WordPress community is one of the largest and most active web development communities in the world. This vibrant ecosystem provides nonprofits with countless resources, from free advice on forums and blogs to professional services from experienced developers. Additionally, the community continually develops new tools and functionalities that keep WordPress at the cutting edge of web technology.
• Scalability: As nonprofits grow and evolve, their website will likely need to scale with them. WordPress sites are inherently scalable, capable of expanding from a simple blog to a large site with thousands of pages and complex functionalities without a drop in performance.

Incorporating WordPress into your nonprofit’s digital strategy not only enhances your ability to engage with the community but also streamlines administrative tasks, allowing more resources to be focused on your core mission. With its blend of simplicity, power, and cost efficiency, WordPress is a strategic choice that can amplify the impact of any nonprofit.

Essential features for a nonprofit website

WordPress can offer nonprofits great functionality. To fully leverage the advantages of this platform, it’s crucial to incorporate essential features from the outset. Here are some must-have elements to include on your nonprofit website to ensure it meets your organization’s needs and engages your audience effectively.

Donation systems integration

A robust donation system is the backbone of any nonprofit website. Integrating platforms like PayPal, Stripe, or dedicated fundraising plugins such as GiveWP can make it easy for supporters to contribute financially. These systems should be user-friendly, secure, and capable of handling recurring donations. A streamlined donation process not only encourages more contributions but also builds trust with your donors.

Volunteer sign-up forms

Volunteers are often the lifeblood of nonprofits, providing invaluable support and resources. Including easy-to-use volunteer sign-up forms on your site can help you attract and organize volunteers more effectively. Plugins like WPForms or Gravity Forms can help you create customized forms to collect necessary information from potential volunteers, ensuring you have all the details needed to engage them effectively.

Event management and calendars

Hosting events is a crucial way for nonprofits to raise funds, build community, and spread awareness. Integrating event management tools and calendars can streamline the process of organizing and promoting events. Tools like The Events Calendar or Event Espresso can help you create, manage, and display events on your site, making it easy for visitors to find and register for upcoming activities.

Blog and news sections

Keeping your audience informed with the latest news and updates is essential for maintaining engagement and transparency. A dedicated blog or news section on your nonprofit website allows you to share stories, report on progress, and provide updates on ongoing projects. Regularly updated content not only keeps your supporters in the loop but also improves your site’s SEO, making it easier for new visitors to find you.

Social media integration

Social media is a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience and building a community around your cause. Integrating social media buttons and feeds into your website enables visitors to easily share your content and follow your updates on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Plugins like Smash Balloon or Simple Social Icons can help you seamlessly incorporate social media elements into your site, boosting your online presence and engagement.

Best themes for nonprofits

When creating a nonprofit website on WordPress, the theme you choose plays a crucial role in defining your site’s appearance, functionality, and user experience. A good theme can significantly enhance your website’s effectiveness, helping you better engage with your audience, attract donors, and manage events seamlessly. It’s essential to find a theme that aligns with your nonprofit’s goals, offers robust features, and is easy to customize. With numerous WordPress themes for nonprofits available, selecting the right one can transform your online presence and amplify your organization’s impact. 

Criteria for choosing the right theme

• Responsive design: Ensure the theme is fully responsive, meaning it looks and functions well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This is essential for providing a seamless user experience and improving your site’s search engine rankings.
• Customization options: Look for themes that offer extensive customization options, such as multiple color schemes, font choices, and layout settings. This allows you to tailor the theme to match your nonprofit’s branding and mission.
• Support and documentation: Choose a theme that comes with reliable support and comprehensive documentation. This is crucial for troubleshooting any issues and getting the most out of your theme’s features.
• Integration with key plugins: Make sure the theme supports essential plugins for nonprofits, such as donation systems, event management tools, and social media integration. This enhances the functionality of your site and helps you achieve your organizational goals.
• SEO optimization: Select a theme that is optimized for search engines to improve your site’s visibility and attract more visitors. Features like clean code, fast loading times, and built-in SEO tools can make a significant difference in your site’s performance.
• User reviews and ratings: Check user reviews and ratings to gauge the reliability and performance of the theme. Feedback from other nonprofit organizations can provide valuable insights into the theme’s strengths and weaknesses.

Choosing the right theme for your nonprofit website is crucial for creating an engaging and functional online presence. A good theme can enhance user experience, improve site navigation, and reflect your organization’s mission and values. Here are some of the best WordPress themes for nonprofits.

Popular nonprofit WordPress themes

Top Charity

Top Charity is a highly customizable theme designed specifically for nonprofits. It comes with multiple homepage layouts, donation systems integration, and event management features. The theme is SEO-friendly and fully responsive, ensuring your site looks great on all devices.

Download Top Charity

GivingPress Lite

GivingPress is a versatile theme offering built-in tools for fundraising, donor management, and event planning. It features a modern design with customization options to match your brand. The theme includes demo content to help you get started quickly.

Download GivingPress Lite

Benevolent

Benevolent is an easy to use and flexible theme that provides features like a donation system, events calendar, and custom post types for projects, staff, and sermons. It’s perfect for churches, NGOs, and charities looking to create a professional online presence.

Download Benevolent

Charity

Charity is designed to help nonprofits raise funds and awareness for their causes. The theme offers donation forms, event management, and a responsive design. It’s easy to customize with a variety of color schemes and fonts.

Download Charity

Nonprofit Organization

Nonprofit is a straightforward, easy-to-use theme that comes with features like donation integration, event management, and custom widgets. It’s perfect for small to medium-sized nonprofits looking to establish a strong online presence without complex setups.

Download Nonprofit Organization

By choosing the right theme, you can create a nonprofit website that is not only visually appealing but also highly functional and tailored to your organization’s specific needs. Whether you’re looking to attract more donors, manage events, or share your latest news, these themes provide the tools you need to succeed.

Best plugins for nonprofits

In the world of WordPress, plugins are the secret sauce that adds functionality and customization to your website. For nonprofits, plugins can be a game-changer, allowing you to enhance your site without needing advanced technical skills. From managing donations to optimizing your site for search engines, plugins are crucial for creating a robust online presence. Let’s dive into some essential plugins that every nonprofit should consider.

GiveWP

This powerful donation plugin helps nonprofits manage their online fundraising efforts. GiveWP provides customizable donation forms, donation management, and donor reporting.

Download GiveWP

Charitable

Charitable offers a user-friendly way to create donation campaigns. It supports various payment gateways and provides tools for tracking donations and managing donors.

Download Charitable

Yoast SEO

To attract more visitors to your nonprofit’s website, optimizing your content for search engines is essential. Yoast SEO guides you through improving your SEO by providing real-time analysis and suggestions.

Download Yoast SEO

The Events Calendar

This plugin is perfect for nonprofits that host events. It allows you to create and manage events, display them in a calendar view, and sell tickets if needed.

Download The Events Calendar

Wordfence Security

Protecting your nonprofit’s website from cyber threats is crucial. Wordfence Security offers comprehensive protection with features like firewall, malware scanning, and login security.

Download Wordfence Security

Additional useful plugins

• Membership management plugins: For nonprofits with a membership component, plugins like MemberPress can help manage memberships, subscriptions, and access to exclusive content.
• Contact form plugins (Contact Form 7): This plugin is essential for creating customizable contact forms to engage with your visitors. It’s simple to use and highly flexible.
• Analytics plugins (Google Analytics Dashboard for WP): Understanding your website’s traffic is key to making informed decisions. This plugin integrates Google Analytics directly into your WordPress dashboard, giving you valuable insights into your site’s performance.
• WooCommerce for nonprofits: If your nonprofit sells merchandise or needs an online store, WooCommerce is a powerful e-commerce solution. It integrates seamlessly with WordPress and can be customized to fit the needs of nonprofits.

Keep in mind that the best free themes and plugins for nonprofits are tailored specifically to the needs of charities and other nonprofit organizations. These resources can help you create a professional and functional website without a hefty price tag. Explore the options available in the WordPress repository to find the perfect fit for your team.

When to consider custom development

While WordPress offers a plethora of themes and plugins, there are times when a nonprofit might need more tailored solutions to meet its unique needs. Custom development can be a game-changer in these situations, providing specific functionalities and integrations that off-the-shelf options may not offer.

Custom development allows nonprofits to create solutions tailored specifically to their operations and goals. This can include custom CRM for nonprofits to manage donor relationships more effectively or specialized donation processes that align perfectly with the organization’s fundraising strategies. By investing in custom development, nonprofits can build a website that truly reflects their mission and enhances their digital presence.

Examples of custom solutions:

• Integrating specific CRM systems: A nonprofit might require integration with a specific CRM system that is not supported by standard plugins. Custom development can seamlessly integrate CRM, allowing for better data management and donor relationship tracking.
• Tailored donation processes: Standard donation plugins may not meet all the needs of a nonprofit. Custom development can create a donation process that includes unique features like recurring donations, specific donor categories, or personalized thank-you messages, enhancing the donor experience.
• WordPress volunteer management: Managing volunteers efficiently is crucial for nonprofits. Custom development can integrate advanced volunteer management systems into the website, enabling better scheduling, communication, and tracking of volunteer activities.

When considering custom development, it’s important to choose the right development team or agency.

Working with developers

When considering custom development, it’s important to choose the right development team or agency. Look for developers who have experience working with nonprofits, as they will better understand the specific needs and challenges your organization faces. Developers need to understand your mission and goals to work effectively. This understanding will help them create solutions that align with your organization’s vision and enhance its impact. Review the developer’s portfolio and ask for references. Seeing examples of their previous work and hearing from past clients can provide insight into their capabilities and reliability.

Important considerations with a development team

Budget and timeline: Be clear about your budget and timeline from the start. Custom development can be more costly and time-consuming than using standard themes and plugins, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

Ongoing support and maintenance: Custom solutions will require ongoing support and maintenance. Discuss these needs with the development team to ensure they can provide the necessary support post-launch.

Scalability and flexibility: Ensure that the custom solution is scalable and flexible enough to grow with your organization. This is especially important for WordPress for charities that might expand their operations and need additional functionalities in the future.

By considering custom development, nonprofits can create a WordPress site that not only meets their current needs but is also equipped to support their future growth. This approach ensures a unique, professional, and highly functional website that stands out and effectively supports the organization’s mission.

“Ultimately, the choice between custom development and pre-built themes depends on the website’s specific needs, budget, and timeline available. Custom development may be the best option if customization and unique features are important. However, a pre-built theme may be more suitable if time and budget are the primary considerations.”

— Oleg Draganchuk, Technical Lead in Project Unit, Beetroot

Beetroot’s approach to custom development

At Beetroot, we have a sweet spot for cooperating with clients whose values match ours. As a company deeply committed to social impact, we understand the unique needs of non-profit organizations.

One case is the GRB Project, a Ukrainian initiative dedicated to promoting gender equality through effective public fund allocation. While we can’t share many case studies, whether they involve websites for nonprofits or other company profiles due to NDA agreements, here are some client testimonials about working with us. 

Leverage custom solutions for your nonprofit website

WordPress is an exceptional platform for nonprofits, offering a blend of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and robust community support. By choosing the right themes and essential plugins, nonprofits can create engaging, functional websites from scratch and consider custom web development further down their journey.

Additionally, integrating AI into nonprofit websites can help enhance functionality and engagement. AI-driven tools can personalize user experiences, streamline donation processes, and improve volunteer management, making operations more efficient and effective. Using AI and custom development ensures that nonprofit websites not only serve as digital hubs but also drive greater impact and reach in fulfilling their missions.

Looking to build a secure, visually-appealing, fast, and reliable WordPress site? Explore our WordPress services to see how we can help turn your digital presence into something truly impactful.