5 Non-profit Organization Homepages That Make You Hold On To Your Money Instead of Donating

Explore common pitfalls to avoid in non-profit homepages to ensure your site captivates and motivates potential donors.

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    In the world of philanthropy, where every click could lead to a generous donation, the power of a well-crafted homepage cannot be underestimated. Yet, not all non-profits manage to hit the mark.

    While many organizations strive to create compelling online spaces that inspire visitors to open their hearts and wallets, others inadvertently achieve the opposite. It’s a delicate balance between invoking empathy and action, and missing the mark can mean the difference between support and skepticism.

    As we explore the digital doorsteps of various non-profits, we uncover five notable examples where, despite good intentions, their homepages might leave potential donors clutching their credit cards a little tighter, pondering if their contributions would truly make an impact.

    HAP

    To start with I want to be fair and mention that above the fold, they didn’t do too bad. It’s clean, it’s clear and I already get an idea of what this organization is about. However, immediately after I scroll down that’s when I start to question what this website is for.

    Where’s the info about who they support? What numbers have they to show for in terms of what they have done so far? Is this a Hmong support org or a health insurance sign-up homepage?

    This is why information selection is important. Don’t assume that everyone who visits your page is fully aware of who you are and what you do.

    Solid Ground

    For this homepage I won’t comment so much on the homepage design itself as I think it’s really not that bad. Where I feel it falls short on, is what content they are pushing as priority. Why is it more important about who the new director is?

    There’s good stories told in thumbnails and video titles, but this could have been pushed up higher in the content priority and visualized with easy to read text summaries as well as engaging visuals. Everything else they did quite okay.

    However, if they tried to follow how these non-profit homepages did their info placement, they could definitely be out of this list.

    Power Forward Utah

    Text after text after text after text. It’ll take me a good portion of my time to carefully read what this is all about. There’s a section on this homepage that has some sort of visualization and key details about the cause but even that wasn’t really clear to read with the overlapping content.

    Some good from their homepage are the numerously present donate buttons to encourage engagement. It’s just sad that some people might take one look at the numerous things they need to read and simply close the page thinking “Eh, maybe not today.”

    Understanding Us

    If at the end of scrolling a homepage you still don’t know what the organization does, then there’s some serious reconsideration that needs to be done. This is what I experienced for this page. Is it a Tai Chi program? Are they offering classes?

    It wasn’t until I clicked on their about us did I learn what they stood for. Above the fold they could have started with an image banner with text that says “We are a non-profit organization providing support to the homeless in Salt Lake City.”

    It’s ironic that the name is “Understanding Us” but I didn’t really understand their cause from going through their homepage.

    Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue

    Please don’t use your homepage’s welcome banner section, as an events billboard. If you’re focused on just making the website for internal use, then yes that’s fine. But if you’re trying to get more people who are new to your advocacy, to donate then don’t miss the opportunity to be creative and effective.

    Above the fold is one of the most crucial sections that can encourage a reader to scroll on or close the page. You want to have a message or an image that connects with the reader just as the homepage loads.

    If you are unsure what to put on your homepage, we have an Xtreme Homepage Makeover guide you can download for free.

    A Better Homepage for A Stronger Cause

    Our journey through these five non-profit homepages reveals a spectrum of missed opportunities and lessons in digital engagement. From the cluttered and confusing to the vaguely informative, each example underscores the critical need for clarity, compelling storytelling, and immediate engagement.

    As non-profits strive to capture the hearts and minds of potential donors, the key lies in presenting a clear, impactful message right from the first click. Let these examples be a call to action for non-profits everywhere: your homepage is not just a digital front door; it’s the beginning of a relationship with those who can help you make a difference.

    Crafting it with care, precision, and a deep understanding of your audience is not just beneficial—it’s essential for turning interest into action.

    Johnn Mendoza

    Johnn is a bird lover, freediver, and bookworm. He has been blogging since 2005 and enjoys learning about new technologies that helps society progress.

    Also from the Pros...

    What is a citation and why it matters in SEO

    If you’re trying to increase the visibility of your business online, especially locally, you’ve probably come across the term “citation.” But what exactly is an SEO citation, and why is it important? Let’s break it down simply. What Exactly Is an SEO Citation? In SEO (Search Engine Optimization), a citation refers to any online mention...
    Read More

    How to Make Your Website Show Up in ChatGPT

    Ever wondered why your website isn't mentioned by ChatGPT? Unlike traditional search engines, ChatGPT references websites differently—through training data or Bing-powered browsing. Here’s your complete guide to optimizing your website for better visibility in ChatGPT results.
    Read More

    How Google Search AI Overview Works

     If you’ve been using Google, you will notice that a lot of times, you don’t need to click open websites because there’s a summarized answer just below the Google search bar. These are called “Generative AI Snapshots” or Search Generative Experience (SGE). Instead of just listing webpages, Google provides a concise, AI-generated summary at the...
    Read More

    How Will Websites Look in an AI-Dominated Era?

    As AI technology becomes more accessible, websites are poised for a radical shift—less scrolling through static pages and more interactive, real-time conversations. In this article, we’ll explore how these AI-driven sites work, why knowledge bases and chatbots are essential, and how your business can thrive in an AI-dominated era. If you’re aiming to offer a next-level online experience, read on to see what the web could look like in just five years—and why starting now might give you a serious competitive edge.
    Read More

    Chatbots On Websites Have Always Been Around, What’s Different Now in 2025?

    Chatbots have long been the trusty pop-up helpers on business websites, but in 2025, powerful AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) are taking them to a whole new level. Gone are the days of rigid, pre-scripted answers—modern chatbots adapt to your customers’ needs, learn from interactions, and deliver genuinely helpful conversations. If you’re a business owner looking to stand out online, here’s why it’s time to consider upgrading your site’s chatbot.
    Read More

    5 Critical Stages of Business AI Transformation: From Customer Experience to Operational Excellence

    “We need to implement AI” has become a common refrain in business meetings. But between chatbots, automation tools, and countless AI platforms, where do you actually start? Here’s the good news: successful AI transformation doesn’t require turning your entire business upside down overnight. Our experience has shown that starting with customer experience improvements creates a...
    Read More

    How to Transform Your Business for AI: A Practical Guide for 2025

    The promise of AI transformation is everywhere. ChatGPT hit 100 million users in just two months, and suddenly every business owner is wondering: “How do I make AI work for my company?” But here’s the reality: Most businesses aren’t ready for AI transformation. Not because they can’t be, but because they’re trying to build AI...
    Read More

    7 Smart Steps to Start Your Business AI Transformation (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

    “We need to implement AI.” If you’re a business owner or leader, you’ve probably heard (or said) this phrase recently. But where do you start? With vendors promising AI solutions for everything from customer service to operations, the path forward can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need to transform everything at once. Our...
    Read More