A Vibrant Web Design for Nonprofits: Chicago-Based Community of Women
website design
branding
webflow website development
Chicago Women in Philanthropy (CWIP) is an engaged community of women from Chicago’s philanthropic, corporate, and nonprofit sectors who are passionate about supporting women in their professional endeavors. Composed of a large group of involved, professional, supportive women, CWIP felt that their site did not reflect the vibrancy of their organization, and sought out a site that did so from View.
The View team began the web design process by creating updated branding for CWIP that reflected their welcoming yet professional tone. We presented three mood boards based on a meeting with the CWIP team in which we discussed their vision for the new site.
A custom design was created for the Chicago Women in Philanthropy. Web design for nonprofits should focus on communicating the organization's mission with clear messaging and graphic communication.
The CWIP team selected a number of elements that resonated with them from each mood board, with which we created a final mood board and branding guide. The final mood board has a bubbly, rounded feel with warm inviting colors that are reminiscent of their previous branding with a modern twist. The fonts are fresh and strong, with a touch of femininity.
Site Map Redesign
From there, our team got to work building out an updated site map that would both support the updated website and simplify navigation for site users. We worked in tandem with the CWIP board to ensure that each site map update would benefit the members of the organization as they navigated through the site.
Collaboration & Cohesiveness with Membership Software
The previous CWIP site was built with a pre-existing membership software. The software allowed all of the membership functions to take place right on the site, but limited the site’s design and lacked flexibility. This is a common challenge for web design for nonprofits. The View team proposed a solution that entailed linking back and forth between the updated site and the essential membership pages, in order to create a cohesive experience. The membership software design was updated in order for the experience to feel like one site, with the functionality of the membership software and robust design of the updated site. View handled all of the coordination with the membership software and CWIP team, in order to make this process as smooth as possible.
The Webflow web design for the Chicago nonprofit, CWIP, met the goals of the organization, including ability to update, integration of membership software, and a professional, vibrant image.
The Branded Site Build for CWIP: Nonprofit Web Design Chicago
Starting with the home page, we began to design and then build each website page for this Chicago-based nonprofit, adhering to the newly established brand guidelines. Webflow’s completely customizable software allowed us to tailor each page’s design to its unique content and objectives. This allowed us to create pages that had the capacity to display a wide variety of content, from a meet our members page, to an adaptable yearly event page, to a filtered blog page.
The site was designed with a vibrant yet professional tone, in order to reflect the community’s vision and ethos. Plenty of motion and animations helps to portray the active, inviting, and welcoming mentality of CWIP’s members. Behind the scenes, the site’s user-friendly CMS was thoughtfully designed so that the CWIP team is easily able to make future adjustments to information, events, and more.
We invite you to interact with the CWIP site, and reach out to us with any questions about how we can build a website for your brand that reflects who you are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Non-Profit Websites Made With Webflow:
Is Webflow the best platform for nonprofit web design in Chicago?
While the "best" builder depends on your goals, Webflow is often the superior choice for nonprofit web design in Chicago organizations choose when they need to balance high-end branding with ease of use. Unlike WordPress, Webflow doesn’t require constant plugin maintenance or security patches, which is a major benefit for nonprofits with limited IT resources. It allows us to build a vibrant, custom-designed site that is SEO-friendly and lightning-fast. For the CWIP project, Webflow’s flexibility allowed us to create a site that reflects their unique professional community while providing a stable, lower-maintenance solution for the long term.
How does your UX research for nonprofits translate into a Webflow site build?
Our process for UX research for nonprofits starts with understanding the diverse needs of members, donors, and partners. We use this data to build a custom site map and user journey in Webflow that simplifies navigation. For CWIP, our research led to a complete site map redesign that improved membership engagement. Because Webflow produces clean, semantic code, the research we do on user accessibility and site structure is directly translated into a high-performing website that ranks better in Chicago web design searches and provides a more inclusive experience for all visitors.
Can Webflow handle complex needs like membership software and branding?
Absolutely! A common challenge in Chicago web design for nonprofits is making third-party membership tools feel cohesive. Webflow’s ability to handle embed codes from membership softwares like Memberclicks, Wild Apricot, YourMembership and more makes it a robust and flexible platform. We’ve also successfully styled membership portals to match the updated Webflow site design. This ensures a seamless transition for users moving between the main site and the member dashboard. We bridge the gap between robust functionality and modern nonprofit web design, ensuring your software works perfectly without compromising your brand's visual identity.
How easy is it for a nonprofit team to manage a Webflow site after launch?
This is where Webflow truly shines for nonprofit web design in Chicago. We thoughtfully design a custom CMS (Content Management System) tailored to your specific needs—whether that’s a filtered blog, a yearly event page, or a member spotlight directory. Once we provide your team with training, you can update information, swap images, and add new events in real-time without needing a developer. This eliminates "bottlenecks" and allows your organization to remain agile and responsive to your community's needs.
Why Nonprofits are Switching to Webflow in 2026
In an era where digital presence is the primary driver for donor trust and community engagement, "static" websites are no longer enough. Leading organizations are moving away from the maintenance headaches of WordPress and towards nonprofit web design that prioritizes agility and storytelling.
By utilizing Webflow, we empower nonprofits to launch high-performance sites with custom web design aesthetics that don't require a developer for every update. From immersive UX research for nonprofits that maps out donor journeys to seamless membership integrations, Webflow provides a scalable, secure, and vibrant home for mission-driven brands.
