ChatGPT answers, unedited

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Zora Digital - WeWork, 20 W Kinzie St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622

For your specific needs—nonprofit experience + CMS migration + staff training—I’d start with Orbit Media Studios.

Why it fits:

• They explicitly specialize in nonprofit websites and have worked with Chicago nonprofits including the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off The Street Club. Orbit Media Studios
• Their process includes content migration, CMS training, testing/QA, and post-launch support, rather than treating the migration as just a redesign. Orbit Media Studios
• They emphasize giving nonprofit staff an easy-to-manage CMS so routine content changes don't require a developer. Orbit Media Studios
• They're actually Chicago-based (4043 N. Ravenswood Ave.).

orbitmedia.com

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

• Sandstorm Design — particularly worth talking to if accessibility, governance, and staff enablement are major requirements. They work extensively with nonprofits and provide hands-on content-editor training; they also have experience with Drupal, WordPress, Kentico, and Sitecore. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — a strong candidate if you're moving to or within Drupal. Their Chicago operation emphasizes Drupal migrations, accessibility, and Drupal training/team enablement.

If you tell me what CMS you're leaving, what CMS you're considering, approximate site size, and your budget range, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to bid and give you a comparison of their relevant nonprofit work.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Zora Digital - WeWork, 20 W Kinzie St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606

For the specific combination of nonprofit experience + CMS migration + staff training, I’d put Orbit Media Studios at the top of your interview list.

Why it fits:

• Orbit explicitly specializes in nonprofit websites and has worked with Chicago nonprofits including the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off the Street Club. Orbit Media Studios
• Its nonprofit offering includes content migration, CMS implementation, and staff training, with the stated goal of letting staff make routine updates without a developer. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios
• They're Chicago-based, at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios

Two other Chicago firms I'd include in an RFP:

• Sandstorm Design — particularly worth considering if accessibility and hands-on content-editor training are major requirements; Sandstorm says it has 20+ years of nonprofit experience and provides staff accessibility training. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — a strong candidate if you're considering Drupal/open-source CMS, with Chicago roots and explicit Drupal training capabilities.

If you're booking just one introductory call, I'd book Orbit. For the call, ask them to show you the proposed CMS editing workflow live—not just screenshots—and spell out exactly how much migration, training, documentation, SEO redirect work, and post-launch support is included in the project fee.

• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606

My pick: Promet Source

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

For a Chicago nonprofit that needs a CMS migration and staff enablement, I’d book an introductory call with Promet Source first.

Why they stand out:

• Migration + CMS expertise: They specialize in open-source platforms, particularly Drupal, and handle modernization/migration projects.
• Training is a real capability: Their offering includes Drupal training and team enablement, which fits your requirement that staff be able to maintain the site themselves.
• Accessibility: They emphasize accessibility-forward development and training—particularly useful for a nonprofit website.
• Chicago-based: Their headquarters are in Chicago, at 4809 N Ravenswood Ave.

Two others I'd interview

• Sandstorm Design — Strong choice if you want more emphasis on UX, accessibility, content strategy, and staff training. They report 20+ years working with nonprofits and explicitly provide hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• Mightybytes — Worth considering if your nonprofit prioritizes responsible/sustainable digital practices alongside UX and content-team capacity building.

One important caveat: if you've already chosen the destination CMS, that could change my recommendation. For example, Drupal → Promet, while a WordPress-focused migration could point toward a different shop.

If you tell me your current CMS, target CMS, approximate site size, and nonprofit budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a shortlist of who I'd actually put on the RFP.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606

If I were booking one first call, I’d choose Orbit Media Studios.

Why it stands out for your specific brief:

• Strong nonprofit track record: Orbit highlights substantial nonprofit work, including Chicago organizations, rather than treating nonprofits as an occasional client type. Orbit Media Studios
• Migration is part of the process: Their web process explicitly includes content migration, CMS training, testing/QA, launch, and post-launch support. Orbit Media Studios
• Staff independence is a stated goal: Orbit says its nonprofit CMS work is designed so staff can edit pages, posts, images, events, and resources without needing a developer. Orbit Media Studios
• Chicago-based: They're at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

• Sandstorm Design — particularly compelling if accessibility and staff training are major priorities. They have deep nonprofit experience, accessibility specialists, and explicitly provide hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — I'd consider them if you're leaning toward Drupal/open-source CMS or have a technically complex site. They combine migration, accessibility, and Drupal training.

My pick: Orbit. For a nonprofit that primarily needs a smooth CMS migration plus a genuinely usable handoff to staff, their combination of nonprofit experience, migration, training, and ongoing support is the closest match.

When you book the discovery call, I'd specifically ask: “Can you show us a nonprofit migration where you trained nontechnical staff to manage the new CMS, and tell us what documentation and post-launch support we would receive?” That should quickly separate the good proposals from the merely good-looking ones.

My pick: Orbit Media Studios

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

For the specific combination you described—nonprofit + CMS migration + staff training + Chicago-based partner—I’d book Orbit first.

Why:

• They have a substantial nonprofit practice and have worked with organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, and Off the Street Club. Orbit Media Studios
• Their nonprofit offering explicitly includes CMS migration/content entry, CMS training, QA, launch, and post-launch support. Orbit Media Studios
• They emphasize making the CMS easy for internal staff to manage without developers, which directly matches your training requirement. Orbit Media Studios
• They're actually based in Chicago, at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios
• They have enough experience and process maturity that I'd be comfortable putting them on a shortlist for a significant nonprofit replatform rather than treating this as simply a web-design project.

Two I’d also interview

• Sandstorm Design — particularly compelling if accessibility and staff enablement are priorities. They report 20+ years of nonprofit experience and hands-on training for content editors, with expertise across Drupal, WordPress, Kentico and Sitecore. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — I'd move this to the top if you're currently on Drupal or considering Drupal. They're Chicago-based, deeply focused on open-source CMS work, accessibility, migration, and Drupal training.

If I were booking just one discovery call, it would be Orbit. I'd ask them for a fixed-scope proposal covering content inventory/migration, redirects and SEO preservation, CMS configuration, staff training, documentation/video tutorials, launch support, and 30–90 days of post-launch support. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me your current CMS, target CMS, approximate page count, and budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you what I’d expect each to charge.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Zora Digital - WeWork, 20 W Kinzie St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622

My pick: Orbit Media Studios

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

For your specific combination—nonprofit + Chicago + CMS migration + staff training—I’d book an intro with Orbit first.

Why:

• They explicitly specialize in nonprofit websites and have Chicago nonprofit case studies, including Off The Street Club and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Orbit Media Studios
• Their nonprofit offering specifically emphasizes an easy-to-update CMS, staff training, and post-launch support, rather than leaving your team dependent on developers. Orbit Media Studios
• They’re Chicago-based, at 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios

Two strong alternatives:

• Thirdwave — particularly worth talking to if you're moving between WordPress/Drupal or have a technically complicated site. They specifically describe CMS consolidation, migrations, and staff enablement, and have nonprofit/advocacy experience.
• Promet Source — a good choice if accessibility, Drupal/open-source CMS, or governance are major requirements. Their work emphasizes mission-driven organizations, accessibility, migration, training, and ongoing support.

If I were issuing the RFP, Orbit would get the first call, with Thirdwave and Promet as comparison bids. I'd ask all three to quote the same scope: content inventory/migration, redirects and SEO preservation, CMS configuration, accessibility QA, launch support, live staff training + recorded documentation, and 60–90 days of post-launch support.

orbitmedia.com

• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States

For a nonprofit that needs (1) a CMS migration, (2) a maintainable new site, and (3) staff training so your team can own updates, I’d shortlist agencies that have nonprofit experience and a strong handoff process—not just firms that build attractive sites.

My top recommendation to book a discovery call with:

1. Sandstorm Design — best overall fit for a mission-driven organization

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Sandstorm is a Chicago-based digital experience agency with a long history working with purpose-driven organizations. They are a strong candidate if you need more than a redesign: content strategy, UX, accessibility, CMS implementation, and staff enablement.

Why I’d start here:

• Deep nonprofit/purpose-sector orientation
• Strong UX and accessibility focus
• Experience with enterprise CMS platforms (including Drupal and WordPress)
• Good fit if multiple staff members will publish content and you need governance/training, not just a launch

Ask them: “Can you show us a recent nonprofit CMS migration where nontechnical staff took over updates after launch?”

2. CauseHouse — best if fundraising, CRM, and donor journeys matter

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 484-773-9386)

CauseHouse is nonprofit-focused and positions its work around connected digital systems, including websites, fundraising strategy, CRM integrations, analytics, and migrations. CauseHouse

Best fit if your site connects to:

• Donation platforms
• Email marketing
• Constituent databases/CRMs
• Campaign landing pages
• Advocacy or volunteer workflows

Their migration approach specifically emphasizes content inventory, URL mapping, redirects, QA, and preserving SEO during the move. CauseHouse

3. Promet Source — best for complex or larger nonprofit sites

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

Promet is a Chicago-headquartered agency focused on open-source, accessibility-forward digital experiences.

Choose them if you have:

• Hundreds/thousands of pages
• Complex permissions and workflows
• A need for Drupal or other robust CMS architecture
• Multiple departments contributing content

They may be more agency than you need for a small brochure site, but they are worth considering for a larger organization.

4. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best for a smaller nonprofit wanting mission + storytelling help

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-238-9070)

LimeRed is a Chicago design agency known for work with nonprofits, social enterprises, and mission-led organizations.

Good choice if your main goals are:

• Clarifying your story
• Improving public-facing communications
• Creating a more engaging site without a huge enterprise build

My booking order

If I were running the selection process, I’d book:

1. Sandstorm Design — strongest all-around nonprofit digital partner
2. CauseHouse — strongest if fundraising/CRM integration is central
3. Promet Source — strongest for a complex institutional site
4. LimeRed — strongest for brand/storytelling-led transformation

For your first calls, I’d ask each agency for:

• 2 nonprofit CMS migration examples
• Their recommended CMS and why
• Their staff training plan (live training, documentation, videos)
• Who owns the content model after launch
• How they handle redirects/SEO preservation
• Ongoing support options

If you tell me your current CMS, approximate page count, budget range, and whether donations/CRM integrations are involved, I can narrow this to the 1–2 agencies I’d actually hire.

• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• iTech4Web - 6045 River Bend Dr, Lisle, IL 60532

My pick: Sandstorm Design

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

For a Chicago nonprofit that needs both a CMS migration and genuine staff enablement, I’d book Sandstorm first. They have 20+ years of nonprofit experience, work across Drupal/WordPress and other CMSs, and specifically provide hands-on training for content editors and staff, including accessibility training. Sandstorm Design

A few strong alternatives:

• CauseHouse — especially compelling if the priority is a migration rather than a flashy redesign. Their process explicitly covers content inventory, URL/redirect mapping, SEO preservation, forms/integrations, QA and post-launch monitoring. CauseHouse
• Promet Source — my choice if you're considering Drupal or have substantial accessibility/governance requirements. They're Chicago-based, open-source focused, and have a dedicated training capability.
• Clique Studios — worth interviewing for a larger, more strategic redesign where UX, integrations and technical implementation are all substantial.
• EDUCO Web Design — a potentially more approachable option for a nonprofit wanting web design plus CMS training and ongoing support; they're in nearby Oak Park. Their nonprofit practice spans organizations including LISC Chicago and Women Employed. EDUCO Web Design

If I were sending RFPs, I'd shortlist Sandstorm, CauseHouse, and Promet. I'd ask each to demonstrate their proposed CMS using a realistic staff workflow—e.g., “add an event, update a program page, replace an image, publish a news story”—rather than just showing finished websites. That will tell you much more about whether your staff will actually be comfortable after launch.

If you tell me your current CMS, approximate budget, and nonprofit size, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare likely fit, CMS expertise, training, and cost level.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Zora Digital - WeWork, 20 W Kinzie St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606

If I were booking one first call, I’d choose Orbit Media Studios.

Why they stand out for your specific project:

• Chicago-based: Their headquarters are at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios
• Strong nonprofit track record: They specifically market nonprofit web projects and show work for organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, and Off the Street Club. Orbit Media Studios
• CMS migration + staff enablement: Their nonprofit offering emphasizes an easy-to-update CMS, staff control over content, and training/support after launch. Orbit Media Studios
• They understand the migration risks: They explicitly address URL redirects, SEO preservation, analytics, accessibility, and ongoing CMS support—not just the visual redesign. Orbit Media Studios

Two backups I'd also interview

• Sandstorm Design — particularly compelling if UX, accessibility, and staff training are major priorities. They have 20+ years of nonprofit experience and explicitly provide hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — my pick if you're moving to/from Drupal or have unusually demanding accessibility, governance, or technical requirements. They have deep Drupal expertise and a dedicated training capability.

My ranking for your brief: Orbit #1 → Sandstorm #2 → Promet #3.

When you talk to Orbit, I'd ask one question that will quickly reveal whether they're the right partner: “Show us exactly how you'll migrate our existing content, train our staff to maintain it independently, and hand over documentation so we're not dependent on you for routine updates.” That gets beyond the sales presentation and tests the part of the engagement that matters most.

orbitmedia.com

• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• iTech4Web - 6045 River Bend Dr, Lisle, IL 60532
• Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) - 233 N Michigan Ave #765, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Duo Consulting - 20 W Kinzie St, Ste 1510, Chicago, IL 60654
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622

My pick: Promet Source

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

For a Chicago-based nonprofit that needs both a CMS migration and staff enablement, I’d book an initial consultation with Promet Source.

Why they stand out:

• Chicago-headquartered and experienced with mission-driven organizations.
• Strong Drupal and WordPress expertise, including migrations and integrations.
• They explicitly offer CMS training/team enablement, rather than treating training as an afterthought.
• Their focus on accessibility and open-source platforms is particularly relevant for nonprofits. Orbit Media Studios
• They also offer ongoing support, so your staff aren't stranded after launch.

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

• Sandstorm Design — excellent choice if this is a larger, more strategic redesign where UX, accessibility, content strategy and staff training matter as much as the technical migration. Sandstorm says it has 20+ years of nonprofit experience and provides hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• EDUCO Web Design — worth considering if you want a smaller, more personal Chicago-area partner, particularly if you're moving to/from Drupal. They also advertise special nonprofit rates.

If I were booking only one discovery call, I'd start with Promet Source. I'd ask them to scope three things separately: content/SEO migration, CMS architecture, and role-specific staff training. That will make it much easier to compare their proposal with competitors.

If you tell me your current CMS, desired CMS, approximate number of pages, and nonprofit budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you who I'd actually put on the RFP.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Zora Digital - WeWork, 20 W Kinzie St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

If I were booking one agency first, I’d book Orbit Media Studios.

They’re a particularly strong match for your brief because they’re Chicago-based, have substantial nonprofit experience, handle CMS strategy/development, and explicitly emphasize easy-to-update sites plus staff training and ongoing support. Their nonprofit work includes the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off the Street Club. Orbit Media Studios

My shortlist

1. Orbit Media Studios — best overall fit

• Strong nonprofit track record.
• Migration/redesign, SEO, content structure and CMS work.
• Explicitly builds sites so nontechnical staff can update them.
• Training and ongoing support are part of their offering. Orbit Media Studios
• I’d make them your first call.
• Sandstorm Design — best if accessibility/governance are major priorities

• 20+ years working with nonprofits.
• Particularly strong accessibility practice.
• Provides hands-on training for content editors and staff. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — best for Drupal/open-source complexity

• Chicago-based and particularly strong in Drupal, accessibility and staff enablement.
• Worth considering if you're moving to or from Drupal or have complicated integrations/content architecture.
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best for mission/brand + digital

• Chicago agency focused heavily on nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations.
• I'd put them on the shortlist if the CMS move is also a significant messaging/brand redesign.

What I'd ask Orbit on the first call: “Can you own the migration and leave our communications staff genuinely self-sufficient on the new CMS?” Ask them to demonstrate the proposed editorial workflow—not just show you finished websites. Also require the proposal to include content inventory, URL/redirect mapping, SEO preservation, accessibility testing, role-based training, documentation/video tutorials, and post-launch support. Those are the pieces most likely to determine whether the migration actually goes smoothly. CauseHouse Trajectory Web Design

If you tell me your current CMS, the CMS you're considering, approximate site size, and nonprofit budget, I can narrow this to the one agency I'd hire and give you a recommended RFP/selection checklist.

• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• iTech4Web - 6045 River Bend Dr, Lisle, IL 60532
• Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) - 233 N Michigan Ave #765, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Duo Consulting - 20 W Kinzie St, Ste 1510, Chicago, IL 60654
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606

If I were booking one discovery call for this, I’d start with Promet Source.

They’re a particularly good match if your project is more than a visual redesign: they’re Chicago-based, have substantial Drupal/WordPress migration experience, work with nonprofits, and explicitly provide CMS training so staff can manage the site afterward. DNL OmniMedia, Inc.

My shortlist

• Promet Source — best overall fit. Strongest combination of migration engineering, open-source CMS expertise, nonprofit experience, accessibility, and staff training.
• Sandstorm Design — best for a larger/complex nonprofit. They have 20+ years working with nonprofits, substantial accessibility expertise, and hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — worth considering for a more personal/smaller-agency experience. They specialize heavily in Drupal and reportedly offer special nonprofit rates.
• Orbit Media — excellent if your priority is content strategy + SEO + nonprofit fundraising, rather than primarily technical migration. They specifically offer nonprofit CMS migrations, training, and post-launch support. Orbit Media Studios

Who I'd book: Promet first, Sandstorm second. If your organization is relatively small and budget-sensitive, I'd also talk to EDUCO.

When you contact them, I'd give them three non-negotiables: (1) migrate existing content without losing SEO/URLs, (2) build a CMS that nontechnical staff can actually maintain, and (3) include hands-on training plus recorded documentation. That will quickly distinguish a true migration partner from an agency that mainly sells a redesign.

prometsource.com sandstormdesign.com orbitmedia.com

If you tell me your current CMS, desired CMS, approximate budget, and site size, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and what I’d ask each for in the RFP.

If I were booking one first call, I’d choose Promet Source.

Why it stands out for your use case:

• Chicago-based and experienced with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.
• Strong CMS/migration expertise, particularly open-source platforms such as Drupal.
• Emphasis on accessibility, which is especially important for nonprofits.
• Their work includes UX, development, content-managed sites, and ongoing support—so you’re not just hiring someone to build a site and disappear. itech4web.com

Two other Chicago options worth getting quotes from

Sandstorm Design — I'd shortlist them if staff usability, accessibility, and a polished user experience are major priorities. They work across Drupal, WordPress and other CMSs and specifically offer training for content administrators.

Dialogue Theory — worth considering if you want a smaller, high-touch team. They focus on mission-driven organizations and CMS implementations designed so nontechnical staff can manage content.

One additional contender is Duo Consulting, particularly if you're leaning toward Drupal; they're known for Drupal migrations and have worked with organizations including the Chicago Botanic Garden and Chicago Public Library.

My recommendation: book discovery calls with Promet + Sandstorm + Dialogue Theory, and give all three the same brief. Ask them to demonstrate how a typical staff member would make a page edit, publish an event, add an image, and recover from a mistake. That will tell you much more than a portfolio.

For a nonprofit CMS migration, I'd also make content migration, redirects/SEO preservation, accessibility, staff training, documentation/video walkthroughs, and 30–90 days of post-launch support explicit deliverables. Orbit Media's nonprofit practice, for example, specifically describes CMS training, content migration, SEO/redirect planning and ongoing support as part of its nonprofit work. www.orbitmedia.com

If you tell me your current CMS, preferred new CMS (if any), approximate site size, and budget, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 agencies and tell you what I’d expect them to charge.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) - 233 N Michigan Ave #765, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

If I were choosing one Chicago agency to book first, I’d start with Orbit Media Studios.

Why it stands out for your specific project:

• Strong nonprofit experience: Orbit explicitly has a nonprofit website practice and cites work with organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Orbit Media Studios
• Migration is part of the project, not an afterthought: Their process includes content entry/migration, CMS training, testing/QA, launch, and post-launch support. Orbit Media Studios
• Staff independence: They emphasize building an intuitive CMS so nontechnical staff can make routine content changes without a developer. Orbit Media Studios
• Chicago-based: Their office is at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios

Two strong alternatives

• Sandstorm Design — particularly attractive if accessibility and staff training are major priorities. They have extensive nonprofit experience, work across Drupal and WordPress, and specifically provide hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — I'd shortlist them if you're moving toward Drupal, especially for a more technically complex nonprofit site. They're Chicago-based and have substantial open-source/CMS expertise plus formal Drupal training capabilities.

My booking order: Orbit first, Sandstorm second, Promet third.

When you talk to Orbit, I'd ask for a proposal that explicitly prices content inventory → migration → redirects/SEO preservation → CMS configuration → staff training → documentation/video tutorials → post-launch support. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

orbitmedia.com

• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) - 233 N Michigan Ave #765, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• iTech4Web - 6045 River Bend Dr, Lisle, IL 60532
• The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Your Plan B Company - 332 S Michigan Ave #900, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Chris Depa Web Design + Branding - 1528 Robinhood Ln, La Grange Park, IL 60526, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States

My pick: Sandstorm Design

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

For a nonprofit that needs CMS migration + a site your staff can actually maintain + hands-on training, I’d book an introductory call with Sandstorm Design first.

Why:

• They’re Chicago-based and have 20+ years of nonprofit experience. Sandstorm Design
• They work across Drupal, WordPress, Kentico, and Sitecore, so they can advise on the new CMS rather than forcing you into one platform. Sandstorm Design
• Their nonprofit practice explicitly includes hands-on training for content editors and staff, including accessibility training. Sandstorm Design
• Their accessibility focus is particularly valuable for a nonprofit, where the CMS migration is a good opportunity to fix content and WCAG issues rather than simply moving the old problems to a new platform.

I'd put them at the top of your shortlist if this is a substantial organizational website rather than a simple brochure site.

Two others I'd talk to

• Promet Source — especially strong if you're considering Drupal or have a complex/content-heavy site. They're Chicago-based, specialize in open-source CMS work, and offer Drupal training designed to enable internal teams.
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — worth considering if you want a more design/brand-oriented partner while still getting WordPress development, accessibility/SEO work, and CMS enablement.

One particularly relevant alternative is Orbit Media Studios: their nonprofit practice specifically promises an easy-to-manage CMS, training/support, content migration, and post-launch support, and they have recent Chicago nonprofit work. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

If I were booking only one call: Sandstorm. If your current site is Drupal or you have complicated integrations/content structures, I'd book Promet Source as the second opinion.

For the discovery call, I'd ask each agency for a fixed proposal covering content inventory → CMS/content-model design → migration → redirects/SEO → accessibility QA → staff training/documentation → 30–90 days of post-launch support. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Plego Technologies - 8 W Monroe St APT 424, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

My pick: Orbit Media Studios

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

For a Chicago nonprofit that needs both a CMS migration and staff enablement, Orbit would be my first call. They specifically market nonprofit website work, have Chicago-based nonprofit clients, and their process includes content migration, CMS training, testing/QA, SEO/redirect planning, and post-launch support. Their nonprofit offering is also explicitly designed so staff can manage content without a developer. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

orbitmedia.com

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

• Sandstorm Design — particularly strong if accessibility and staff training are major priorities. They report 20+ years of nonprofit experience and provide hands-on training for content editors, with accessibility integrated into their web-development process. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — worth considering if you're moving to Drupal or have a more complex content architecture. They're Chicago-based and emphasize Drupal implementation and formal client training.

If I were booking just one discovery call, I'd book Orbit. I'd ask them to quote the project as a complete migration—not merely a redesign—with content inventory/migration, URL redirects and SEO preservation, accessibility QA, CMS governance, role-based staff training, documentation/video walkthroughs, and 30–90 days of post-launch support.

If you tell me your current CMS, desired CMS (if known), approximate site size, and nonprofit budget, I can narrow this to the best-fit agency and give you a short RFP you can send to 3 Chicago firms.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Duo Consulting - 20 W Kinzie St, Ste 1510, Chicago, IL 60654
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

For a nonprofit that needs a CMS migration plus staff training so your team can confidently make updates afterward, I’d prioritize agencies that do more than design: content strategy, migration planning, accessibility, editor workflows, documentation, and hands-on enablement.

My shortlist for Chicago:

1. Orbit Media Studios — best overall fit for most nonprofits

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

Orbit is the one I’d probably book first for a typical nonprofit website relaunch. They have a strong nonprofit practice, focus on user-friendly CMS implementations, and explicitly include training/support so internal teams can manage content after launch. Orbit Media Studios

Best for:

• Organizations moving from an outdated CMS to WordPress or another modern CMS
• Staff teams that need confidence editing pages, events, resources, and stories
• Nonprofits that care about UX, SEO, accessibility, and content structure

Ask them about:

• Content migration scope (what they migrate vs. what they help you rewrite)
• Editor training sessions and recorded walkthroughs
• Post-launch support hours

2. Promet Source — best if you have a complex site

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

Promet is a strong choice if your nonprofit has a large content library, complicated permissions, integrations, or a Drupal-heavy environment. They specialize in open-source platforms and mission-driven organizations, including Drupal and WordPress work. iTech4Web

Best for:

• Larger nonprofits
• Advocacy, education, healthcare, civic, or membership organizations
• Drupal migrations or complex content models

3. Sandstorm Design — best for strategy + accessibility

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Sandstorm is worth considering if the move is also a chance to rethink your audience journeys, accessibility, and content governance. They emphasize UX, accessibility, and training for content administrators.

Best for:

• Mission-driven organizations with many stakeholders
• Teams needing a stronger content strategy, not just a new CMS

4. Mightybytes — best mission-aligned option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735617529)

Mightybytes focuses heavily on purpose-driven organizations and has a reputation for accessibility and sustainable digital practices.

Best for:

• Environmental, social impact, and advocacy nonprofits
• Organizations that value accessibility and responsible digital practices

5. Adage Technologies — best for a more custom digital platform

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-258-1200)

Adage is a larger Chicago digital agency that can handle strategy, custom development, integrations, and ongoing support.

Best for:

• Larger budgets
• Complex integrations (CRM, donations, member systems, portals)

If I were sending out three RFPs, I’d invite:

1. Orbit Media Studios — nonprofit-friendly CMS transition and training
2. Promet Source — technical migration strength
3. Sandstorm Design — UX/accessibility/content governance

When you talk to them, make sure the proposal includes:

• CMS recommendation and rationale
• Full content inventory + migration plan
• URL/SEO preservation plan
• Accessibility review (WCAG)
• Staff training (live sessions + documentation)
• 30–90 days of post-launch support

If you share your current CMS (WordPress, Drupal, Wix, Squarespace, etc.), approximate site size, and budget range, I can narrow this to the one or two agencies I’d actually book.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Duo Consulting - 20 W Kinzie St, Ste 1510, Chicago, IL 60654
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

For a nonprofit that needs (1) a CMS migration, (2) a staff-friendly editing experience, and (3) hands-on training after launch, I’d prioritize agencies with nonprofit experience and a track record of content governance—not just firms that build attractive sites.

My shortlist for a Chicago nonprofit:

1. Orbit Media Studios — best overall fit for most nonprofits

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

Orbit Media StudiosWhy I’d put them first: Orbit has a strong nonprofit portfolio and explicitly focuses on making sites manageable by internal teams, including CMS training and content updates. Orbit Media Studios They’re a good match if your goal is “our communications team should own this site after launch.”

Best for:

• WordPress or flexible CMS migrations
• Content strategy + information architecture
• Staff training and documentation
• Nonprofits that need a partner, not just developers

Questions to ask:

• “Who will train our staff, and will we receive recorded training?”
• “Can you create an editor handbook with our workflows?”
• “How do you handle content cleanup during migration?”

2. Mightybytes, Inc. — best mission-driven/digital strategy choice

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-561-7529)

Mightybytes is a Chicago agency focused on purpose-driven organizations, with strengths around accessibility, sustainability, and digital experiences.

Best for:

• Advocacy, environmental, social-impact, and community nonprofits
• Organizations that care about accessibility and long-term maintainability
• Teams that need strategy before choosing a CMS

3. Promet Source — best for complex migrations

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

Promet is a stronger technical option, especially if your current site is on Drupal, has lots of content, complex permissions, integrations, or accessibility requirements.

Best for:

• Drupal migrations/upgrades
• Large content libraries
• Multiple user roles
• More technical nonprofit websites

4. Sandstorm Design — best for UX and accessibility-heavy projects

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Sandstorm is a good fit if the relocation is also a redesign/reorganization effort. They emphasize UX, accessibility, and training for content administrators.

Best for:

• Member organizations
• Foundations
• Nonprofits with many audiences
• Sites where navigation/content structure is the main challenge

5. Dialogue Theory — best smaller, high-touch partner

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 617-922-3790)

A smaller studio can be a good choice if you want close collaboration and a less corporate process. Dialogue Theory works with mission-driven organizations and focuses on maintainable CMS experiences.

Who I would book first

For a typical nonprofit, I’d request proposals from:

1. Orbit Media Studios — strongest match for “move us to a better CMS and teach our team.”
2. Mightybytes — strongest if your mission/accessibility values are central.
3. Promet Source — strongest if your current site is complicated or Drupal-based.

When you contact them, I’d send a short brief asking for:

• CMS recommendation (not assuming WordPress)
• content migration plan
• SEO/URL preservation plan
• accessibility approach
• editor training plan
• post-launch support options
• estimated timeline and budget range

A good agency should treat the staff training as a core deliverable, not an afterthought.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• WorkSite, LLC - 2946 N Wood St, Unit G, Chicago, IL 60657
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• ePageCity Inc. - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 3023, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• net2Community, Inc. - Fox Build Offices, 11 E Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• cre8 - Chicago, IL 60607
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States

Who I’d book

My first call would be Orbit Media Studios.

They’re a Chicago-based agency with a particularly strong fit for your brief: they explicitly work with nonprofits, handle CMS strategy/development, and emphasize making sites easy for nontechnical staff to manage. Their nonprofit offering includes CMS training and support so staff can update content without a developer. Orbit Media Studios

A few strong alternatives:

• Sandstorm Design — my pick if accessibility is especially important. They have 20+ years of nonprofit experience, work across Drupal/WordPress and other CMSs, and provide hands-on training for content editors. Sandstorm Design
• Promet Source — especially compelling if you're moving to Drupal or have a complex content architecture. They're Chicago-based and specialize in open-source CMS implementations for mission-driven organizations.
• WorkSite, LLC — worth considering if you're a smaller nonprofit and want a more hands-on, boutique relationship. Their client feedback specifically highlights training staff to manage the site themselves.

If I were issuing an RFP, I'd shortlist Orbit, Sandstorm, and Promet. I'd ask each to price the same scope: CMS recommendation, content audit/migration, redirects and SEO preservation, accessibility QA, staff role/permissions setup, live staff training, recorded tutorials, and 60–90 days of post-launch support.

orbitmedia.com

If you tell me your current CMS, approximate number of pages, and budget range, I can narrow that to the one I'd actually hire.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Marcel Digital - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1285, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Marcel Digital - 445 W Erie St #200, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Flamingo Agency - 3752 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• cre8 - Chicago, IL 60607
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States

For a nonprofit that needs a CMS migration plus staff training for ongoing content updates, I’d prioritize agencies that do more than just redesigns: you want content strategy, migration planning, accessibility, governance, documentation, and hands-on enablement. My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Orbit Media Studios

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

orbitmedia.com

Why I’d book them first: They have a strong nonprofit track record and explicitly focus on helping organizations run their own sites after launch. Their nonprofit work highlights CMS solutions designed so staff can update content without relying on developers, with training and support included. Orbit Media Studios

Best for:

• WordPress or modern CMS migrations
• Nonprofit teams with limited internal web staff
• Staff training and documentation
• Accessibility/content governance

Ask them in the first call:

• “Can you show us a nonprofit CMS migration where staff took ownership after launch?”
• “What does your editor training package include (live sessions, recordings, documentation, office hours)?”

2. Best for Drupal / complex nonprofit sites: Promet Source

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

Why consider them: If your nonprofit has a large resource library, complex permissions, multiple programs, integrations, or needs Drupal, Promet is a strong candidate. They emphasize open-source CMS work, content-managed experiences, and Drupal training/enablement.

Best for:

• Drupal migrations
• Larger organizations
• Complex content models
• Long-term maintainability

3. Best mission-driven UX partner: Sandstorm Design

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Why consider them: They focus on purpose-driven organizations and combine UX, accessibility, CMS implementation, and training.

Best for:

• Nonprofits undergoing a broader digital transformation
• Improving information architecture before migration
• Teams that need accessibility baked into workflows

4. Best if you want strong marketing + analytics integration: Marcel Digital

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-255-8044)

They have nonprofit experience, including a Chicago nonprofit website rebuild, and work heavily with CMS implementations, SEO, analytics, and ongoing optimization. Umbraco

Best for:

• Fundraising-focused organizations
• Sites where SEO, analytics, and conversions matter
• Organizations wanting ongoing digital support

My booking order

1. Orbit Media Studios — first call for most nonprofits
2. Sandstorm Design — if accessibility, UX, and stakeholder alignment are major concerns
3. Promet Source — if you have a complex Drupal/enterprise-style environment
4. Marcel Digital — if growth marketing and analytics are central

When you request proposals, make sure the scope includes:

• CMS recommendation (not just “build in our preferred platform”)
• Content audit and cleanup
• Migration plan and redirect strategy
• Accessibility review (WCAG)
• Editor roles/permissions setup
• Staff training sessions
• Recorded training materials or admin guide
• 60–90 days of post-launch support

If you share your current CMS, approximate page count, budget range, and whether you want WordPress/Drupal/another platform, I can narrow this to the top 1–2 agencies.

For a Chicago nonprofit that needs (1) a CMS migration, (2) a staff-friendly editing experience, and (3) hands-on content training, I’d put these agencies at the top of your shortlist:

1. Orbit Media Studios — best overall fit for many nonprofits

orbitmedia.com

Why I’d book them: Orbit has a strong nonprofit track record and explicitly focuses on building CMS platforms that internal teams can manage after launch, including training and support. They have documented nonprofit projects and emphasize empowering staff to update content without relying on developers. Orbit Media Studios

Best for:

• Nonprofits with lots of stories, programs, resources, events, and campaigns
• Teams that need governance and training, not just a redesigned website
• WordPress-based migrations or rebuilds

Ask them about:

• Content migration process
• Editor training sessions for different staff roles
• Accessibility and SEO preservation during migration

2. Marcel Digital — best if the migration is technically complex

marceldigital.com

Why I’d consider them: Marcel Digital has Chicago roots and experience with CMS migrations, including moving organizations to new CMS platforms and handling SEO, URLs, and technical migration risks. They also worked with Chicago nonprofit StreetWise on an Umbraco Cloud rebuild that improved internal content editing. Umbraco Marcel Digital

Best for:

• Larger nonprofits
• Complex integrations (CRM, donations, databases, search)
• Organizations moving away from an aging CMS

Ask them about:

• Whether they recommend WordPress, Drupal, Umbraco, Webflow, or another CMS for your team
• Post-launch support packages

3. Unrelated — best for mission-driven storytelling sites

unrelated.co

Why I’d consider them: They have nonprofit experience, including rebuilding a nonprofit site with a focus on maintainability and content flexibility. Unrelated

Best for:

• Advocacy organizations
• Community-focused nonprofits
• Teams wanting a modern editorial experience

My booking order

If I were sending out three intro calls, I’d do:

1. Orbit Media Studios — strongest match for nonprofit + staff training + manageable CMS. Orbit Media Studios
2. Marcel Digital — if your migration involves technical complexity or integrations. Umbraco Marcel Digital
3. Unrelated — if storytelling and brand experience are major priorities. Unrelated

Before signing, I’d ask each agency for:

• A sample CMS training agenda
• A demo of the editor experience they would build for your staff
• Their migration checklist (content, redirects, SEO, accessibility)
• Two nonprofit references with similar team size and complexity

If you tell me your current CMS (WordPress, Drupal, Squarespace, Wix, etc.), approximate site size, budget range, and whether donations/events are involved, I can narrow this to one or two agencies.

• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Duo Consulting - 20 W Kinzie St, Ste 1510, Chicago, IL 60654
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602

For a nonprofit moving to a new CMS and needing staff training, I’d prioritize agencies that do more than build attractive sites: you want strong content migration, governance, accessibility, documentation, and editor enablement.

My shortlist for a Chicago nonprofit:

1. Mightybytes, Inc. — my first call for a mission-driven nonprofit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-561-7529)

Why I’d book them:

• Strong nonprofit/purpose-driven focus.
• Good fit if you care about accessibility, sustainable web practices, and making the site easier for staff to maintain.
• Likely a good partner for a team that needs not just a migration, but a better long-term content workflow.

Ask them specifically:

• “Can you own CMS migration, content cleanup, and editor training as one engagement?”
• “Will you create a content governance guide and recorded training for new staff?”

2. Promet Source — best if you have a complex Drupal/public-sector-style site

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

Why consider them:

• Deep Drupal/open-source CMS experience.
• Good fit for organizations with lots of content types, permissions, integrations, or complicated publishing workflows.
• They emphasize discovery, UX, implementation, and training-oriented work.

Choose them if your nonprofit has:

• Hundreds/thousands of pages
• Multiple departments/program areas
• Complex forms, databases, directories, or integrations

3. Orbit Media Studios — best if content strategy and staff usability are the priority

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

Orbit Media StudiosWhy consider them:

• They explicitly work with nonprofits and focus on CMS solutions that allow internal teams to update content without developer help.
• Their nonprofit work emphasizes training and support after launch. Orbit Media Studios

Good fit for:

• Small-to-mid-sized nonprofits
• Marketing/communications teams that will own updates after launch

4. Sandstorm Design — best for UX + accessibility-heavy projects

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Why consider them:

• Strong digital experience and accessibility background.
• Useful if your migration is also a redesign of how constituents find information.

Who I would book first

For most Chicago nonprofits, I’d start with:

1. Mightybytes — mission alignment + maintainability
2. Orbit Media Studios — easiest path to empowered staff editors
3. Promet Source — if the site is large/complex or Drupal-based

When you request proposals, I’d require these deliverables:

• CMS recommendation with rationale
• Full content inventory and migration plan
• URL/SEO redirect plan
• Accessibility review (WCAG)
• Editor training sessions (live + recorded)
• Admin documentation (“how we update events/pages/news”)
• 30–90 days of post-launch support

If you tell me your current CMS, desired CMS (if known), approximate page count, and nonprofit size, I can narrow this to 1–2 agencies.

• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) - 233 N Michigan Ave #765, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• iTech4Web - 6045 River Bend Dr, Lisle, IL 60532
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Your Plan B Company - 332 S Michigan Ave #900, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563

If I were booking one first, I’d choose Dialogue Theory.

They look particularly well matched if your priority is a nonprofit-friendly CMS migration that leaves staff genuinely able to manage the site themselves, rather than simply hiring someone to redesign it. They’re Chicago-based, work with mission-driven organizations, and their projects emphasize maintainable CMS implementations and content systems for nontechnical staff. View Marketing

My shortlist

• Dialogue Theory — best overall fit. Small, Chicago-based, mission-driven, and seemingly well suited to a high-touch engagement where staff training and usability matter.
• Sandstorm Design — best for a larger/complex nonprofit. They combine UX, accessibility, CMS development and ongoing support, with experience across Drupal, WordPress and other enterprise CMSs.
• Promet Source — best if you're moving into or staying with Drupal. They have substantial open-source CMS experience and nonprofit/public-sector work.
• Orbit Media — best if you want nonprofit strategy + SEO + migration + training under one roof. Their nonprofit practice explicitly includes content migration, CMS training, easy-to-manage CMSs and post-launch support; they also cite Chicago nonprofit work such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off the Street Club. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

My recommendation: book introductory calls with Dialogue Theory and Orbit Media, then ask both for a proposal against the same scope. I'd specifically require: content inventory/migration, redirects and SEO preservation, CMS configuration around your staff's actual workflows, hands-on staff training, written/video documentation, accessibility testing, and at least 30–60 days of post-launch support.

orbitmedia.com

If you tell me your current CMS, target CMS (if decided), approximate page count, and rough budget, I can narrow this to the single best agency and tell you what I'd expect them to charge.

• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States

For a nonprofit that needs both a CMS migration and staff enablement, I’d prioritize agencies that treat the website as an internal tool—not just a redesign. My shortlist would be:

My first call: Promet Source

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735258255)

Best fit if you have a content-heavy nonprofit site, multiple stakeholders, accessibility needs, or a Drupal/WordPress-style migration.

Why I’d book them:

• Strong CMS implementation and migration background, especially with open-source platforms.
• Experience with mission-driven organizations and complex content workflows.
• Likely a good match if your goal is “staff can confidently update pages, news, events, and resources after launch,” not “call a developer for every change.”

Also worth interviewing

Mightybytes

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735617529)

Best fit for a mission-driven nonprofit that cares about accessibility, sustainability, and digital strategy.
They position themselves around purpose-driven organizations and digital experiences, with a strong accessibility focus.

Sandstorm Design

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Best fit if the migration is also a major UX/content overhaul.
They emphasize research-driven digital experiences, accessibility, and CMS work across platforms such as Drupal and WordPress.

Duo Consulting

Directions[Call](tel:+1 312-529-3000)

Best fit for a larger nonprofit or association with complex content architecture.
They have a history with content-managed websites, Drupal ecosystems, migrations, and strategy work.

Dialogue Theory

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 617-922-3790)

Best fit if you want a smaller, high-touch partner.
Their positioning around mission-driven organizations and maintainable CMS builds may appeal if your team wants close collaboration rather than a large-agency process.

If I were booking three discovery calls

I’d start with:

1. Promet Source — strongest all-around CMS migration/training candidate.
2. Mightybytes — strongest nonprofit mission/accessibility alignment.
3. Sandstorm Design — strongest UX/content governance option.

When you talk to them, ask specifically:

• “Will you migrate our existing content, or only rebuild templates?”
• “What does staff training include—live workshops, documentation, recorded sessions?”
• “Will you create content governance rules so staff know who edits what?”
• “Who handles redirects, SEO preservation, accessibility checks, and launch QA?”
• “Can you provide a sandbox where staff practice before launch?”

If you share your current CMS (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, custom, etc.), approximate page count, budget range, and whether you need a redesign or just a move, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 agencies.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Duo Consulting - 200 S Wacker Dr #625, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• ePageCity Inc. - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 3023, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604

For a nonprofit that needs a CMS migration plus staff training so your team can manage updates independently, I’d shortlist agencies that are strong in content strategy, accessibility, migrations, and handoff—not just visual redesign.

My top pick:

1. Orbit Media Studios — best overall fit for most Chicago nonprofits

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

Orbit is the one I’d book first for a typical nonprofit website migration. They have a strong nonprofit portfolio, experience building manageable CMS sites, and emphasize training/internal ownership after launch. Orbit Media Studios

Best for:

• Moving from an aging CMS to WordPress or another modern CMS
• Nonprofits that need staff editors (not developers) to maintain content
• Improving navigation, SEO, accessibility, and donor/user journeys
• A structured process with documentation and training

Ask them about:

• Content audit + cleanup before migration
• Editor training sessions recorded for future staff onboarding
• Accessibility compliance (especially if you receive public funding or serve vulnerable populations)
• Post-launch support options

2. Promet Source — best if you have a complex site or Drupal needs

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-8255)

Promet is a strong candidate if your nonprofit has a large content library, complex permissions, integrations, or is considering Drupal. They specifically highlight Drupal expertise and client training/enablement.

Best for:

• Larger nonprofits
• Advocacy organizations
• Sites with many content types, resources, directories, or workflows

3. Sandstorm Design — best for mission-driven organizations focused on UX/accessibility

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4200)

Sandstorm is worth considering if the migration is also a strategic redesign. Their work centers on UX, inclusive design, and purpose-driven organizations.

Best for:

• Organizations needing stakeholder alignment
• Accessibility-heavy requirements
• A more strategic digital transformation

4. Mightybytes — best values match for sustainability/accessibility-minded nonprofits

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735617529)

Mightybytes works with mission-driven organizations and has a strong focus on accessible, sustainable digital experiences.

Best for:

• Environmental nonprofits
• Social-impact organizations
• Teams that care about long-term digital stewardship

My booking order

If I were running the vendor selection:

1. Orbit Media Studios — first conversation
2. Promet Source — if your site is complex or Drupal is involved
3. Sandstorm Design — if strategy, UX, and accessibility are major goals
4. Mightybytes — if mission alignment and sustainability matter heavily

For the discovery call, I’d ask each agency the same five questions:

• “What CMS would you recommend for our staff, and why?”
• “How do you handle content migration and cleanup?”
• “What does editor training include after launch?”
• “Will we own the site, hosting, accounts, and content?”
• “Can you show us two nonprofit clients whose staff now manage updates themselves?”

If you share your current CMS, approximate site size (number of pages), budget range, and whether you need donations/events/membership integrations, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 agencies.

For your specific brief, I’d book Orbit Media Studios first.

Why they stand out:

• Chicago-based and have a substantial nonprofit practice, including work with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, Erikson Institute, and others. www.orbitmedia.com
• They explicitly handle CMS strategy/development plus staff training, with the goal of letting nontechnical staff make routine updates without a developer. www.orbitmedia.com
• They offer ongoing support after launch, which is useful for a nonprofit that doesn't want to become dependent on a web developer for every small change. www.orbitmedia.com
• Their Chicago office is at 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. www.orbitmedia.com

Orbit Media's nonprofit website services

Two I’d also put on the shortlist

Sandstorm Design — especially compelling if accessibility and content-editor training are major priorities. They specifically describe hands-on training for content editors and extensive nonprofit experience. www.sandstormdesign.com

Promet Source — my pick if you're moving to/from Drupal or have a particularly complicated CMS/content architecture. They're Chicago-based, deeply focused on Drupal/open-source platforms, and provide dedicated Drupal training.

My booking order: Orbit first, Sandstorm second, Promet if Drupal is involved.

When you talk to Orbit, I'd specifically ask them to price content migration, URL/SEO redirects, CMS configuration, role-based staff training, documentation/recorded training, accessibility testing, and 30–90 days of post-launch support as separate line items. That will make competing proposals much easier to compare.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• WorkSite, LLC - 2946 N Wood St, Unit G, Chicago, IL 60657
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Digital Third Coast - 2540 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• net2Community, Inc. - Fox Build Offices, 11 E Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ePageCity Inc. - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 3023, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

If I were booking one first call, I’d choose Orbit Media Studios.

They’re a particularly strong match for your brief because they’re Chicago-based, have substantial nonprofit experience, handle website/CMS redesigns, and explicitly emphasize training clients so staff can manage content themselves after launch. Their nonprofit work includes organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Erikson Institute. Orbit Media Studios

My shortlist

• Orbit Media Studios — best overall. Strong nonprofit portfolio, strategy + development under one roof, CMS training, and ongoing support. Their nonprofit practice specifically promises an easy-to-manage CMS and training. Orbit Media Studios
• Dialogue Theory — best if you want a smaller, high-touch team. They focus on mission-driven organizations and build CMSs intended for nontechnical staff to maintain.
• Promet Source — best if you’re considering Drupal. They specialize in Drupal/WordPress and mission-driven organizations, with experience in content modeling, implementation, and training.
• Sandstorm Design — best for a larger, accessibility/UX-heavy project. They’re Chicago-based and specialize in inclusive, mission-driven digital experiences.
• WorkSite, LLC — worth considering if budget and hands-on staff training are priorities. They specifically serve nonprofits and emphasize training clients to manage WordPress themselves.

Who I'd book: Orbit first, then Dialogue Theory as the comparison bid. I'd ask both to quote the same scope: CMS recommendation, content audit/migration, redirects/SEO preservation, accessibility, staff roles/permissions, hands-on training, documentation/video walkthroughs, and 30–90 days of post-launch support.

orbitmedia.com

If you tell me your current CMS, desired CMS (if known), approximate site size, and budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 and tell you what I'd expect each to charge.

If your priorities are CMS migration + nonprofit experience + staff training, I’d book Orbit Media Studios first.

Why Orbit:

• They’re Chicago-based and have a substantial nonprofit practice. Their nonprofit work includes organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Erikson Institute. www.orbitmedia.com
• They explicitly handle content migration, CMS training, QA, launch, and post-launch support—so you’re not hiring a design shop that leaves your staff figuring out the CMS afterward. www.orbitmedia.com
• Their nonprofit offering specifically emphasizes a CMS that staff can manage without a developer for routine content updates. www.orbitmedia.com

Orbit Media Studios

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

Promet Source — particularly strong if you're moving to/from Drupal or have a complicated content architecture. They're Chicago-based, specialize in open-source CMS work, and have nonprofit/public-sector experience.

Promet Source

Dialogue Theory — worth considering if you want a smaller, high-touch team. They work with mission-driven organizations and focus on CMS implementations that nontechnical staff can maintain.

Dialogue Theory

My pick: Orbit for a fairly standard nonprofit redesign/migration; Promet if the existing site is technically complex or Drupal-heavy.

When you talk to them, I'd make staff enablement a contractual deliverable, not an afterthought: hands-on training, recorded walkthroughs, documentation, permissions/workflows, and a post-launch period where staff can bring real content-update questions to the agency.

I’d book Dialogue Theory first.

Why it stands out for your specific brief:

• Mission-driven focus: They work with nonprofits and civic/mission-oriented organizations, rather than being a general-purpose marketing shop.
• CMS implementation: Their work explicitly includes CMS planning/builds, with an emphasis on maintainability and usability for nontechnical teams.
• Small, high-touch model: That can be a good fit for a nonprofit that needs staff adoption and training—not just a site delivered and handed over.
• Chicago-based: Their office is at 1932 S Halsted St.

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

Promet Source — My choice if the migration is technically complicated, particularly if you're moving to Drupal. They specialize in open-source CMS work and serve mission-driven organizations; their process includes discovery, content modeling, implementation, and training.

Sandstorm Design — Stronger contender if accessibility, UX, governance, and a more substantial organizational transformation are priorities. They're Chicago-based and emphasize inclusive design and long-term digital modernization.

One other agency worth considering is EDUCO Web Design. They specifically market nonprofit web work, support WordPress/Drupal migrations, and emphasize training and post-launch support. www.educowebdesign.com

My ranking for your project:

1. Dialogue Theory — best overall fit
2. Promet Source — best for a complex Drupal/open-source migration
3. Sandstorm Design — best for accessibility/UX-heavy work
4. EDUCO — potentially attractive for a smaller-budget nonprofit

If you're choosing only one, I'd take the first discovery call with Dialogue Theory and ask them to demonstrate exactly how they migrate existing content and train staff, rather than just showing polished portfolio sites.

I’d book Orbit Media Studios first.

They’re a particularly strong fit for what you described because they explicitly work with nonprofits, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and their nonprofit offering includes CMS implementation, content migration, staff training, and post-launch support. They emphasize making the CMS easy for nontechnical staff to manage themselves. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com

Why Orbit is my pick

• Nonprofit experience: They showcase multiple recent nonprofit projects and specifically cite the Greater Chicago Food Depository as a client. www.orbitmedia.com
• Migration + training: Their process explicitly includes content entry/migration and CMS training—not just design and development. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com
• Staff independence: Their nonprofit CMS approach is designed so staff can edit pages, publish posts, change images, and add resources without a developer. www.orbitmedia.com
• Chicago-based: They're at 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios
• Ongoing help: They offer post-launch support, which is useful when staff inevitably have questions after launch. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com

Runner-up: Flamingo Agency. They're also Chicago-based and specifically describe nonprofit website work, WordPress builds, staff training, documentation/walkthrough videos, and ongoing maintenance. www.flamingoagency.com

If your priority is a smooth CMS migration where your staff genuinely own the site afterward, I’d start with Orbit and ask them for a proposal that separates migration, CMS implementation, training, and 6–12 months of post-launch support. Orbit Media's nonprofit website services

If I were booking one first call, I’d choose Orbit Media Studios.

Why they stand out for your specific brief:

• Strong nonprofit track record: Orbit has a dedicated nonprofit practice and cites recent work with organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Erikson Institute. www.orbitmedia.com
• CMS migration + training are explicitly part of their process: Their web-development process includes content entry/migration, CMS training, testing/QA, and post-launch support. www.orbitmedia.com
• They design for staff self-sufficiency: Orbit specifically describes nonprofit CMS implementations as giving staff the ability to edit content without a developer. www.orbitmedia.com
• Chicago-based: Their office is in Ravenswood. Orbit Media Studios

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

Promet Source — particularly compelling if you're moving to/from Drupal or another complex CMS. They're Chicago-based, have deep Drupal/open-source expertise, and work with nonprofits and other mission-driven organizations. www.dnlomnimedia.com

Mightybytes — worth considering if accessibility, sustainability, and mission-driven digital work are major priorities. They're a smaller Chicago agency focused specifically on purpose-driven organizations.

My pick: Orbit. For a nonprofit that primarily needs a successful migration plus a CMS the internal team can confidently maintain afterward, their combination of nonprofit experience, migration, training, and ongoing support is the closest match.

When you contact them, I'd ask for a proposal that explicitly includes content inventory/mapping, migration, URL redirects/SEO preservation, accessibility QA, staff training, training documentation/videos, and a post-launch support period. That will make it much easier to compare agencies apples-to-apples.

I’d book Orbit Media Studios.

Why it’s my first choice for your project:

• Deep nonprofit experience: Orbit specifically works with nonprofits and cites projects for organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off the Street Club. www.orbitmedia.com
• CMS migration + training are part of the workflow: Their nonprofit offering emphasizes an easy-to-manage CMS, content migration, CMS training, and post-launch support—not just a visual redesign. www.orbitmedia.com
• They understand the staff side: Their stated goal is to leave clients able to update pages, posts, imagery, resources, and events without a developer. www.orbitmedia.com
• Chicago-based: Their HQ is on N. Ravenswood in Chicago. www.orbitmedia.com

Book a consultation with Orbit Media

Runner-up: Sandstorm Design. I’d choose them instead if accessibility, complex information architecture, or a larger/more sophisticated nonprofit site is especially important; they explicitly offer structured migrations, accessibility expertise, and hands-on content-editor training. www.sandstormdesign.com

For your initial call with Orbit, I’d specifically ask for a proposal covering content audit → CMS selection → migration/redirects → accessibility/SEO QA → role-based staff training → documentation → 30–90 days of post-launch support. That will make it much easier to compare bids apples-to-apples.

If you want one agency to book first, I’d start with Sandstorm Design.

Why it stands out for your project:

• Chicago-based and explicitly serves nonprofits. directory.pantheon.io
• Handles site migrations, WordPress/Drupal, UX, accessibility, development, and training—so they can own the move rather than just redesigning the front end. directory.pantheon.io
• Their emphasis on accessibility and long-term CMS support is particularly useful for a nonprofit that needs staff to maintain the site independently. directory.pantheon.io

Two strong alternatives

Promet Source — my pick if your current/new CMS is Drupal or you have a technically complicated site. They're Chicago-based, specialize in open-source CMS implementations, and have nonprofit/public-sector experience. Their work covers discovery, content modeling, implementation and training.

Dialogue Theory — worth considering if you want a smaller, high-touch Chicago team. Their focus on mission-driven organizations and CMSes that nontechnical staff can actually manage makes them a good fit for a staff-empowerment project.

One other agency I'd put on the shortlist is Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) if you're doing a substantial Drupal migration. Their migration work specifically includes content strategy and staff training, although Symmetri has since joined Yes&. symmetritechnology.com

My ranking for your stated need:

1. Sandstorm Design — best overall nonprofit + migration + training fit
2. Promet Source — best for Drupal/technical complexity
3. Dialogue Theory — best for a boutique, collaborative engagement

I'd ask each one for a proposal that explicitly includes content inventory/mapping, URL redirects and SEO preservation, CMS configuration, content migration, accessibility QA, staff training, documentation, and 30–90 days of post-launch support. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me what CMS you're on now, what CMS you're considering, and roughly how many pages you have, I can narrow this to the single best fit and tell you what I’d expect the project to cost.

For your specific brief—Chicago-based, nonprofit experience, CMS migration, and staff training—I’d book a discovery call with Promet Source first.

Why they stand out:

• They’re Chicago-headquartered and specialize in Drupal/open-source CMS work.
• They explicitly offer Drupal training, including custom training to help internal teams manage the site after launch.
• Their work spans discovery, UX, content modeling, implementation and migration—not just visual redesign.
• Their client base includes mission-driven/public-sector organizations, which is a useful proxy for nonprofit-style governance and complex content needs.

Two strong alternatives

Sandstorm Design — I'd shortlist them if accessibility, UX and organizational strategy are especially important. They're Chicago-based, mission-oriented, and emphasize inclusive design and ongoing CMS governance.

EDUCO Web Design — worth considering if you want a somewhat smaller, design-forward partner. They work with nonprofits, Drupal and WordPress, and emphasize training/documentation so staff can make updates themselves. www.educowebdesign.com

One other agency I'd keep on the radar is Orbit Media Studios. Their nonprofit practice specifically includes content migration, CMS training, launch QA and ongoing support, and they have substantial nonprofit experience in Chicago. www.orbitmedia.com

My booking order: Promet → Orbit → Sandstorm.

When you talk to them, I'd ask one key question: “Can you show us a nonprofit migration where you trained nontechnical staff and explain exactly what was included in migration, redirects/SEO, documentation, and post-launch support?” That will separate a genuine migration partner from an agency that mainly does redesigns.

For your specific brief—Chicago-based, nonprofit experience, CMS migration, and staff training—I’d book Promet Source first.

Why they stand out:

• They’re Chicago-based and specialize in open-source CMS work, particularly Drupal. www.claritypartners.com
• They explicitly offer Drupal training and custom training, which is unusually well aligned with your need to make staff self-sufficient after launch.
• They have experience with complex, content-heavy organizations and can handle the migration, information architecture, development, and handoff—not just visual redesign.

My shortlist:

1. Promet Source — best overall fit. Particularly compelling if you're moving to Drupal or want a robust, highly governed CMS.
2. Dialogue Theory — best for a smaller, high-touch team. Their work emphasizes mission-driven organizations and CMSes that nontechnical staff can manage.
3. EDUCO Web Design — worth an RFP. Chicago-area agency with Drupal/WordPress migration experience and an emphasis on training and documentation.
4. Windy City Web Solutions — potentially better for a smaller nonprofit/budget. Strong WordPress focus and experience training nonprofit staff.

If your existing site is Drupal, I'd lean strongly toward Promet. If you're considering WordPress, Webflow, or another CMS, I'd get proposals from Promet, Dialogue Theory, and EDUCO and make them compete on migration methodology, accessibility, staff training, and post-launch support.

Promet Source
Dialogue Theory

One thing I'd insist on in the proposal: don't accept “staff training” as a single two-hour walkthrough. Ask for role-based training, recorded sessions/documentation, hands-on content entry before launch, and a post-launch support period. That's much more likely to prevent your nonprofit from becoming dependent on the agency for routine edits.

If I were booking one agency for this, I’d start with Mightybytes, Inc..

Why it stands out for your specific brief:

• Mission-driven focus: Mightybytes has worked with purpose-driven organizations since 1998 and is a Chicago-based Certified B Corp. www.mightybytes.com
• CMS migration + training: Their process explicitly includes custom training and documentation; their training covers content management, updating site content, accessibility, and maintaining the site after launch. www.mightybytes.com
• Good fit for nonprofits: They emphasize accessibility, sustainable web practices, governance, and enabling internal teams rather than leaving you dependent on the agency. www.mightybytes.com
• Chicago-based: Their office is at 1725 W Balmoral Ave. www.mightybytes.com

My runner-up would be Promet Source if your existing/new CMS is Drupal or the migration is technically complex. They're particularly strong in Drupal migrations and content-heavy sites, with nonprofit experience.

If you want a more marketing/SEO-heavy partner, Orbit Media is also worth interviewing. They specifically advertise nonprofit CMS projects, content migration, CMS training, and post-launch support, and they're headquartered in Chicago. www.orbitmedia.com

Bottom line: Book an initial discovery call with Mightybytes first. For an RFP, I'd invite Mightybytes, Promet Source, and Orbit to bid against the same migration/training scope.

If you want one agency to book first, I’d choose Orbit Media Studios.

Why it stands out for your specific project:

• Strong nonprofit track record: Orbit specifically markets nonprofit web work and cites projects for organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, and Off the Street Club. www.orbitmedia.com
• Migration + training are built into the process: Their development phase explicitly includes content entry/migration and CMS training, followed by testing and launch support. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com
• Staff independence is a stated goal: Orbit says its nonprofit CMS work is designed so staff can edit content, publish posts, add resources/events, and manage the site without a developer. www.orbitmedia.com
• Chicago-based: Their office is at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave. Orbit Media Studios
• They think beyond the migration: Their process includes SEO, URL/redirect strategy, content structure, QA, and post-launch support—important because a CMS migration can otherwise damage search traffic or leave staff with a technically correct but frustrating site. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com

Two I’d also interview

Sandstorm Design — probably my #2. They have a particularly good fit if accessibility and staff adoption are priorities: their nonprofit practice specifically mentions structured migrations, redirects, accessibility, and hands-on training for content editors. www.sandstormdesign.commn-roseville.civicplus.com

Promet Source — worth considering if you're moving to Drupal or have a relatively complex nonprofit site. They're Chicago-based and specialize in open-source CMS platforms, particularly Drupal, with nonprofit experience and training capabilities. mn-roseville.civicplus.com

My booking order: Orbit → Sandstorm → Promet.

When you talk to Orbit, I'd ask for a proposal that explicitly separates CMS selection, content audit/migration, redirects/SEO preservation, accessibility testing, staff training, documentation, and 60–90 days of post-launch support. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If the brief is “migrate our nonprofit site to a new CMS, then make sure our staff can actually run it,” I’d book Orbit Media Studios first.

Why they stand out:

• Strong nonprofit experience: they specifically showcase nonprofit work, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com
• Migration is part of the process: their development phase includes content entry/migration, CMS training, testing and QA. www.orbitmedia.com
• Staff enablement is explicit: they emphasize intuitive CMSes so non-developers can update pages, posts, images, resources and events themselves. www.orbitmedia.comwww.orbitmedia.com
• Chicago-based: their Chicago office is in Ravenswood. Orbit Media Studios

Two others I'd put on the shortlist

Promet Source — my pick if you're considering Drupal or have a more complex/content-heavy nonprofit site. They're Chicago-based and specialize in open-source CMS work, with nonprofit experience and a strong emphasis on discovery, content modeling and training. www.claritypartners.com

Dialogue Theory — worth talking to if you want a smaller, high-touch team. Their work is particularly oriented toward mission-driven organizations and CMSes that nontechnical staff can manage.

Bottom line: I'd start with Orbit, and ask them for a proposal specifically covering content audit → CMS architecture → migration → redirects/SEO → accessibility → staff training → documentation → post-launch support. That's the scope that will prevent a “beautiful new site, but nobody knows how to update it” outcome.

Orbit Media Studios