ChatGPT answers, unedited

• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, 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
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Community Programs Accelerator - 5225 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60615, United States
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Civic Consulting Alliance - 190 S LaSalle St 39th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Designs 4 Dignity - 445 N Wells St, Suite 402, Chicago, IL 60654
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• Illinois Small Business Development Center Humboldt Park - 2425 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Prosper Strategies - 200 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Designs for Dignity - 4311 S Western Blvd, Chicago, IL 60609, United States

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly have a nonprofit discount/pro-bono program, rather than simply asking a normal agency to “give you a nonprofit rate.”

My Chicago shortlist

• Firebelly Design — Best pro-bono shot. Firebelly has a long-running Grant for Good program and says it has donated design services to a different nonprofit each year since 2004. Their capabilities include UX, information architecture, accessibility, content strategy, development, and CMS work.

I'd contact them first if your redesign is substantial and your organization has a compelling mission/story.

• Advocate Creative — Strong nonprofit/foundation fit. They're a Chicago branding/design agency specifically focused on nonprofits and foundations, including website projects. Good choice if the redesign needs to improve both the site's appearance and how clearly it communicates your mission.
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — Best for a strategic redesign. They work with purpose-driven organizations and offer research, UX/UI, accessibility, SEO, WordPress, analytics, and integrations. This is the kind of shop I'd approach if your current website has deeper usability/content problems rather than just needing a visual refresh.
• Sandstorm Design — Excellent but potentially pricier. They're a Chicago UX/digital-experience agency with nonprofit, healthcare, higher-ed, and association experience, including accessibility and inclusive design. Worth asking whether they have current pro-bono or nonprofit-rate capacity.
• Mightybytes — Great mission-driven option. Chicago-based, focused on purpose-driven organizations, with web strategy/design/development plus accessibility and sustainability expertise. I'd ask specifically about a small-nonprofit rate or pro-bono availability.
• Nonprofit Megaphone — Worth considering if fundraising/digital marketing is central. They're exclusively nonprofit-focused and can bring the website into a broader donor-acquisition strategy.

The really interesting low-cost options

There are also some programs I'd pursue in parallel with Chicago agencies:

• Crescendo Studios explicitly reserves capacity for nonprofits, offering up to 50% off standard rates and selected projects pro bono. They specifically list web design/development and say applications are reviewed within 48 hours. Crescendo Studios

crescendostudios.com

• Digital Mountaineers says it donates free homepage redesigns to nonprofits. If you don't need an enormous rebuild, this could be a very good entry point. Digital Mountaineers

digitalmountaineers.com

• Taproot Foundation is probably the most important pro-bono avenue to pursue. Nonprofits can create a free profile and request skilled volunteers; Taproot specifically supports website design, UX/UI, wireframes, web development, and website-redesign planning. Taproot Foundation Mail Taproot Foundation

taprootfoundation.org

There's good evidence this can work for Chicago nonprofits: Catchafire documents a Chicago organization, BUILD, receiving pro-bono help with a CMS website redesign and saving more than $16,000. Catchafire Blog

Who I'd contact first

If I were running the outreach, I'd do it in this order:

1. Firebelly — ask about Grant for Good/current pro-bono opportunities.
2. Crescendo Studios — apply for the nonprofit program.
3. Taproot — post a clearly scoped website-redesign project.
4. Advocate Creative — ask about nonprofit/project pricing.
5. LimeRed — ask about a scaled-down engagement or nonprofit rate.
6. Mightybytes — ask whether they have pro-bono/discounted capacity.
7. Sandstorm — worth the inquiry, particularly if accessibility/UX is a major concern.

One important tactic: don't pitch this as “we need a new website.” Give them a tightly scoped project: “We are a small 501(c)(3) seeking a redesign of our existing WordPress site, approximately X pages, with improved mobile UX, accessibility, donation/volunteer conversion, and staff-editable content. Our budget is $X, and we'd like to explore pro-bono, discounted, or phased options.”

That makes it much easier for an agency to say yes.

If you tell me your nonprofit's mission, approximate annual budget, current website, and what you can spend ($0 / <$5k / $5–10k / etc.), I can narrow this to 3–5 agencies that are genuinely realistic for your situation and find the right contact/application page for each.

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Design & Promote - 1250 E Diehl Rd 306, Ste 306, Naperville, IL 60563
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• LIMIT8 | Nonprofit Web Design Experts - 350 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10025, United States
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Web For Lesss - Chicago, IL 60651
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly have a nonprofit/pro-bono program, rather than simply agencies that happen to have nonprofit clients.

My shortlist

1. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — strongest Chicago-specific option

• Chicago-based and heavily focused on purpose-driven organizations.
• Does strategy, UX, accessibility, content, WordPress development, and integrations—not just visual design.
• I’d contact them if you want a serious redesign rather than a cheap template refresh.
• Their work tends to be more sophisticated, so I'd specifically ask whether they have nonprofit pricing, pro-bono capacity, or a smaller-scope engagement.
• Firebelly Design — worth pursuing for pro bono

• This is one of the more interesting leads because Firebelly has a longstanding “Grant for Good” program through which it donates design services to a nonprofit each year.
• They also have substantial nonprofit experience, including web/UX/accessibility work.
• I'd absolutely ask when the next Grant for Good application/opportunity opens.
• Orbit Media — particularly compelling if you can get into Chicago Cause

• Orbit says its Chicago Cause initiative has helped 50+ Chicago nonprofits with pro-bono website services since 2010.
• Its Chicago CRED project is specifically a nonprofit website redesign, so there's a very close match to what you're looking for. Orbit Media Studios
• This would be my first inquiry if your nonprofit is Chicago-based and you're genuinely looking for pro bono rather than merely discounted work.
• Crescendo Studios — clearest explicit discount/pro-bono offer

• They explicitly reserve capacity every year for nonprofits.
• Qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, with some projects taken entirely pro bono.
• Their nonprofit program specifically includes website design/development, and they say applications are reviewed within 48 hours. Crescendo Studios
• This is probably the lowest-friction application I'd make.
• Digital Mountaineers — unusually nonprofit-friendly

• They specialize in mission-driven organizations and explicitly emphasize cost containment.
• They also advertise free homepage redesigns donated to nonprofits, which could be useful if your budget doesn't support a complete rebuild. Digital Mountaineers
• I'd ask whether they would extend that into a broader redesign.
• EDUCO Web Design — good if you want nonprofit expertise

• Chicago-area agency with 20+ years of nonprofit web-design/branding experience and clients including LISC Chicago, Women Employed, Housing Forward and BUILD Chicago. Educo Web Design
• I don't see as strong an explicit pro-bono commitment as the options above, so I'd approach them asking for nonprofit pricing or a reduced-scope proposal.

If your budget is very small

I'd actually contact these in this order:

Orbit Media → Crescendo Studios → Firebelly → Digital Mountaineers → LimeRed → EDUCO

The first four have something materially better than "we've worked with nonprofits": they have an identifiable mechanism for donated, discounted, or otherwise nonprofit-oriented work.

There's also a potentially useful route through Catchafire, which connects nonprofits with professionals willing to provide pro-bono digital/design help. Wandr Studio

One thing I'd do differently in your outreach

Don't send them "We need a website redesign. What's your price?"

Instead, give them a tight one-page project brief:

• Who you are + mission
• Current website
• What's wrong with it
• 3–5 things the new site absolutely needs to accomplish
• Approximate number of pages
• Platform currently used (WordPress, Squarespace, etc.)
• Whether you need donation/payment integration
• Your nonprofit status
• Your actual budget range, even if it's $0–$10k
• Desired launch date
• Whether you're able to provide copy, photography, and staff time

Then explicitly say you're looking for pro-bono, nonprofit-rate, or reduced-scope options.

That makes it much easier for an agency to say, "We can't do the entire redesign for free, but we can donate strategy + design," or "We can do this for $5,000 instead of $15,000."

If you tell me your nonprofit's approximate budget (e.g. $0, <$5k, $5–10k, $10–25k), size, and what the current website is, I can narrow this to the 3–4 agencies I'd actually approach and find the right contact/application pages for each.

Instead, give them a tight one-page project brief:

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly have a nonprofit/pro-bono program, rather than simply agencies that say they “work with nonprofits.” Based on what I found, there are a few especially strong leads.

My first calls

1. Orbit Media — Chicago Cause

This would be my #1 outreach if you want a serious full website redesign at little or no cost. Orbit has a dedicated pro-bono initiative called Chicago Cause and says it has helped 50+ Chicago nonprofits. They specifically showcase a recent full redesign for Chicago CRED. www.orbitmedia.com

Best for: a substantial redesign involving strategy, UX, content organization, design and development.

2. LimeRed Studio, Inc.

A Chicago design agency with a strong focus on purpose-driven organizations and nonprofits. I'd contact them if you want something brand-forward and polished, particularly if the website needs to better communicate the organization's story rather than just get a visual facelift.

3. Firebelly Design

Another very interesting Chicago option. Firebelly has a longstanding Grant for Good program through which it donates design services to a nonprofit each year. Its capabilities include UX, information architecture, content strategy, accessibility and web development—not just graphic design.

Best for: a higher-end strategic redesign where UX/content/accessibility matter.

4. Fuzzy Math

Definitely worth contacting. They have an actual history of pro-bono nonprofit website redesigns, including a redesign for Chicago nonprofit UCAN focused on improving engagement, donations, information architecture and storytelling. They also explicitly invite nonprofits to recommend themselves as pro-bono partners. fuzzymath.com

Best for: UX-heavy redesigns and figuring out what the site should actually do before redesigning it.

5. Crescendo Studios

This is probably the most straightforward option if you have some budget but not agency-budget money. Their current nonprofit program says qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, with select projects taken completely pro bono. They specifically do web design/development and nonprofit functionality such as donations, volunteer signups and events. www.crescendostudios.com

Best for: “We can spend something, but $20–50k is completely unrealistic.”

Also worth pursuing

• Taproot — not an agency, but potentially one of the best routes to free professional help. Taproot matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers, including design/creative and website-related work.
• Bark Design — Chicago studio with nonprofit/mission-driven experience and website, UX, IA and CMS capabilities. I'd ask specifically whether they have current pro-bono or nonprofit pricing.
• Statement — particularly interesting if the redesign needs messaging/brand strategy as well as the site itself.
• Prosper Strategies — more strategy/communications-oriented than a pure web shop, but potentially useful if you need to figure out positioning and audience priorities before redesigning.
• What A Great Website — a smaller Chicago web agency; nonprofit reviews specifically mention working within budget constraints.

If your budget is basically $0

I'd approach them in this order:

Orbit Media → Fuzzy Math → Firebelly → Taproot

There are also some non-Chicago options that explicitly offer free nonprofit websites. For example, Digital Mountaineers currently advertises free homepage redesigns, while WeSupportGivers advertises completely free websites for qualifying small nonprofits. digitalmountaineers.com

One important distinction

When you contact these groups, don't lead with “we need a new website.” Lead with the problem and impact:

“We're a small nonprofit in Chicago. Our current website makes it difficult for [donors/clients/volunteers] to [specific problem]. We're looking for a partner to rethink the information architecture, messaging and UX—not simply give the existing site a new visual design. Our budget is $X, and we're interested in pro-bono, discounted, or phased engagement options.”

That makes it much easier for an agency to decide whether your project is a fit.

If you tell me the nonprofit's mission, current website, approximate budget ($0 / <$5k / $5–15k / $15k+), and what you dislike about the current site, I can narrow this to 3 agencies I'd actually contact first, including the right person/program to approach and what to ask each one.

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly publish a nonprofit discount/pro-bono program, rather than simply asking a normal agency to “do nonprofit pricing.”

My shortlist

1. Taproot — best first stop for truly pro-bono help
   • Taproot matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers for pro-bono professional services, including design and website-related work.
   • This is probably the first place I’d try if your budget is close to $0.
   • Their Chicago presence is at 100 S State St.

2. Crescendo Studios — strongest explicit discounted/pro-bono offer
   • They specifically reserve time each year for nonprofits.
   • Qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, and selected projects are done pro bono.
   • They explicitly do website design/development and nonprofit-specific functionality like donations, volunteer signups and event calendars. www.crescendostudios.com
   • I'd contact them immediately. Their published application even asks for an estimated budget of $0–$5,000.

3. Digital Mountaineers — particularly interesting for a small nonprofit
   • They advertise free homepage redesigns donated to nonprofits.
   • If your existing site isn't terrible but desperately needs a better homepage/visual hierarchy, this could be a very good low-risk starting point. digitalmountaineers.com

4. Firebelly Design — excellent Chicago option, but harder to get
   • Firebelly has substantial nonprofit/social-impact experience.
   • Their Grant for Good program has historically donated design services to one nonprofit each year.
   • I'd still reach out, but I'd treat this as a long shot for full website work, rather than your primary option.

5. Windy City Web Solutions — good practical budget option
   • Chicago-based, explicitly focused on nonprofit WordPress sites.
   • They emphasize working directly with the developer rather than a large agency structure, which can make a small project more economical. windycitywebsolutions.com
   • I don't see the same explicit pro-bono commitment as Crescendo, so I'd ask for a small-nonprofit package or reduced scope.

6. Peak Digital — straightforward 15% nonprofit discount
   • They explicitly offer 15% off all services for eligible 501(c)(3)s.
   • They do WordPress/Webflow, donation integrations, accessibility, branding and ongoing support. www.peakdigitalstudio.com
   • Good choice if you have some budget but can't afford a conventional Chicago agency.

One more I'd consider

Design & Promote is in the Chicago suburbs and has a history of discounted/pro-bono design and hosting work for community organizations. Their nonprofit work isn't as explicitly website-redesign-focused as Crescendo, but they're worth approaching if you're willing to work with a suburban agency.

Who I'd contact, in order

If this were my small nonprofit, I'd send inquiries in this order:

Crescendo → Taproot → Digital Mountaineers → Windy City Web Solutions → Peak Digital → Firebelly

The first three give you the best shot at getting the project done for $0–a few thousand dollars, rather than merely getting a 10–20% agency discount.

One thing I'd not do is ask simply, “Can you redesign our website for cheap?” Instead, give them a tightly defined scope: current site, desired platform, number of pages, whether content/copy is included, donation functionality, accessibility requirements, and your actual maximum budget. That makes it much easier for a nonprofit-friendly agency to say yes.

If you tell me your nonprofit's approximate budget (e.g. $0, $1–3k, $3–7k, $7–15k), current website/platform, and what you dislike about the current site, I can narrow this to 3 agencies and tell you exactly why I'd approach each one.

For a small Chicago nonprofit, I’d prioritize agencies that either have a nonprofit practice, have a history of pro bono work, or are small enough to consider reduced-fee scopes. A full redesign can easily run into five figures, so it’s worth approaching with a clear “we’re mission-driven and budget constrained” conversation. clutch.co

Here are the ones I’d put near the top of your outreach list:

Strongest pro bono / nonprofit-friendly options

1. Orbit Media Studios — ask about Chicago Cause

• Probably the first place I’d try.
• They run a pro bono nonprofit initiative called Chicago Cause and have worked with dozens of Chicago nonprofits on websites. www.orbitmedia.com
• Good fit if you need strategy, UX, content organization, WordPress, accessibility, and a polished donor-facing site.
• Reach out through their nonprofit program and ask whether applications are open.

2. Firebelly Design — Grant for Good

• Firebelly has a long-running nonprofit giving program (“Grant for Good”) where they donate design services to a nonprofit.
• More design/branding-oriented, but they also do web and digital work.
• Worth contacting even if the grant cycle is closed; they may know partners or alternatives.

3. Fuzzy Math

• Has a documented pro bono nonprofit redesign project with UCAN Chicago. fuzzymath.com
• Best fit if your challenge is not just “make it prettier” but “our users can’t find things / donors aren’t converting / our structure is confusing.”

Good nonprofit-focused agencies (likely discounted scope rather than free)

4. Advocate Creative

• Focuses specifically on nonprofits and foundations.
• A good fit if the website needs messaging, storytelling, and fundraising alignment—not just a redesign.

5. Bark Design

• Mission-driven Chicago studio with nonprofit and cultural organization experience.
• Smaller studio may be more flexible on scope.

6. EDUCO Web Design

• Has nonprofit experience and offers web design, development, branding, and ongoing support.
• Worth asking about a nonprofit rate or phased project.

7. Paul Gregory Media

• Has nonprofit/purpose-driven experience and website redesign work. clutch.co

Also consider non-agency routes

• Local university programs: Reach out to design, UX, communications, or computer science departments at schools like DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, or Northwestern University. Graduate/student teams sometimes take nonprofit projects for portfolio experience.
• Taproot Foundation: A national skills-based volunteering network that can match nonprofits with marketing, design, and technology volunteers. www.contentstrategyportfolio.com

How I’d approach them

Don’t lead with “Can you do this for free?” Instead, send:

• nonprofit mission + who you serve
• current website URL
• what’s broken (donors can’t find info, outdated CMS, accessibility issues, etc.)
• approximate budget (even “under $5k,” “$5–10k,” or “seeking pro bono partner”)
• willingness to provide staff time/content/photos

A good first email subject:

“Chicago nonprofit seeking website redesign partner / pro bono or reduced-fee opportunity”

If you tell me your nonprofit’s size, budget range, current website platform (WordPress/Wix/etc.), and what kind of nonprofit it is, I can narrow this to the 5–6 most realistic targets.

Yes. I’d prioritize Chicago firms that already understand nonprofits and have a demonstrated history of giving away or discounting work, rather than approaching a general web shop and simply asking for a nonprofit rate.

My shortlist

1. Firebelly Design — strongest pro-bono lead

This would be my first call if your nonprofit is small and the project is genuinely mission-driven. Firebelly has run its Grant for Good program since 2003, providing a year of free design services to one nonprofit annually. Their past recipients include Chicago Freedom School, Chicago Women's Health Center, Chicago Abortion Fund, and Plant Chicago. They also explicitly do website design/development. firebellydesign.com

The catch: their full pro-bono grant is highly selective, so I'd ask whether they're accepting applications or whether they have a smaller discounted-engagement option. Contact Firebelly Design

2. Bark Design — probably my favorite fit for a small Chicago nonprofit

Bark has been doing mission-driven work in Chicago since 1997 and specifically works with nonprofits and community organizations. Their capabilities include website design/development, UX, information architecture, and CMS development. They've redesigned sites for organizations such as the Inner-City Muslim Action Network and have extensive nonprofit experience. barkdesignchicago.com

I don't see a standing public discount/pro-bono program, so I'd approach them directly with a small, tightly scoped project and a nonprofit budget rather than asking generally for "free work." Bark Design

3. Concentric Design — good if the redesign also needs branding/messaging

Concentric has actual Chicago nonprofit work, including ongoing website/design support for VOCEL and brand work for Rebuilding Exchange. Their recent nonprofit/public-health work also gets strong marks for project management and flexibility. clutch.co

This is particularly interesting if your problem isn't just "our website looks old," but the organization has evolved and the brand, messaging, navigation, and site all need to catch up.

4. What A Great Website — worth contacting if the budget is modest

This is a smaller Chicago shop focused specifically on websites rather than a large branding agency. The local-business results include nonprofit feedback describing them as helping with a website facelift while working within budget constraints. clutch.co

I'd put them on the list if you're talking about something like a $3k–$10k redesign rather than a $30k+ agency engagement.

5. EDUCO Web Design — nonprofit/web expertise, but probably not the first pro-bono ask

EDUCO is in Oak Park and has nonprofit experience, including website redesign/redevelopment work. They're particularly interesting if you're on WordPress or Drupal and need a site that staff can maintain themselves. clutch.co

One option I'd pursue alongside the agencies

Taproot isn't a web agency; it's a pro-bono professional-services organization. It matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers, including people doing website and digital/design work. For a genuinely cash-constrained small nonprofit, I'd pursue this in parallel with Firebelly and Bark.

If you don't need them to be Chicago-based

There are some unusually nonprofit-friendly firms outside Chicago that may actually be better bets for a discounted project. For example, Peak Digital explicitly gives eligible 501(c)(3)s 15% off all services, including website redesigns, while Crescendo Studios says qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, with selected projects taken entirely pro bono. www.peakdigitalstudio.com

Who I'd contact first

I'd do this in roughly this order:

Firebelly → Bark → Concentric → What A Great Website → Taproot

And I wouldn't lead with "Can you do our website for free?" I'd give them a very concrete brief:

• nonprofit/501(c)(3) status
• current website
• what isn't working
• 2–3 examples of sites you like
• approximate number of pages
• CMS you're currently using
• desired launch date
• actual maximum budget (even if it's $2,500–$10,000)
• whether you need strategy/content/branding or just design + development

That makes it much easier for an agency to say, "We can't do the whole thing pro bono, but we can do X for $Y," which is often the realistic outcome.

If you tell me your nonprofit's approximate budget (e.g. $0, <$5k, $5–15k, $15–30k), what kind of nonprofit it is, and your current website, I can narrow this to 3 agencies I'd actually approach and find the right contact/application page for each.

For a small Chicago nonprofit, I’d look less at “top web agencies” and more at firms that either specialize in nonprofits, have a mission-driven portfolio, or explicitly offer pro bono / nonprofit discounts. These are the ones I’d put on a shortlist:

Best bets for pro bono or discounted nonprofit website redesigns

Advocate Creative

Advocate Creative
Web
Address: 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
Best fit: nonprofits, foundations, advocacy organizations needing strategy + storytelling
They focus specifically on nonprofits and foundations, with experience creating websites that support fundraising, applications, and impact storytelling. www.crescendostudios.com
Reach out if: your site needs a stronger mission narrative, donor journey, or brand refresh.

Firebelly Design

Firebelly Design
Web
Address: 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Phone: +1 773-489-3200
Best fit: established nonprofits with a strong mission and some budget flexibility
Firebelly has a long history of social-impact work and runs a “Grant for Good” initiative that provides design services to a nonprofit each year. www.crescendostudios.com
Reach out if: you can make a compelling case for impact and are comfortable applying rather than expecting a standard discounted project.

Crescendo Studios

Clique Studios
Web
Address: 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Phone: +1 312-379-9329
Best fit: small nonprofits needing affordable creative help
They explicitly offer nonprofit discounts (up to 50% off standard rates) and select pro bono projects. www.crescendostudios.com
Reach out if: you need a practical redesign rather than a large enterprise build.

Bark Design

Bark Design
Web
Address: 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
Phone: +1 773-539-7185
Best fit: community organizations, arts groups, schools, cultural nonprofits
Bark positions itself around mission-driven organizations and has worked with nonprofits and cultural institutions. www.crescendostudios.com
Reach out if: visual identity, storytelling, and communications are as important as the technical rebuild.

EDUCO Web Design

EDUCO Web Design
Web
Address: 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
Phone: +1 708-613-0386
Best fit: smaller organizations wanting a manageable WordPress-style redesign
EDUCO offers web design, branding, support, and has nonprofit-oriented work. www.crescendostudios.com
Reach out if: you need something maintainable by staff after launch.

Paul Gregory Media

Paul Gregory Media
Web
Address: 50 S Main St Suit 200, Naperville, IL 60540, United States
Phone: +1 630-216-9010
Best fit: nonprofits that need website + communications help
They focus on nonprofit and purpose-driven organizations, including web design/development and ongoing marketing support. www.crescendostudios.com

Also worth contacting

• Sandstorm Design — excellent nonprofit/mission-driven digital strategy and UX, though likely more expensive; worth asking about nonprofit partnerships or scoped-down work.
• Greater Good Studio — strong social-impact design practice; better for organizations needing research, strategy, and community-centered design.
• That's So Creative, LLC — nonprofit and mission-driven branding/web support.

How I’d approach them

Small nonprofits tend to get better responses if you send:

1. Mission + who you serve (2–3 sentences)
2. Current website URL
3. What’s broken (outdated design, donations, accessibility, mobile, storytelling, CMS issues)
4. Budget range (even “$0–$5k” helps)
5. Whether you’re open to:
   • reduced scope
   • student/junior team involvement
   • sponsorship/recognition opportunities
   • phased redesign

I’d start with Advocate Creative, Crescendo Studios, Firebelly, Bark, and EDUCO for the best odds of a nonprofit-friendly conversation. www.crescendostudios.com

If you tell me the nonprofit’s size, mission area, current website platform (WordPress/Wix/etc.), and approximate budget, I can narrow this to the 5–8 agencies most likely to say yes.

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly advertise nonprofit discounts/pro bono work, rather than starting with general Chicago agencies and asking them to make an exception.

My shortlist

1. Crescendo Studios — strongest first outreach
   • Explicit nonprofit program: up to 50% off, with select projects done pro bono.
   • They specifically mention website work such as donation flows, volunteer sign-ups, and event calendars.
   • They say applications are reviewed within 48 hours. www.crescendostudios.com
   • Crescendo Studios nonprofit program

2. Firebelly Design — worth pursuing for a higher-end redesign
   • Chicago agency with substantial nonprofit experience.
   • Their Grant for Good program has historically donated design services to a nonprofit for an entire year. Their current business profile also shows substantial nonprofit/civic work and web capabilities.
   • Firebelly Design
   • I would specifically ask whether the current Grant for Good cycle is accepting applications.

3. LimeRed Studio — excellent if the redesign involves strategy + accessibility
   • Chicago-based, purpose-driven agency with nonprofit experience.
   • Particularly interesting if you need more than visual polish: information architecture, UX, accessibility, SEO, WordPress, integrations, and content strategy are all in their wheelhouse.
   • LimeRed Studio, Inc.

4. Advocate Creative — good nonprofit/foundation specialist
   • Chicago agency specifically focused on communications for nonprofits and foundations.
   • Their work includes nonprofit websites alongside brand strategy, messaging, and campaigns.
   • Advocate Creative

5. Peak Digital — straightforward nonprofit discount
   • Offers 15% off services for eligible 501(c)(3)s.
   • Specifically works with small nonprofit teams and does WordPress/Webflow sites, donation integrations, branding, and ongoing support.
   • www.peakdigitalstudio.com
   • Peak Digital nonprofit services

6. Howle Creative — potentially good for a smaller-budget project
   • Advertises nonprofit website packages at up to 20% off for projects of $1,000+.
   • Their package includes design, copywriting, mobile optimization, SEO, training, and post-launch maintenance. howlecreative.com
   • Howle Creative nonprofit web design

If your budget is really tight

I'd also investigate these before paying an agency:

• WeSupportGivers says it builds websites 100% free for qualifying small nonprofits. wesupportgivers.com WeSupportGivers
• AMA Design Agency says it selects five nonprofits per month for free five-page websites, with the nonprofit paying for hosting. freewebsitesfornonprofits.com AMA free nonprofit websites
• Emerge Helps exclusively works with nonprofits and advertises discounted accessibility work plus custom site development/redesign and free hosting. emergehelps.com

Who I'd contact first

For a small Chicago nonprofit, my order would be:

Crescendo → Firebelly → Advocate Creative → LimeRed → Peak Digital → Howle

I'd send the same concise project brief to 5–6 of them and explicitly say you're looking for pro bono, nonprofit-rate, or a tightly scoped discounted engagement. Don't just ask, "Do you do nonprofit discounts?" Give them enough information to decide whether the project is attractive to them.

If you tell me your nonprofit's mission, current website, approximate budget (even "$0–$2k"), and what you want changed, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually approach and find the right contact/application page for each.

Yes. I’d start with the organizations that explicitly advertise pro bono or nonprofit discounts, rather than approaching ordinary Chicago agencies and asking them to donate work.

My shortlist

1. Advocate Creative — Worth contacting if you want a strategy + branding + website partner. They specifically focus on nonprofits and foundations, including nonprofit website projects.

2. Digital Mountaineers — Probably my first call for a website redesign. They specialize exclusively in nonprofits/mission-driven organizations and explicitly offer free homepage redesigns. They've also done full nonprofit website redesigns and builds. digitalmountaineers.com

Digital Mountaineers

3. Crescendo Studios — Excellent if you need an actual full website redesign on a constrained budget. Their nonprofit program offers up to 50% off, with selected projects taken completely pro bono. They specifically list web design/development and say applications are reviewed within 48 hours. www.crescendostudios.com

Crescendo Studios nonprofit program

4. 90five / Give-It-All — Another strong pro-bono option. Their program covers website, design, development, branding and strategy at no cost, and they explicitly say organization size doesn't determine eligibility. www.90five.com

90five Give-It-All

5. Firebelly Design — This is a Chicago agency I'd absolutely put on the radar, particularly if your nonprofit could benefit from a more ambitious brand/website overhaul. Their long-running Grant for Good has provided a full year of free design services to small nonprofits, including website work. firebellydesign.com

Firebelly Design
Caveat: this is an annual grant rather than an always-open discounted program, so I'd contact them to ask about the current application cycle.

6. Mightybytes — A particularly good fit if you care about accessibility, sustainability, UX and a technically strong site. They're Chicago-based and have substantial mission-driven/nonprofit experience, including a major redesign for Chicago Community Trust. www.mightybytes.com

I don't see the same explicit standing pro-bono offer as the options above, so I'd approach them asking whether they have nonprofit pricing or pro-bono capacity.

If it were my nonprofit

I'd contact them in this order:

Digital Mountaineers → Crescendo → 90five → Firebelly → Advocate Creative → Mightybytes

The first three have the clearest path to getting the cost down substantially or to $0.

One other route that's worth pursuing is Taproot. Taproot connects nonprofits with skilled volunteers for things including website builds, UX improvements, design and creative work. That's potentially useful if an agency isn't available. www.mightybytes.com

What I'd send them

Don't just say "we need a website." Give them a very compact project brief:

• current website + what isn't working
• nonprofit mission and who you serve
• approximate annual budget/size
• what you want the new site to accomplish
• must-haves (donations, events, volunteer forms, newsletter, etc.)
• current CMS (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, etc.)
• whether you have staff who can maintain it
• desired launch date
• your actual budget, including if it's $0

For a small nonprofit, I'd also explicitly ask for a phased redesign. A $3–5k first phase focused on information architecture, homepage, mobile UX, accessibility and donation/volunteer flows can be much more realistic than trying to get a $20k+ agency project donated.

If you tell me what the nonprofit does, roughly how big it is, what your current site is, and your budget (even "$0–$5k"), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually contact first and find the right contact/application pages for each.

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly have a nonprofit/pro-bono program, rather than simply agencies that happen to have nonprofit clients.

My shortlist

1. Orbit Media Studios — first call

Orbit has an unusually strong Chicago nonprofit track record. Its Chicago Cause program has provided pro-bono website services to 50+ Chicago nonprofits, and its portfolio includes redesigns for Chicago CRED and Ingenuity. www.orbitmedia.com

This would be my #1 outreach, particularly if your redesign is substantial and you need strategy, UX, content structure, and development—not just a prettier homepage.

2. Firebelly Design — excellent pro-bono possibility

Firebelly Design has a particularly compelling history: its Grant for Good program has donated design services to a different nonprofit every year since 2004. Its capabilities include UX, information architecture, content strategy, accessibility, and web development.

I'd ask specifically whether your organization could be considered for the next Grant for Good cycle.

3. Crescendo Studios — strongest explicit discount option

Crescendo says qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, with select projects taken completely pro bono. It specifically lists web design/development and says applications are reviewed within 48 hours. www.crescendostudios.com

This is probably the most straightforward option if you have some budget but can't afford a normal agency engagement.

4. Digital Mountaineers — intriguing if you mainly need a homepage/initial redesign

They explicitly say they redesign homepages for free and donate them to nonprofits. digitalmountaineers.com

Worth contacting if the scope can be phased: free homepage first, then paid/discounted work for the rest of the site.

5. LimeRed Studio — strong Chicago nonprofit specialist

LimeRed Studio, Inc. is Chicago-based and does branding, web design/development, UX, accessibility, SEO, WordPress, CRM/forms/payments, etc., for purpose-driven organizations.

I don't see as strong a publicly advertised pro-bono commitment as Orbit/Firebelly/Crescendo, so I'd approach them asking for a nonprofit rate or reduced-scope engagement.

6. Statement — good "right-sized budget" candidate

Statement emphasizes right-sized solutions and specifically describes helping organizations work within limited budgets. That's potentially a better fit than a large agency if you're a small nonprofit.

Also worth trying

• Advocate Creative — Chicago agency focused on nonprofits/foundations, particularly good if the redesign also involves messaging/brand strategy.
• Mightybytes — strong mission-driven agency with particular strengths in accessibility and sustainable digital design.
• Paul Gregory Media — Naperville rather than Chicago proper, but explicitly focused on nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.
• Fuzzy Math — they have a documented pro-bono Chicago nonprofit redesign for UCAN, so I'd consider reaching out even though the program isn't as prominently advertised today. fuzzymath.com

If I were you, I'd contact these 5 first

Orbit → Firebelly → Crescendo → Digital Mountaineers → LimeRed

And I wouldn't send a generic "we need a website" inquiry. Give them a very short project brief:

• nonprofit mission + link to current site
• what is wrong with the current site
• what you want the redesign to accomplish
• approximate number of pages
• CMS (WordPress, Squarespace, etc.), if known
• desired launch date
• your actual budget, including $0 if that's the situation
• whether you need content/copywriting as well as design/development
• 501(c)(3) status

One important distinction: if you're genuinely looking for pro bono, I'd lead with Orbit and Firebelly. If you have, say, $3k–$10k available, I'd broaden the field considerably because a discounted small-agency engagement can give you much more predictable attention and a better long-term handoff than trying to win a pro-bono slot.

If you tell me your nonprofit's approximate budget, current website/CMS, and how extensive the redesign is, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually contact first and find the right contact/application pages for each.

Yes. I’d prioritize organizations with an actual nonprofit/pro-bono mechanism, rather than simply agencies that happen to have nonprofit clients.

My shortlist

1. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best Chicago agency to ask for mission-driven work
   • Chicago-based, with a strong reputation for nonprofit/purpose-driven organizations.
   • Their work tends to be thoughtful about brand, messaging and digital experience—not just “make us a prettier WordPress site.”
   • I’d contact them and explicitly ask whether they have pro-bono, reduced-rate, or nonprofit-partner availability. Their nonprofit orientation makes them worth approaching even if there isn't a standing discount publicly advertised.

2. Firebelly Design — strongest true pro-bono track record
   • This is one of the first places I'd try.
   • Firebelly's Grant for Good has provided a full year of free design services to one nonprofit annually since 2003, specifically including small nonprofits that otherwise couldn't afford an agency. Their past recipients include Chicago Freedom School and Chicago Women's Health Center. firebellydesign.com
   • The catch: this is competitive and isn't necessarily an on-demand website-redesign program.

3. Taproot — best route to genuinely free help
   • Taproot isn't an agency; it matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers.
   • Its Design & Creative program specifically includes website design, UX/UI feedback and website-redesign planning, and requests can be customized. taprootfoundation.org
   • This can be particularly good if you need someone to rethink the site's structure, messaging and UX, even if the actual development happens separately.
   • There's a nice Chicago precedent: Taproot volunteers helped Hyde Park School of Dance develop a website/branding strategy that was then ready for a developer to implement. taprootfoundation.org

4. Windy City Web Solutions — worth approaching if the budget is small
   • Chicago-based and specifically works with small organizations, including nonprofits.
   • Their focus on WordPress, maintenance and hosting makes them more practical for a small nonprofit than a large brand agency.
   • I'd ask for a nonprofit rate and a tightly scoped redesign, rather than asking them to donate the whole project.

5. Paul Gregory Media — good if you need marketing + website
   • Naperville-based but serves the Chicago area and has a particularly strong mission-driven/nonprofit focus.
   • A recent 2026 nonprofit website-redesign review praised their project management and communication. clutch.co
   • I'd ask whether they have nonprofit pricing, pro-bono capacity, or a smaller “phase 1” redesign option.

One I would definitely pursue: Orbit Media / Chicago Cause

Orbit Media Studios is probably the highest-quality Chicago option if you can get into its pro-bono program.

Their Chicago Cause program has donated more than $968,000 in web design, digital marketing, SEO and content strategy to Chicago nonprofits. The website prize includes a complete website design/development project, copywriting, strategy, analytics setup, SEO work and lifetime hosting from Orbit, with a stated value of $65,000. www.orbitmedia.com

The important part for you: applications for the next Chicago Cause cycle open in fall 2026. Eligibility includes being a Chicagoland 501(c)(3), demonstrating financial need, and working to improve the Chicago community. www.orbitmedia.com

So I would contact Orbit now, even though the application isn't open yet, and get on their radar for the fall cycle.

If you need the site sooner

I'd make these your first calls:

There are also some non-Chicago options worth knowing about if geographic location isn't essential. For example, Crescendo Studios currently advertises up to 50% off for qualifying nonprofits, with select projects taken completely pro bono, and Impact Funding Solutions has a program offering free nonprofit website design/setup. www.crescendostudios.com

What I'd say when contacting them

Don't lead with “We're a small nonprofit and can't afford a website.” Instead, give them a very concrete opportunity:

We're a Chicago 501(c)(3) looking to redesign our existing website. We're looking for help with information architecture, UX, visual design and WordPress implementation. Our current site is [X], and the biggest problems are [3 things]. We're working with a limited nonprofit budget of approximately $X. Do you have a nonprofit discount, pro-bono program, or capacity for a reduced-scope engagement?

That makes it much easier for an agency to say yes to something specific.

If you tell me your nonprofit's name/website, approximate budget (even $0–$5k), and what you dislike about the current site, I can narrow this to 3 agencies I'd actually contact first, including the right person/contact route and examples of comparable nonprofit redesigns.

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly have a nonprofit discount/pro-bono program, rather than simply asking a normal agency to “give you a nonprofit rate.”

My shortlist

1. Firebelly Design — ask about its Grant for Good
   • This is probably my first Chicago call if you’re looking for genuinely donated work. Firebelly says its Grant for Good has donated design services to a nonprofit each year since 2004.
   • They do web strategy, UX, accessibility, content strategy and development, so this isn't just a visual facelift.
   • Best approach: ask whether the current year's Grant for Good application is open, and if not, whether they have a reduced-rate pathway for smaller nonprofits. clutch.co

2. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — strong nonprofit/purpose-driven fit
   • Chicago-based and particularly focused on purpose-driven organizations.
   • Their capabilities include UX, accessibility, SEO, WordPress, content strategy and integrations.
   • I'd contact them specifically asking for a small-nonprofit scope, rather than pitching a giant redesign. clutch.co

3. Crescendo Studios — unusually explicit discount/pro-bono program
   • This is one of the strongest leads I found: they publicly say qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, with select projects taken pro bono.
   • Their application specifically includes web design/development and asks for an estimated budget of $0–$5,000, which makes it particularly relevant if you're a small organization. www.crescendostudios.com
   • I'd apply here immediately.

4. Digital Mountaineers — ask about their free homepage redesign
   • They explicitly advertise free homepage redesigns donated to nonprofits.
   • If your full site is too large for a pro-bono engagement, this could be a clever way to get the most important part—the homepage—redesigned and potentially use that as the foundation for a larger project. digitalmountaineers.com

5. EDUCO Web Design — good discounted option
   • They specialize in nonprofit/community-oriented organizations and have substantial nonprofit experience.
   • Their nonprofit page says they offer up to 20% off projects of $1,000+. www.educowebdesign.com
   • They're in Oak Park rather than Chicago proper, but close enough that I wouldn't exclude them.

6. Mightybytes — excellent if accessibility/sustainability matter
   • Chicago agency with a strong mission-driven focus.
   • Particularly interesting if your redesign needs to address accessibility, sustainability, performance, and user experience, rather than simply making the site prettier.

One more worth knowing about

Orbit Media Studios is probably one of the strongest nonprofit website specialists in Chicago, although I would not put them at the top of a pro-bono/discount hunt. They have deep nonprofit experience and publish extensive nonprofit case studies, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, and others. They also say they tailor scope to budget. www.orbitmedia.com

If I were running the outreach

I'd contact Crescendo + Firebelly + Digital Mountaineers + LimeRed first.

The key is not to say:

“We need a website redesign. Can you give us a nonprofit discount?”

Instead, give them a very concrete, constrained opportunity:

• nonprofit/501(c)(3) status
• current website
• what isn't working
• 2–3 things the new site needs to accomplish
• approximate number of pages
• whether you can provide the copy/photos
• your actual budget, even if it's very small
• desired launch date
• whether you're open to a phased redesign

That last point is important. A $3–5K agency engagement can become realistic if you say, “Let's redesign the information architecture, homepage, donation/program pages and mobile experience first; we'll migrate the remaining content ourselves.”

And if you have $0, say so. There are agencies/programs explicitly looking for nonprofit pro-bono opportunities, and pretending you have a larger budget will just waste everyone's time.

If you tell me your nonprofit's size, current website, approximate budget ($0 / <$5K / $5–10K / etc.), and what you want to change, I can narrow this to 3–5 Chicago agencies that are genuinely realistic for your situation, including who at each agency I'd approach and the best contact route.

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly have a pro-bono/discount program or a demonstrated history of doing nonprofit work, rather than simply agencies that list nonprofits in their portfolio.

My shortlist

1. Orbit Media Studios — first call

Orbit Media Studios is probably the strongest match if the primary need is a website redesign. Their Chicago Cause program has provided pro-bono website services to 50+ Chicago nonprofits since 2010, and their portfolio includes a pro-bono redesign for Chicago CRED. www.orbitmedia.com

Why I'd start here: this isn't just occasional charity work—the pro-bono program is specifically about nonprofit websites. I'd ask whether Chicago Cause is currently accepting organizations and, if not, whether they have a reduced-rate pathway.

2. Firebelly Design — excellent if you're a small 501(c)(3)

Firebelly Design has one of the clearest long-running nonprofit commitments I've found. Its Grant for Good provides a nonprofit with a year of free design services, including web design/development. They've worked with small Chicago nonprofits including Chicago Freedom School, Chicago Women's Health Center and Chicago Abortion Fund. firebellydesign.com

The catch: the current grant has fairly substantial eligibility requirements, including a $200K–$750K annual organizational budget, and the grantee needs to cover hard costs such as hosting/production. grantforgood.comfuzzymath.comwww.techforchange-il.com So this is fantastic if you qualify, but probably not the first option for a very tiny organization.

3. Crescendo Studios — potentially the best budget fit

Crescendo explicitly says qualifying nonprofits receive up to 50% off standard rates, with select projects done pro bono. Their nonprofit program specifically includes web design/development and says applications are reviewed within 48 hours. www.crescendostudios.com

I'd contact them even if your budget is only a few thousand dollars. That's much more promising than approaching a large agency asking them to donate a $30K+ project.

4. Fuzzy Math — worth approaching for UX/restructuring

Fuzzy Math has actually done pro-bono website redesign work for UCAN Chicago, including improving information architecture, donation pathways and storytelling. They also explicitly invite nonprofits to recommend themselves or another organization for pro-bono partnerships. fuzzymath.com

I'd especially consider them if your problem is "our website is confusing and we need to rethink the user experience" rather than simply "we need a prettier WordPress site."

5. Swartwerk Media Design — promising for a lower-cost build

Swartwerk says it has worked with nonprofits and charities at a discounted rate for more than a decade and specifically advertises a "Giving Back Discount." swartwerk.com That's exactly the sort of smaller shop I'd contact when a full agency engagement is out of reach.

6. TechForChange — if you're in the western suburbs

If your nonprofit is in the western suburbs of Chicago, this is particularly interesting. TechForChange connects nonprofits with professional volunteers and says it builds websites, databases, intake forms and dashboards at no cost. www.techforchange-il.com

A couple of other good nonprofit specialists

Advocate Creative would be worth contacting if the redesign involves messaging/branding as well as the website; they're specifically focused on nonprofits and foundations.

LimeRed Studio, Inc. is another strong Chicago nonprofit/purpose-driven design shop, particularly if you need accessibility, UX, WordPress and content strategy. Their work is likely more substantial-budget, though, so I'd ask about nonprofit pricing rather than assuming they'll be inexpensive.

Mightybytes is excellent for mission-driven organizations and has a particularly strong accessibility/sustainability orientation, but I'd put them in the "ask about nonprofit rates" category rather than the pro-bono-first category.

Who I'd contact, in order

If your budget is $0:
Orbit → Firebelly → Fuzzy Math → TechForChange (if geographically eligible)

If you have $1K–$10K:
Crescendo → Swartwerk → Orbit → Fuzzy Math

If you have $10K+ and want a genuinely strategic redesign:
Orbit → LimeRed → Mightybytes → Advocate Creative

One other resource I'd investigate is Northwestern Medill's Cause Marketing Initiative. It's a student-run program providing pro-bono marketing services to Chicago nonprofits, with projects typically running 2–3 months. It isn't necessarily a complete website-development solution, but it could be useful for strategy, branding, messaging and digital planning. cmi.medill.northwestern.edu

If you tell me your nonprofit's approximate annual budget, current website (URL), and what you can realistically spend ($0 / <$5K / $5–10K / $10K+), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually contact and find the right contact/application page for each.

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies with an explicit nonprofit/pro-bono mechanism, rather than simply firms that happen to have nonprofit clients. For a small nonprofit website redesign, these are the Chicago-area names I’d contact first:

My first three calls

1. Firebelly — I'd pursue their pro-bono route first. Their history is unusually compelling: they've worked pro bono with organizations including Chicago Freedom School and Chicago Women's Health Center, and their current capabilities cover the entire website redesign process. firebellydesign.com

Firebelly contact form

2. McGuffin — particularly worth pursuing if you are a 501(c)(3). Their grant is explicitly designed for organizations that don't otherwise have access to agency-quality creative work, and they've actually used it for nonprofit website/UX work. The 2026 application window was March 16–April 15, so that particular cycle has passed, but I'd still contact them about whether they have other nonprofit opportunities or can discuss the next cycle. mcguffincg.com

McGuffin Grant details/application
McGuffin contact page

3. Advocate Creative — I'd approach them directly for a small-nonprofit rate or partial pro bono arrangement. Their nonprofit specialization is unusually deep, and their work spans branding, messaging, websites, campaigns and digital. advocatecreative.com

One more option outside the agency world

If your budget is close to $0, I'd also look at TechForChange. It connects nonprofits in Chicago's western suburbs with professional volunteers and explicitly offers free website development and other technology work. www.techforchange-il.com

TechForChange

And there's an interesting national option, Crescendo Studios, which explicitly offers qualifying nonprofits up to 50% off and selected projects pro bono, including website design/development. I wouldn't put it ahead of the Chicago agencies, but it's worth applying if you're looking for a genuinely discounted engagement. www.crescendostudios.com

Crescendo nonprofit program

How I'd approach them

Don't send a generic "we need a new website" inquiry. Tell them:

• you're a small nonprofit
• your 501(c)(3) status
• what the current site is failing to do
• what you want the new site to accomplish
• approximate number of pages
• whether you need donations, events, volunteer registration, memberships, etc.
• your actual budget, even if it's $0–$5k
• whether you're flexible on WordPress/Squarespace/etc.
• your desired launch date
• and, importantly, that you're open to a pro-bono, discounted, grant, or phased engagement

That gives an agency several ways to say yes rather than forcing them into an all-or-nothing $20k+ redesign.

If you tell me your nonprofit's mission, approximate budget (even "$0"), current website, and whether you're a 501(c)(3), I can narrow this to the 5 best targets and find the right person/contact route for each.