ChatGPT answers, unedited

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

For a mid-sized nonprofit that needs both donor/CRM integration and meaningful website UX work, I’d put Heller Consulting and Orbit Media at the top of the conversation, but they serve somewhat different needs.

• Heller Consulting — 53 W Jackson Blvd, in the Loop. Their core strength is nonprofit CRM strategy and implementation, including Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics, rather than primarily visual web design. They’re a particularly relevant option if the donor database is the harder part of the project. Loop Chicago Loop Chicago
• Orbit Media Studios — Orbit has substantial nonprofit UX/web experience in Chicago, including work for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre and other nonprofits. Their documented capabilities include UX/UI, accessibility, donation flows, and integrations. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios
• Thirdwave — 15 W Hubbard St in River North. This is another downtown option I'd interview if the project has significant custom integration or technical complexity; their focus is web platforms, UX and integration-heavy builds.
• Neoteric Design — 29 E Madison St in the Loop. Worth considering if sophisticated UX/web application work is more important than having a deeply specialized nonprofit fundraising consultancy.

Who I'd hire

If you want one agency to own the website UX and donor-data integration, I'd start the RFP/interview process with Orbit Media, while bringing Heller Consulting into the process if your CRM architecture is complicated.

I wouldn't make the decision based simply on portfolio aesthetics. Ask each finalist to show you a recent nonprofit project where the website, donation forms, CRM/donor database, email platform and analytics were connected, and have them explain exactly which system owns each piece of donor data.

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I'd specifically require the proposal to cover:

1. Current-state donor/CRM audit and data mapping.
2. UX research with donors and other key audiences.
3. Donation and conversion-flow redesign.
4. CRM integration and two-way/one-way data synchronization, as appropriate.
5. Accessibility (WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA).
6. Analytics and attribution from website visit → donation → donor record.
7. Data migration/cleanup and duplicate handling.
8. Staff training and post-launch support.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, etc.) and your approximate website budget, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and compare their relevant experience and likely fit.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 668 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren 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
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

For a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit needing both donor-database integration and website UX, I’d put Heller Consulting, LimeRed Studio, Inc., and Thirdwave on the shortlist.

How I’d distinguish them

• Heller Consulting — strongest if the database/CRM is the hardest part.

They’re at 53 W Jackson Blvd downtown and specialize in nonprofit technology strategy and CRM implementations, including Salesforce and connected constituent systems. Their work is more systems/technology consulting than pure web design. Blackbaud

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — strongest if UX and the donor-facing experience are equally important.

They’re Chicago-based and work with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, with capabilities spanning UX/UI, information architecture, accessibility, WordPress, and integrations with CRM/forms/payments. Tkist

• Thirdwave — worth considering for a technically complex website.

They’re in River North and emphasize strategy, design, engineering, integrations, and ongoing support. I’d particularly consider them if the website needs substantial custom functionality rather than primarily a redesign. Orbit Media Studios

One important wrinkle: “downtown Chicago” and “best fit” point in slightly different directions. Some of the nonprofit specialists I found are outside the Loop. For example, Sandstorm Design is in Ravenswood and has a particularly strong UX/digital-experience orientation for purpose-driven organizations.

If I were running the RFP, I would not hire based on portfolios alone. I'd give 3 firms the same brief and require them to explain, in writing, how they would handle:

1. Your existing donor CRM/database and data migration.
2. Donation forms → CRM → acknowledgment/stewardship workflow.
3. Duplicate records, constituent IDs, householding and data hygiene.
4. UX research and donor journey mapping—not just visual redesign.
5. Accessibility and mobile donation experience.
6. Analytics connecting website behavior to fundraising outcomes.
7. Who owns the integration architecture after launch.
8. A realistic 12-month total cost, including maintenance.

My practical shortlist would be Heller + LimeRed + Thirdwave, because together they give you three different approaches to compare: CRM-led, UX-led, and engineering-led. I would ask each for a paid discovery/architecture proposal rather than jumping directly into a website build. That will expose whether they actually understand your donor-data problem before you commit to a large implementation.

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States

For a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit needing both donor-database integration and a substantially better website UX, I’d put CauseHouse on the shortlist first.

They specifically position themselves around the combination you described: nonprofit websites, CRM architecture, digital fundraising, UX, donation flows, and connecting the website/CRM/reporting into one system. CauseHouse

A useful shortlist:

• CauseHouse — Strongest apparent fit if the project is fundamentally “make our website, donor journey, and CRM work as one system.” They explicitly offer nonprofit web design, CRM consulting, Salesforce for nonprofits, fundraising strategy, and integrations. CauseHouse
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — Good option if UX, accessibility, information architecture, and design are especially important. Their listed services include UX/UI, WordPress development, and CRM/forms/payments integrations.
• Heller Consulting — Consider if the donor database/CRM implementation is the harder part of the project. They're at 53 W Jackson Blvd and specialize in nonprofit CRM strategy and implementation, including Salesforce.
• Clique Studios — A downtown option at 20 N Wacker with substantial UX, website/platform redesign, accessibility, and engineering capabilities. I'd investigate them if this is a larger digital-transformation project.
• Thirdwave — At 15 W Hubbard in River North; particularly worth considering if you have complex integrations or a technically sophisticated website/platform.

Who I'd interview

Rather than choosing purely on reputation, I'd invite CauseHouse, LimeRed, and Heller to the same discovery/RFP process. They cover somewhat different centers of gravity: integrated nonprofit digital ecosystem, UX/web design, and CRM architecture respectively.

One important distinction: if you tell me which donor database/CRM you use now (e.g. Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, EveryAction/Bonterra, Neon, etc.) and roughly your website budget, I can narrow this to the agencies that have the most relevant integration experience and give you a side-by-side comparison.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, 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

If the two must-have capabilities are donor database/CRM integration + strong nonprofit UX, I’d put Orbit Media Studios at the top of the shortlist.

My pick: Orbit Media Studios

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

Orbit is a particularly good fit for a mid-sized nonprofit because they combine UX, web development, content strategy, analytics, and integrations rather than treating the website as just a branding exercise. They explicitly work with nonprofit organizations and have experience integrating websites with CRMs and other systems. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

Their nonprofit portfolio is also convincing: they redesigned sites for organizations including Greater Chicago Food Depository, Gift of Hope, Goodman Theatre, and Off the Street Club. The Off the Street Club project reportedly produced a 15% increase in donation conversion, while Gift of Hope focused heavily on donor registration, donations, and clearer UX paths. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

orbitmedia.com

Two others I'd interview

• Mightybytes, Inc. — I'd choose them if accessibility, responsible data practices, and mission-driven digital strategy are especially important. They have substantial nonprofit experience and offer UX research/testing, web development, integrations, and ongoing support. Mightybytes Mightybytes
• Beth Interactive — worth serious consideration if the project is more fundraising/CRM-centric than website-centric. They're particularly focused on donor engagement, fundraising technology, database management, digital donor journeys, and analytics.

Who I'd hire

Orbit, assuming their proposal demonstrates hands-on experience with your specific donor database.

That's the key qualification I'd make non-negotiable. Don't accept “we integrate with CRMs” as sufficient. In the finalist interviews, ask Orbit to walk you through:

1. A nonprofit project using the same CRM/database you use.
2. Exactly how donor records, forms, gifts, preferences, and consent data will flow between the website and database.
3. How they'll prevent duplicate constituent records.
4. Who owns the integration code and documentation after launch.
5. How they'll test donation flows and data synchronization before launch.
6. Their plan for accessibility and mobile donation UX.
7. Three references from nonprofits of roughly your size.

One caveat: Orbit is likely the stronger website/UX choice, whereas Beth Interactive may be stronger if the heart of your problem is fundraising operations and donor data. So I'd invite both to pitch against the same RFP rather than choosing solely on portfolio quality.

• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

If you want one firm to own both donor-system integration and the website/UX, I’d put CauseHouse at the top of the shortlist. It is explicitly nonprofit-focused and combines web design, CRM architecture, digital fundraising, analytics, and integrations rather than treating the website as a standalone project. CauseHouse

My shortlist

1. CauseHouse — best overall fit

• Nonprofit-only focus.
• Covers website UX + fundraising systems + CRM + integrations + reporting.
• Their stated approach is to map the donor journey, architect the UX/data system, then connect the website, CRM, fundraising and automation layers. CauseHouse
• My pick for a mid-sized nonprofit if you want one accountable partner rather than coordinating several vendors.
• Dialogue Theory — best for sophisticated UX

• Chicago-based and focused on nonprofits, social-impact and civic organizations.
• Particularly strong on UX/UI, digital experience strategy, accessibility and engineering.
• I'd favor them if the website experience and audience journeys are the primary challenge, with a specialist handling the donor CRM integration if necessary.
• Heller Consulting — best for complex CRM/data architecture

• Downtown Chicago office.
• Stronger choice if your donor database is the complicated part—CRM selection, ecosystem architecture, migrations and connecting systems across departments.
• Their work with organizations such as Greater Chicago Food Depository is particularly relevant.
• Solid Digital — best downtown website/UX option

• Located at 100 N LaSalle St.
• Strong web design, UX/UI and technical execution, although they're not as specifically nonprofit/CRM-oriented as CauseHouse.

One other Chicago firm worth knowing is Beth Interactive. They're especially focused on digital philanthropy, donor journeys, fundraising and analytics, so I'd consider them if online fundraising performance is more important than a wholesale website rebuild.

Who I'd hire

I'd interview CauseHouse first, Heller second, and Dialogue Theory third.

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I'd give the finalists a very specific challenge: “Here is our current website, donor database/CRM, donation platform, email system and analytics. Show us how you would redesign the donor journey and make these systems talk to each other.”

Don't let the agencies respond with just a pretty homepage concept. You want to see the actual data architecture and donor journey: website → donation → CRM record → acknowledgment → segmentation → stewardship → reporting.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you currently use (e.g. Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Neon, EveryAction) and roughly what your website is built on, I can narrow this to the one agency I'd actually hire and compare likely fit, cost level, and relevant Chicago nonprofit work.

• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602
• Flamingo Agency - 3752 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
• Digital Ninja Consulting - 203 N La Salle Dr #2100, Chicago, IL 60601
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611
• IDE Interactive, Inc. - 2945 W Peterson Ave Ste 103, Chicago, IL 60659
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ice Nine Online - 444 W Lake St Ste 1700, Chicago, IL 60606
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Proceed Innovative - 1501 Woodfield Rd Ste 112E, Schaumburg, IL 60173
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606

If I were hiring for a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor/CRM integration and a genuinely good website UX, I’d put Clarity Partners at the top of the shortlist.

My pick: Clarity Partners

Clarity is the strongest fit if the donor database integration is a substantial part of the project, rather than simply connecting a donation form. They did a major platform/integration project for The Chicago Community Trust, including Salesforce, donor portals, data migration, Boomi integration, and a more modern donor-facing UX. Clarity Partners

Why I'd hire them:

• Strong evidence of handling complex donor data + Salesforce integrations
• Experience with donor-facing UX, not just backend IT
• Appropriate for a mid-sized organization that may have multiple systems that need to talk to each other
• Less likely than a pure web agency to underestimate the data/integration work

Two others I'd interview

• Solid Digital — a downtown Chicago agency at 100 N. LaSalle. I'd consider them if website strategy, UX, and digital experience are the dominant priorities and the CRM integration is relatively straightforward.
• Flamingo Agency — Chicago-based and specifically markets nonprofit website work, including donation systems. Their nonprofit offering covers UX/design and integrations, and their published nonprofit projects are generally in the smaller-to-mid-market range. Flamingo Agency

I'd also look at Orbit Media Studios if you're willing to broaden beyond strictly downtown. They're particularly compelling on nonprofit UX/content architecture and integrations; their nonprofit work includes the Greater Chicago Food Depository and other Chicago-area organizations. Orbit Media Studios

How I'd make the decision

Don't select the agency based on the prettiest portfolio. In your RFP/interviews, give each finalist the same scenario:

"We have an existing donor database/CRM, a legacy website, online donations, email marketing, and multiple sources of constituent data. We want a redesigned website with substantially better donor UX while making the underlying data flow reliable."

Then ask them to show you the proposed data architecture and donor journey, not just website mockups.

I'd weight the selection roughly:

1. CRM/donor integration expertise — 30%
2. UX and donor conversion strategy — 25%
3. Nonprofit experience — 15%
4. Technical accessibility/security/data governance — 15%
5. Cost and ongoing support — 15%

Bottom line: If I had to choose one agency today, I'd interview Clarity first. If the project is primarily a website/UX transformation with lighter integration requirements, I'd put Orbit or Solid Digital ahead of it.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.), your approximate website budget, and whether you need to stay downtown, I can narrow this to 3 agencies and tell you exactly which one I'd hire.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 668 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• LIMIT8 | Nonprofit Web Design Experts - 350 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10025, United States

If the brief is donor database/CRM integration + serious website UX for a mid-sized nonprofit, I’d put Orbit Media Studios at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Orbit Media Studios — best overall fit

• Strong nonprofit track record, including Gift of Hope and Nourishing Hope. Their nonprofit work specifically combines UX, donation journeys, accessibility, content strategy, and development. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios
• They explicitly specialize in connecting websites to CRMs, marketing automation, databases, forms, payment systems, and other parts of the technology stack. Orbit Media Studios
• My pick if you want one agency to own the website, UX, integrations, and post-launch optimization.
• Caveat: they're in Ravenswood rather than the Loop/downtown proper, and they can be relatively premium-priced.
• Mightybytes, Inc. — best mission-driven/UX alternative

• Particularly strong for nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations, with substantial UX, strategy, accessibility, and digital-system experience. Mightybytes Mightybytes
• Their approach is unusually good if you want to rethink the whole digital ecosystem, rather than simply redesign the website.
• They are smaller, which can mean a more hands-on engagement, though I'd ask about capacity for a mid-sized integration project. Mightybytes
• Also not downtown proper.
• Heller Consulting — consider if the CRM/database is the hardest part

• They're actually downtown at 53 W Jackson Blvd and specialize in nonprofit CRM strategy and implementation, including Salesforce and broader constituent-data ecosystems.
• I'd favor them if your core problem is messy donor data, CRM migration, Salesforce architecture, integrations, or technology strategy. I'd pair that with a dedicated UX/web shop if necessary.

Who I'd hire

Orbit, assuming your donor database isn't an unusually complex CRM transformation. Their combination of nonprofit experience, UX, custom development, and explicit systems integration is the closest match to your brief. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

If the project is more like “our Salesforce/Blackbaud/etc. implementation is a mess and the website needs to be rebuilt around it,” I'd instead start with Heller Consulting and potentially have them bring in/coordinate the web UX capability.

For an RFP, I'd make the agencies demonstrate one real donor journey end-to-end: website → donation form → CRM record → acknowledgment → segmentation/marketing → reporting. That will tell you much more than a pretty portfolio.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (e.g. Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.) and your rough budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 and tell you exactly what I'd ask each agency.

• UX 4Sight - 111 W Jackson Blvd Unit 1700, Chicago, IL 60604
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613
• VisualFizz - 875 N Michigan Ave 31st floor, Chicago, IL 60611
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• IDE Interactive, Inc. - 2945 W Peterson Ave Ste 103, Chicago, IL 60659
• Proceed Innovative - 1501 Woodfield Rd Ste 112E, Schaumburg, IL 60173
• Flamingo Agency - 3752 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614
• Dream Hustle Code - 125 S Wacker Dr STE 300, Chicago, IL 60606
• Sustainable Online Presence - 5147 N Mulligan Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
• The Office of Experience, LLC - 980 N Michigan Ave Ste 1090, Chicago, IL 60611
• DonationXchange - 118 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661

For a mid-sized nonprofit in downtown Chicago needing both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a general web design shop alone. You want an agency that can connect the fundraising stack (CRM, donation forms, email, analytics, CMS) and improve the supporter journey.

My shortlist:

1. UX 4Sight — best fit if UX is the priority

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13122240095)

They are downtown and specifically UX-focused, which is valuable if your problem is a confusing donor journey, poor conversion rates, or a website that does not reflect your fundraising strategy.

Hire them if you need:

• Donor-centered website redesign
• UX research/testing
• Improved donation flows
• Information architecture cleanup

Ask them: “Who handles CRM/donor platform integrations on your team or through partners?”

2. Orbit Media Studios — strong nonprofit website + strategy option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17733484581)

Orbit is a well-known Chicago web agency with deep experience in content strategy, UX, analytics, and WordPress-based builds.

Hire them if you need:

• A website that better converts visitors into donors
• Content strategy and SEO
• CMS modernization
• Analytics-driven improvements

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I would ask specifically about experience integrating with:

• Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud / NPSP
• Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge
• Bloomerang
• Neon CRM
• EveryAction/Bonterra

3. VisualFizz — good if branding + digital experience are involved

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735991829)

They are located near downtown and focus on digital experiences and web design.

Hire them if:

• Your nonprofit needs a stronger public-facing brand
• You are combining a redesign with a fundraising campaign
• You need a polished donor experience

4. Windy City Web Solutions — practical downtown option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+18478019482)

They are located in the Loop area and focus on website design/development.

Hire them if:

• Budget and accessibility matter
• You need a reliable implementation partner
• The CRM architecture is already mostly decided

My recommendation

For your exact description, I would run a short RFP with:

1. UX 4Sight — if donor experience and usability are the biggest issues
2. Orbit Media Studios — if you need the strongest overall nonprofit website strategy
3. VisualFizz — if this is also a brand refresh/campaign initiative

Before signing, require that the agency can show:

• 2–3 nonprofit examples
• A donor CRM integration they personally implemented
• Their approach to donation conversion optimization
• Accessibility compliance (WCAG)
• Data migration/deduplication plan
• Post-launch analytics and optimization

A good project brief would say: “We need a donor journey redesign, CRM-connected website, improved donation conversion, and a maintainable system our fundraising team can operate.”

Also, clarify your current donor database first (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.)—the best agency choice changes a lot depending on that. Nonprofit CRM selection and integration are often the harder part than the website itself. grantpipe.com casestudies.com

• 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
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 668 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Modern DCA - 1440 W Taylor St #1009, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

If I were hiring for a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor-database integration and a materially better website UX, I’d put CauseHouse at the top of the shortlist.

My recommendation

1. CauseHouse — best overall fit

CauseHouse is unusually aligned with the combination you described: nonprofit-focused website/UX work plus CRM, fundraising infrastructure, analytics, and integrations. They explicitly position the website, donor journey, CRM, and reporting as one connected system rather than separate projects. CauseHouse

That matters because I'd avoid hiring a pure web-design shop and then discovering six months later that the new donation flow doesn't properly sync with your donor database.

Why I'd hire them:

• Nonprofit-only focus.
• UX and donation-flow strategy.
• CRM consulting and Salesforce nonprofit expertise.
• Integration of website, fundraising, CRM, and reporting.
• Appropriate positioning for a growing/mid-sized organization rather than only huge enterprise implementations. CauseHouse

Two strong alternatives

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — I'd choose this if UX, branding, messaging, and the overall digital experience are the biggest priorities. They're a Chicago agency focused heavily on nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations, with UX/UI, WordPress, accessibility, analytics, and CRM/form/payment integrations.
• Heller Consulting — I'd choose this if the database/CRM transformation is the hardest part. They're particularly strong around nonprofit CRM strategy and Salesforce implementations, including connecting constituent experiences across departments.

A fourth option worth talking to is Thirdwave if your website will involve substantial custom development, APIs, portals, or other technically complicated integrations. They're in River North and specialize in integration-heavy digital platforms.

Who I'd actually interview

I'd issue an RFP/RFQ to CauseHouse, LimeRed, and Heller and make them solve the same hypothetical problem:

"We need to redesign our website around donor/user journeys and connect it cleanly to our existing donor CRM, including donation processing, constituent records, email/marketing data, analytics, and reporting."

Then ask each agency to show the proposed data flow, not just website mockups.

I'd score them roughly:

Bottom line: hire CauseHouse unless the proposals reveal a major mismatch with your existing CRM. They look like the best single-vendor answer to the exact combination of donor data + website UX + fundraising infrastructure you're describing.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Blackbaud, Neon, etc.), approximate annual budget, and whether you need a full website rebuild, I can narrow this to the one agency I'd hire and what I think you should expect to pay.

• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Flamingo Agency - 3752 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614
• IDE Interactive, Inc. - 2945 W Peterson Ave Ste 103, Chicago, IL 60659
• Neon One, LLC - 1449 S Michigan Ave Ste 13860, Chicago, IL 60605
• Ice Nine Online - 444 W Lake St Ste 1700, Chicago, IL 60606
• Simpalm | App & Web Development Company - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601
• Proceed Innovative - 1501 Woodfield Rd Ste 112E, Schaumburg, IL 60173
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613

For a mid-sized nonprofit that needs both donor/CRM integration and a genuinely good website UX, I’d put Digital Mountaineers at the top of the shortlist.

• Best fit: Digital Mountaineers — Their work is explicitly nonprofit-focused, and they highlight streamlined data transfers, donation growth, and technical integration. That combination is unusually close to your brief. Digital Mountaineers
• Strong alternative: CauseHouse — They specifically position themselves around the intersection of UX, websites, donor journeys, CRM, fundraising, and reporting, rather than treating the website as an isolated project. CauseHouse
• Best if fundraising strategy is the priority: Beth Interactive — Chicago-based and focused heavily on digital donor engagement, philanthropy, analytics, and nonprofit fundraising. Beth Interactive
• Worth interviewing for a more technical web build: Windy City Web Solutions — They specifically describe connecting online donation forms to donor systems and building accessible nonprofit websites. Windy City Web Solutions

Who I'd hire

Start with Digital Mountaineers and CauseHouse. I'd give them essentially the same RFP and see which team can demonstrate the strongest combination of:

1. Your actual CRM/donor platform experience — e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.
2. Data architecture — two-way synchronization, deduplication, constituent IDs, donation attribution, and reporting.
3. Donor UX — especially donation forms, recurring giving, campaign landing pages, and mobile conversion.
4. Staff UX — your development/communications staff need to be able to manage the site and data without constantly calling the agency.
5. Accessibility — WCAG/ADA should be part of the build, not a post-launch add-on.
6. Post-launch support — integrations tend to be where nonprofit website projects become painful six months later.

One particularly relevant Chicago precedent is the Chicago Loop Alliance's website/CRM RFP, which called for a website, CRM/association management system, donor tracking, events, payments, UX/accessibility, and financial-system synchronization. That's a good model for the requirements I'd put into your own RFP. Loop Chicago Loop Chicago

My ranking for your use case: Digital Mountaineers → CauseHouse → Beth Interactive.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you currently use (and roughly your website budget), I can narrow this to one agency I'd actually hire and compare their likely strengths, weaknesses, and fit.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Solid Digital - 100 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

For a mid-sized nonprofit in downtown Chicago needing both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a general web design shop. You want a partner that understands fundraising workflows, CRM/data architecture, donor journeys, accessibility, and conversion optimization.

My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Heller Consulting

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+12242417489)

Best for: Salesforce/CRM complexity, donor database integration, nonprofit technology strategy

Why I’d put them first:

• They specialize in nonprofit technology strategy rather than just websites.
• Strong fit if you are dealing with Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud/NPSP, legacy CRM migration, integrations, reporting, and adoption.
• Their Chicago office is in the Loop.
• They have documented experience with complex nonprofit data migrations and CRM implementations.

Potential downside:

• They may be more technology/operations-heavy than a pure UX agency. I would pair them with a design-focused partner if your website experience needs a major overhaul.

Hire them if: your donor database is messy, disconnected, or mission-critical.

2. Best UX + donor experience specialist: Beth Interactive

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17733324022)

Best for: fundraising websites, donor journeys, digital engagement

Why they’re compelling:

• They focus specifically on nonprofit fundraising and donor engagement.
• Their services include digital donor journey audits, website analysis, fundraising strategy, and database-related support.
• Good fit for a nonprofit that wants the website to drive more donations, event registrations, memberships, or advocacy actions.

Potential downside:

• If you need a deep enterprise CRM re-architecture, confirm their technical integration depth.

Hire them if: your main goal is “make the website turn more visitors into supporters.”

3. Best UX/design partner: Sandstorm Design

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

Best for: research-driven UX, accessible websites, complex content organizations

Why they stand out:

• Chicago-based UX/digital experience firm with nonprofit and mission-driven experience.
• Strong on information architecture, usability, accessibility, and governance.

Potential downside:

• I would verify specific donor CRM integration experience before awarding the full project.

Hire them if: your website is the biggest pain point and the CRM work is relatively contained.

4. Strong mission-driven digital studio: Dialogue Theory

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

Best for: nonprofits needing strategy + UX + storytelling

They are a Chicago digital experience studio focused on mission-driven organizations, with UX/UI, content strategy, and digital platform work.

Hire them if: your challenge is translating your mission into a compelling digital experience.

My recommendation by scenario

For a typical mid-sized nonprofit ($3M–$50M budget) replacing an outdated website and connecting it to a donor CRM, I would probably run a shortlist of:

1. Heller Consulting (CRM/integration lead)
2. Beth Interactive (fundraising UX lead)
3. Sandstorm Design (website UX lead)

I would ask each candidate for:

• 2–3 nonprofit references with similar donor volume
• examples of CRM-to-website integrations
• their approach to donor journey mapping
• accessibility standards (WCAG)
• post-launch analytics and optimization plan

A good project team often ends up being a CRM specialist + UX/web partner, rather than forcing one agency to be excellent at both. claritypartners.com philanthropy.com

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, 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
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 668 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, 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

If you want one Chicago firm to shortlist first, I’d hire Heller Consulting—with one caveat: I’d bring in a UX/web specialist if the website redesign is a major part of the engagement.

My recommendation

1. Heller Consulting — best for the donor-data/CRM side

Heller is unusually well matched to a mid-sized nonprofit because it works exclusively with mission-driven organizations and has deep experience with CRM strategy, migrations, integrations, data architecture, implementation, and staff adoption. Its Chicago office is in the Loop at 53 W Jackson Blvd. Heller Consulting JCA

If your donor database is Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, or you're considering changing CRMs, Heller would be my first call. Its published capabilities cover Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge NXT, Classy, DonorPerfect, Luminate and other nonprofit systems. JCA

2. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best if UX/site experience is equally important

LimeRed is Chicago-based and specifically works with nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations. Its services span UX research, information architecture, accessibility, UX/UI, WordPress development, and CRM/forms/payments integrations.

I'd favor LimeRed if the project is fundamentally "redesign our website and make the donor journey work beautifully, while connecting it to our database."

3. Thirdwave — best for a technically complex website

Thirdwave is downtown/River North and has a strong web-development and integration orientation. It's worth considering if you have a complicated CMS, custom functionality, portals, APIs, or multiple systems that need to talk to one another.

4. Beth Interactive — best for donor experience/fundraising

Beth Interactive is a Chicago nonprofit-focused digital philanthropy agency. Its work includes digital donor engagement, analytics, database management, web audits and donor-journey audits. Beth Interactive

Who I'd actually hire

For a mid-sized nonprofit, my ranking would be:

If you're asking me to pick one: Heller if the donor database is the harder problem; LimeRed if the website/UX is the harder problem.

One important distinction: don't hire a conventional branding/web agency and expect them to figure out your donor-data architecture. For a nonprofit, the integration between website → donation form → CRM → email/marketing → finance/reporting is where projects can become expensive and messy. A good example of why this matters is Chicago Children's Advocacy Center's emphasis on reliable, connected donor data and automated development/finance workflows. Blackbaud

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you currently use (e.g. Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.) and roughly what your website is built on, I can narrow this to the 2–3 firms I'd put into an RFP and tell you exactly what I'd ask each one to quote.

• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 668 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622

If the requirement is one Chicago agency that can own both the nonprofit website/UX and the underlying donor/CRM integration, I’d put Mightybytes at the top of the shortlist—but I’d also interview Heller Consulting if the database work is especially complex.

My recommendation

1. Mightybytes, Inc. — best overall fit

Mightybytes is a Chicago-based, purpose-driven digital agency with substantial nonprofit experience. Their capabilities span UX research/design, information architecture, web development, accessibility, data strategy and integrations, rather than treating the website as a standalone creative project. Mightybytes

A particularly relevant proof point is their work with the Chicago Community Trust, where they worked on both user experience and data-heavy digital experiences, including improving how users interacted with registration/data systems. Mightybytes

Why I'd choose them: For a mid-sized nonprofit, I'd favor an agency that can sit between development, UX, data and organizational stakeholders—not just hand you a pretty new website.

2. Heller Consulting — best if CRM/database integration is the hard part

Heller has a Chicago Loop office and is much more heavily oriented toward nonprofit technology, CRM strategy, Salesforce/NPSP, database migration and integration. Heller Consulting

I'd choose Heller over Mightybytes if you're talking about a genuinely messy donor database—migration, deduplication, Salesforce architecture, constituent data mapping, etc.—and potentially pair them with a UX/web specialist.

3. Sandstorm Design — best UX-heavy alternative

Sandstorm is another strong Chicago option if the primary problem is research-driven UX and a sophisticated digital experience, with nonprofit experience and integration capabilities. Sandstorm Design

One important caveat

I wouldn't hire anyone yet based simply on their portfolio. I'd give the finalists the same short brief:

"We need to redesign our nonprofit website, improve donor UX, and integrate the website with our existing donor database/CRM. Show us exactly how you'd approach discovery, data architecture, UX research, integration, migration, testing and post-launch optimization."

Ask each agency to name the actual CRM/database platforms they've integrated with, not merely say "we do integrations."

My ranking for your situation:

1. Mightybytes — best single-agency balance of nonprofit + UX + technology
2. Heller Consulting — strongest if donor database/CRM complexity dominates
3. Sandstorm Design — strongest UX/design-oriented alternative

One thing I'd verify before issuing an RFP is whether your database is Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, EveryAction/Bonterra, Neon One, or something else. That could materially change my recommendation.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 668 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren 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
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

If you want one firm to own both the donor-data/integration side and the website UX, I’d shortlist Heller Consulting first—but with an important caveat: they’re stronger on nonprofit technology/CRM than on being a traditional creative UX agency.

My recommendation

1. Heller Consulting — best overall for the integration-heavy project

They’re in the Loop at 53 W Jackson Blvd and specialize exclusively in mission-driven organizations. Their work includes CRM strategy, data migration, Salesforce implementations, integrations, training, and change management. Their Chicago work with Loyola, for example, involved Salesforce implementation, data migration, configuration, training, and donor/event portals. Heller Consulting

Why I'd hire them: If your website project is really an "our donor database, website, forms, email, and reporting all need to work together" project, Heller is the safest choice.

2. Sandstorm Design — best if UX is the bigger priority

Chicago-based and substantially more design/UX-oriented. They specialize in research-driven digital experiences and have experience with nonprofits, healthcare, higher ed, and associations. I'd consider them if the organization needs a significant information architecture, UX research, accessibility, and website redesign, with CRM integration as one component.

3. Dialogue Theory — best smaller, high-touch option

They're a Chicago digital design/development studio working with mission-driven organizations, with an emphasis on UX/UI and complex digital experiences. I'd look at them if you want a smaller team rather than a large consulting engagement.

One important distinction

If by "donor database integration" you mean something substantial—e.g. Salesforce/Raiser’s Edge/Bloomerang ↔ website ↔ donation forms ↔ email platform ↔ accounting—I would not choose a web-design agency first. I'd choose the nonprofit CRM/integration partner and make UX part of the scope.

If you mainly need a new donor-friendly website with the existing database connected, I'd reverse that and put Sandstorm or Dialogue Theory first.

For a mid-sized nonprofit, my RFP shortlist would therefore be:

• Heller Consulting — CRM/data/integration lead
• Sandstorm Design — UX/web lead
• Dialogue Theory — smaller integrated design/development option

I'd ask all three to respond to the same technical brief, including your current donor database/CRM, donation processor, email platform, CMS, required integrations, accessibility requirements, and examples of donor journeys they have redesigned. That will expose very quickly who actually understands the intersection of fundraising operations + UX, rather than simply selling you a prettier website.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, etc.) and roughly what your website budget is, I can narrow this to the one I'd hire and give you a side-by-side comparison.

• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Zora Digital - WeWork, 20 W Kinzie St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Kym Abrams Design - 213 W Institute Pl, Ste 608, Chicago, IL 60610

For a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a pure web design shop. You want an agency that understands mission-driven digital experiences + CRM/data flows (Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, HubSpot, EveryAction, Bloomerang, etc.).

My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Maven Digital

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-417-9420)

Why I’d put them first: They sit closer to a digital transformation partner than a traditional website agency. Their background includes nonprofits, foundations, and complex stakeholder environments.

Best for:

• Website UX strategy and redesign
• Constituent journeys (donor → supporter → advocate)
• Digital platforms tied to organizational goals
• Organizations that need discovery, not just execution

Ask them specifically:

“Can you lead a donor data architecture review and map our CRM, donation platform, email platform, and website into one supporter journey?”

2. Best UX/web experience agency: Sandstorm Design

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

Why consider them: Strong UX reputation and experience with purpose-driven organizations. They are a better fit if your biggest pain point is that your website is confusing, outdated, or not converting visitors into donors.

Best for:

• UX research
• Information architecture
• Accessibility
• Large nonprofit website redesigns

Potential caution:

• Confirm they will own the CRM/integration layer, not just the front-end experience.

3. Best nonprofit + data integration specialist: Clarity Partners

If your project is more “our systems are a mess” than “our website looks old,” I would talk to Clarity. They have documented nonprofit work involving Salesforce, donor portals, integrations, and data migrations. Clarity Partners

Best for:

• Salesforce environments
• Legacy database cleanup
• Integrations between fundraising systems and websites
• Complex workflows

4. Best mission-driven web studio: LimeRed Studio, Inc.

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

Good fit for a nonprofit that needs:

• Better storytelling
• UX improvements
• WordPress/CMS work
• CRM, forms, newsletter, and payment integrations

They explicitly position around purpose-driven organizations and digital accessibility.

5. Best if fundraising performance is the priority: Beth Interactive

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17733324022)

A strong candidate if your main goal is:

• Increasing online giving
• Improving donor communications
• Connecting digital campaigns with fundraising operations

They focus specifically on digital philanthropy and donor engagement.

My recommendation by scenario

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I would probably run an RFP with Maven Digital, Sandstorm Design, and Clarity Partners as finalists. I would require each bidder to provide:

1. a current-state audit of your donor tech stack,
2. a proposed CRM/web integration architecture,
3. UX research plan,
4. accessibility approach,
5. examples of nonprofit launches they personally delivered.

That will separate agencies that can make a nice website from agencies that can actually improve fundraising operations.

• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, 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
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Meyer Partners - 8745 W Higgins Rd Suite 110, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Hero Digital - 1 N Dearborn St Ste 725, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

For a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a typical web design shop. You want a partner that understands fundraising workflows, CRM/data architecture, accessibility, and donor journeys.

My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Maven Digital

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-417-9420)

Why I’d put them first: They appear best aligned with a nonprofit that needs strategic digital transformation rather than just a redesigned website. Their work includes nonprofit and foundation clients and digital strategy/product work.

Good fit if you need:

• CRM/donor system planning
• Website UX redesign
• Stakeholder workshops
• Better digital processes across fundraising, programs, and communications

Watch-out: They may be more strategy/product oriented than a pure fundraising implementation vendor, so confirm their hands-on CRM integration depth.

2. Best if Salesforce or complex donor data is central: Heller Consulting

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+12242417489)

If your donor database is Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, or another enterprise CRM, this is the one I would interview first. Heller specializes in nonprofit technology consulting, CRM strategy, migrations, and data work.

Good fit if you need:

• CRM migration or cleanup
• Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud / NPSP expertise
• Integration architecture
• Governance and staff adoption

Pairing suggestion: Heller for the donor ecosystem + a UX-focused agency for the public website if needed.

3. Best UX/web experience specialist: Sandstorm Design

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

Sandstorm is a strong candidate if your main pain point is that the website is confusing, outdated, inaccessible, or not converting visitors into supporters. They focus on digital experience, UX, and purpose-driven organizations.

Good fit if you need:

• Donor journey redesign
• UX research
• Accessibility improvements
• Website strategy and redesign

4. Best nonprofit fundraising/donor engagement specialist: Beth Interactive

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17733324022)

They are more fundraising- and donor-engagement oriented than a traditional UX agency. Their services include digital philanthropy, donor journeys, and analytics-driven engagement.

Good fit if your goal is:

• Increase online giving
• Improve email/donor journeys
• Optimize appeals and stewardship

My recommendation by scenario

For a mid-sized nonprofit doing a combined donor database integration + UX overhaul, I would invite Maven Digital, Heller Consulting, and Sandstorm Design to pitch. I’d likely choose Maven as the prime partner if you want one strategic lead, or Heller + Sandstorm as a paired team if your CRM complexity is high.

Before signing, ask each finalist:

1. “Show us a nonprofit CRM integration you personally implemented.”
2. “Who owns the data migration plan?”
3. “How will you measure improved donor conversion after launch?”
4. “What happens 90 days after the website goes live?”

Those answers will separate true nonprofit digital partners from agencies that mainly build attractive websites.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Hero Digital - 1 N Dearborn St Ste 725, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

For a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a typical “web design shop.” You need a partner that understands fundraising workflows, CRM/data architecture, accessibility, and supporter journeys.

My shortlist:

1. Heller Consulting — best overall for donor systems + CRM strategy

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+12242417489)

Best fit if: your biggest challenge is Salesforce, Blackbaud, CRM migration, integrations, reporting, or getting your data architecture right.

Heller is a strong choice for a nonprofit that needs the technology foundation fixed before (or alongside) a website redesign. Their Chicago office is in the Loop, and they specialize in nonprofit technology consulting, CRM implementations, and data migration work.

I’d hire them if you have:

• Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud / NPSP
• messy donor records
• multiple systems that don’t sync
• a development team frustrated by reporting limitations

Potential downside: they are more technology/strategy-oriented than a pure UX studio, so you may pair them with a design partner.

2. Sandstorm Design — best UX-focused nonprofit website partner

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

Best fit if: your website is the main problem: confusing navigation, weak donation flows, poor accessibility, outdated design.

Sandstorm is a Chicago digital experience and UX agency with a strong focus on purpose-driven organizations. Their work emphasizes research, UX strategy, and accessible digital experiences.

I’d hire them if you need:

• donor journey redesign
• website information architecture
• accessibility improvements
• better storytelling and conversion paths

Potential downside: confirm their depth on your specific CRM integration before signing.

3. Maven Digital — best mission-driven digital transformation partner

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-417-9420)

Best fit if: you want a strategic partner, not just a website vendor.

Maven Digital has worked with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations and focuses on human-centered digital initiatives.

Good match for organizations that need:

• stakeholder discovery
• digital strategy
• platform decisions
• complex nonprofit audiences

4. Clique Studios — best for a larger website rebuild with UX + engineering

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13123799329)

Best fit if: you need a substantial redesign, custom functionality, integrations, and ongoing optimization.

Clique’s Chicago team works across digital strategy, UX/UI, design, and engineering.

Good for:

• Drupal/WordPress/custom builds
• complex content structures
• integrations with internal systems

5. Beth Interactive — best donor-experience specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17733324022)

Best fit if: your priority is increasing online giving and improving donor engagement.

Beth Interactive is a Chicago-based digital philanthropy agency focused on nonprofit donor engagement, digital fundraising, and analytics.

Good for:

• donation conversion optimization
• email journeys
• fundraising campaigns
• donor experience audits

My recommendation for a typical mid-sized nonprofit

If I were running the RFP, I’d invite these three:

1. Heller Consulting — to solve the donor data/CRM architecture
2. Sandstorm Design — to redesign the UX and website experience
3. Maven Digital — to provide an integrated strategy option

If you want one firm only, I’d start with Heller Consulting if the database is the pain point, or Sandstorm Design if the website/donor experience is the pain point.

Before hiring, I’d ask each finalist:

• “Show us a nonprofit where you integrated the website with our exact CRM.”
• “Who owns the data migration plan?”
• “How do you test donor conversion improvements?”
• “What happens after launch when staff need changes?”
• “Can you provide a solution architect and UX lead—not just developers?”

If you tell me your CRM (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge, Neon, etc.), website platform (WordPress/Drupal/etc.), and approximate budget, I can narrow this to a top 1–2 choices.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• 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
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

If the brief is “mid-sized nonprofit + donor database integration + serious website UX,” I’d put Heller Consulting at the top of the list—but with one caveat: I’d pair them with a UX/web specialist if the website redesign is substantial.

My shortlist

1. Heller Consulting — best for the donor-data/CRM side

Heller is my first call if your donor database is the complicated part of the project. They work exclusively with mission-driven organizations and have deep experience with CRM implementation, migration, Salesforce, data integration, training, and organizational change. Their Chicago office is in the Loop. Heller Consulting

Their work with the Chicago Community Trust is particularly relevant: they handled Salesforce-related modernization, integration architecture, donor portals, data migration, and UX improvements. Clarity Partners

2. Sandstorm Design — best if UX is equally important

If what you really need is a better digital experience that happens to be connected to your donor systems, I'd strongly consider Sandstorm. They're Chicago-based and specialize in research-driven UX/digital experiences for purpose-driven organizations, including nonprofits and associations. They're particularly attractive if accessibility, governance, user research, and stakeholder-heavy decision-making matter.

3. Maven Digital — best integrated/strategic option

Maven is another Chicago option I'd interview. They position themselves around human-centered digital strategy and have worked with organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Chicago Community Trust, Oxfam, Shedd Aquarium, and the University of Chicago. That's a good signal for a mid-sized nonprofit dealing with multiple stakeholders and legacy technology.

4. Thirdwave — best technical web/integration candidate

Thirdwave is downtown at 15 W Hubbard and has experience with complex web platforms and integrations, including work for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I'd consider them if the project leans more toward building the actual technical platform than nonprofit CRM strategy.

5. Beth Interactive Inc. — best donor-engagement specialist

Beth Interactive is particularly compelling if the goal isn't merely “connect the database,” but use the database to improve fundraising. They're a Chicago agency focused specifically on digital philanthropy, donor engagement, analytics, annual/mid-level giving, and nonprofit communications. Beth Interactive

Who I'd hire

If you want one firm to start with: Heller Consulting.

But I'd structure the procurement around two capabilities, rather than assuming one agency will be exceptional at both:

• CRM/data architecture: Heller
• UX/research/web experience: Sandstorm

That combination is probably stronger than hiring a conventional web agency and asking them to figure out your donor-data architecture afterward.

If you want one integrated agency, I'd interview Maven Digital alongside Heller and Sandstorm and see who gives you the strongest proposed architecture.

What I'd ask them in the first meeting

Don't just ask, “Can you integrate our donor database?” Ask them to walk through:

• Your current CRM/database and its API/integration capabilities
• Donation forms → CRM → email → accounting → reporting data flow
• Duplicate/dirty donor records and data governance
• What happens when a donor updates their information
• Website personalization and donor journeys
• Donation UX and conversion measurement
• Accessibility/WCAG compliance
• Who owns the integrations after launch
• Documentation and staff training
• Fixed implementation cost vs. ongoing retainer

One important distinction: if you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, Blackbaud, EveryAction, etc.) and roughly your annual budget for the project, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to bid.

Don't just ask, “Can you integrate our donor database?” Ask them to walk through:

• Your current CRM/database and its API/integration capabilities
• Donation forms → CRM → email → accounting → reporting data flow
• Duplicate/dirty donor records and data governance
• What happens when a donor updates their information
• Website personalization and donor journeys
• Donation UX and conversion measurement
• Accessibility/WCAG compliance
• Who owns the integrations after launch
• Documentation and staff training
• Fixed implementation cost vs. ongoing retainer

One important distinction: if you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, Blackbaud, EveryAction, etc.) and roughly your annual budget for the project, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to bid.

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• LaunchPad Lab - 220 W Huron St, Ste 2001, Chicago, IL 60654
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Progressive Data Services - 2161 W Leland Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

For a mid-sized nonprofit that needs both donor-data integration and a genuinely strong website UX, I’d put Heller Consulting + a UX/web partner on the shortlist—but if you want one agency to own the whole engagement, my first call would be LimeRed Studio, Inc..

My shortlist

1. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best overall fit

• Chicago-based and experienced with purpose-driven organizations.
• Combines UX/UI, information architecture, web development, accessibility, SEO, analytics, and CRM/form/payment integrations.
• This is the combination I'd want for a nonprofit where the website and donor database need to function as one supporter journey.
• Verdict: Hire/shortlist first.
• Heller Consulting — best if the donor database is the hard part

• Their Chicago office is in the Loop.
• Particularly strong in nonprofit CRM strategy, Salesforce/NPSP migrations, data mapping, implementation, and organizational adoption.
• If you're dealing with a messy legacy database, Salesforce migration, or complicated integrations, I'd take them very seriously.
• Verdict: potentially the best technical/data partner, but I'd verify that they can own the UX/web work you want rather than assuming it.
• Clique Studios — best for a larger, sophisticated digital transformation

• Downtown at 20 N. Wacker.
• Strong in UX/UI, usability research, accessibility, digital strategy, web development and platform work.
• I'd consider them if your website is becoming a major digital platform rather than simply a marketing site.
• Verdict: excellent capability, potentially more agency than a mid-sized nonprofit needs.
• GoodFolk — best boutique UX option

• Downtown at 125 S. Clark.
• Particularly oriented toward mission-driven organizations, with digital strategy, user-centered UX and digital-product work.
• Verdict: worth interviewing if UX and storytelling are weighted more heavily than complex CRM implementation.
• Beth Interactive — best donor-engagement specialist

• Chicago-based and specifically focused on digital philanthropy, donor engagement, fundraising strategy and analytics. Beth Interactive
• I'd look at them if the primary objective is increasing digital giving and improving donor journeys rather than a broad website transformation.
• Verdict: very strong nonprofit fundraising expertise, but I'd probe the depth of their database/integration and full website-development capabilities.

Who I'd hire

I'd invite LimeRed, Heller, and Beth Interactive to pitch.

But I'd make the RFP very explicit: "We need one integrated donor journey, not a prettier website plus a separately configured CRM."

Ask each firm to demonstrate, using your actual systems:

• How a website donation becomes a clean donor record.
• How recurring gifts, event registrations, newsletter signups and offline gifts are handled.
• What happens when the same donor exists in multiple systems.
• Which system is the source of truth.
• How they would redesign the donation UX based on user research.
• How staff will maintain the integration after launch.
• What they recommend for accessibility and analytics.
• Exactly which integrations they build themselves versus subcontract.

That's especially important because donor-data quality can become a major operational issue; Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, for example, emphasizes the importance of a reliable CRM and clean, centralized donor information as part of its fundraising operation. Blackbaud

If you give me your current donor database/CRM (e.g. Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, EveryAction), CMS, approximate annual budget, and whether you're looking for a redesign or a ground-up rebuild, I can narrow this to the single agency I'd choose and give you a suggested RFP/scorecard.

• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• LaunchPad Lab - 220 W Huron St, Ste 2001, Chicago, IL 60654
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, 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
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

If you want one Chicago agency to hire for both donor-data integration and a substantially better website UX, I’d put Clique Studios at the top of the shortlist—but there’s an important distinction depending on how complex your donor database is.

My shortlist

1. Clique Studios — best overall fit

• Downtown Chicago, at 20 N Wacker.
• Strongest combination of UX/UI, website strategy, development, accessibility, and digital transformation.
• I’d favor them if the website is the visible priority and you need the donor/CRM integration engineered as part of a broader digital rebuild.
• The caveat: they aren't as nonprofit/CRM-specialized as a firm like Heller.
• Heller Consulting — best for complicated donor data

• Downtown/Loop, 53 W Jackson.
• This is the one I'd choose if your project is primarily Raiser’s Edge/Salesforce/other CRM migration, data architecture, integrations, and nonprofit technology strategy. Heller has deep nonprofit CRM and Salesforce migration expertise. JCA
• I'd potentially pair Heller with a UX/web agency rather than ask Heller to own a major website redesign.
• LaunchPad Lab — best if you need serious custom technology

• River North, 220 W Huron.
• Good fit if "website" really means a custom digital platform/portal, with UX, engineering, integrations, and potentially Salesforce involved.
• Probably more technical horsepower than a typical mid-sized nonprofit website requires.
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best nonprofit/mission-driven UX alternative

• Chicago-based and strongly focused on purpose-driven organizations.
• Their capabilities explicitly include UX/UI, accessibility, WordPress, analytics, and CRM/form/payment integrations.
• I'd consider them seriously if the donor experience and storytelling/UX are more important than a highly complex back-end integration.

Who I'd hire

I'd interview Clique Studios and Heller Consulting first.

If you want one prime contractor, I'd ask Clique to propose the entire engagement, but make the donor-data architecture a non-negotiable part of their proposal.

If your existing donor database is messy—multiple systems, duplicate constituents, complicated gift history, Salesforce/Raiser’s Edge integration, accounting synchronization, etc.—I'd instead make Heller the technology lead and bring in a specialized UX/web partner.

There's also a particularly interesting Chicago option if you don't require the agency to be downtown: Sandstorm Design. They're a Chicago UX/digital-experience firm with a long history and a focus on purpose-driven organizations, including nonprofits.

One thing I'd insist on in the RFP

Don't ask agencies simply for a "website redesign + CRM integration." Ask them to map the entire donor journey and data flow:

website → donation form → payment processor → donor CRM → acknowledgement/email → reporting/accounting

That prevents the common nonprofit problem where the new website looks fantastic but development staff still have to manually reconcile donor records.

For a mid-sized nonprofit, my ranking would be:

Clique Studios → Heller Consulting → LimeRed → LaunchPad Lab

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you currently use (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, etc.), your approximate website budget, and whether you're replacing the website or just improving UX, I can narrow this to the one I'd actually hire and give you a recommended RFP shortlist.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Hero Digital - 1 N Dearborn St Ste 725, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States

If you want one firm to own both donor-system integration and the website/UX, I’d put Heller Consulting at the top of the shortlist.

My shortlist

1. Heller Consulting — best overall for the integration-heavy project

• Downtown/Loop office at 53 W Jackson Blvd.
• Exclusively focused on nonprofits, education, and mission-driven organizations.
• Particularly strong in CRM strategy, Salesforce nonprofit implementations, data migration, integrations, training, and organizational adoption. Heller cites a Loyola University Chicago engagement involving Salesforce/Kindsight implementation, migration, configuration, and donor/event portals. Heller Consulting
• Hire them if: the donor database is the hard part and the website needs to be designed around a clean underlying data architecture.
• Dialogue Theory — best for UX/design

• Chicago-based digital design/development studio working with nonprofits and other mission-driven organizations.
• Stronger emphasis on UX/UI, digital strategy, research, and building sophisticated web experiences.
• Hire them if: the website experience is the primary strategic problem and the database integration is relatively straightforward.
• Clique Studios — best if you want a larger digital-product shop

• Downtown at 20 N Wacker.
• Offers UX/UI, usability testing, accessibility, web development, CMS integration, and substantial digital transformation work.
• Hire them if: you're contemplating a fairly substantial website/platform rebuild and have the budget to support a larger agency.
• Beth Interactive Inc. — best donor/fundraising specialist

• Chicago-based and specifically focused on nonprofit philanthropy, digital donor engagement, communications, and analytics. Beth Interactive
• Hire them if: increasing digital giving and improving the donor journey matter more than building a sophisticated general-purpose website.

Who I'd hire

I'd interview Heller and Dialogue Theory together, but make Heller the leading candidate.

For a mid-sized nonprofit, the danger is hiring a beautiful web agency that treats the donor database as an afterthought. Your project should instead start with a map of:

website → donation forms → CRM/donor database → email/marketing → accounting → reporting

Heller's nonprofit technology specialization makes them the safer choice when that architecture is central. Then I'd require the proposal to include UX research and donor-facing experience design, not merely CRM implementation.

If your existing database is something like Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, or EveryAction, tell me which one you use and roughly what your website runs on (WordPress, Drupal, etc.). I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually put in the RFP and give you a suggested project budget. Heller Consulting

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 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
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Meyer Partners - 8745 W Higgins Rd Suite 110, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Hero Digital - 1 N Dearborn St Ste 725, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

For a mid-sized nonprofit needing both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a generic web design shop. You want a partner that understands CRM architecture, fundraising workflows, accessibility, donor journeys, and content governance.

My shortlist in Chicago:

1. Heller Consulting — best if CRM integration is the hard part

Heller Consulting

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+12242417489)

Best fit: Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud/NPSP, CRM migrations, data cleanup, integrations, and nonprofit technology strategy.

Why I’d consider them:

• Deep nonprofit systems specialization rather than just website work.
• Strong fit if you are moving from Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Blackbaud, spreadsheets, or a disconnected stack into a modern CRM environment.
• Their Chicago office is downtown/Loop-based.

Potential downside:

• You may still need a separate UX/web design partner if the website experience is a major redesign.

2. Maven Digital — best overall “strategic digital partner”

Maven Digital

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-417-9420)

Best fit: A nonprofit that needs website UX, digital strategy, and technology decisions tied together.

Why I’d shortlist them:

• Chicago-based and mission-oriented.
• Experience with large nonprofits and foundations.
• More likely than a traditional agency to think about user journeys, internal workflows, and long-term maintainability.

3. Sandstorm Design — best for UX-heavy website redesign

Sandstorm Design

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

Best fit: Your website is confusing donors, volunteers, members, or program users and you need research-driven UX.

Strengths:

• Strong UX/design reputation.
• Good match for nonprofits, associations, healthcare, and mission-driven organizations.
• Can handle accessibility, content structure, and digital experience work.

Potential downside:

• I would confirm their depth on your specific donor CRM integration before selecting them as the sole vendor.

4. Beth Interactive — best if fundraising performance is the priority

Beth Interactive Inc.

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-675-1185)

Best fit: Organizations focused on increasing online giving, donor engagement, campaigns, and stewardship.

They specialize in digital philanthropy, donor engagement, analytics, and nonprofit communications. Beth Interactive

Potential downside:

• More fundraising/donor engagement oriented than a full enterprise UX + CRM implementation firm.

5. GoodFolk — best boutique website partner

GoodFolk

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 844-464-3655)

Best fit: A content-heavy nonprofit needing a thoughtful website rebuild with UX strategy.

Good choice if:

• Your CRM is already stable.
• The main issue is donor conversion, storytelling, navigation, and content.

Who I would hire

For a mid-sized nonprofit, my ranking would be:

1. Maven Digital — if you want one partner to help define the digital ecosystem.
2. Heller Consulting + a UX/web partner — if donor database integration is mission-critical.
3. Sandstorm Design — if the website experience is the biggest problem.
4. Beth Interactive — if fundraising growth is the main KPI.

Before signing anyone, I’d ask each finalist:

• “Show us two nonprofit CRM integrations you personally implemented.”
• “Who owns the data model and migration plan?”
• “How will you improve donor conversion rates, not just redesign pages?”
• “How do you handle Salesforce/Bloomerang/Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud integrations?”
• “What happens after launch?”

If you tell me your current donor system (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Blackbaud, Neon, etc.), website platform (WordPress, Drupal, Webflow, custom), and approximate budget, I can narrow this to a single recommendation.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Staub Anderson LLC - 55 W Monroe St #1925, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• Promet Source - 3322 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640

If the requirement is both donor/CRM integration and strong website UX, I’d put Orbit Media Studios at the top of the shortlist.

My recommendation: Orbit Media Studios

Orbit Media Studios is Chicago-based and has a particularly strong nonprofit track record. They explicitly handle UX/UI, web development, accessibility, analytics, donations, and integrations, rather than treating the website as purely a branding exercise. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

What makes them compelling for a mid-sized nonprofit:

• Nonprofit experience: They have worked with organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, Gift of Hope, and Off The Street Club. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios
• UX tied to fundraising: Their Gift of Hope project specifically focused on clearer user paths, registrations and donations; their Off The Street Club redesign reported a 15% increase in the donation key-event rate. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios
• Integration capability: They describe custom integrations, online donations, nonprofit marketing/volunteer tools, and web development as part of their core offering. Orbit Media Studios
• Good fit for a mid-sized team: They provide project management, strategy, design, development and ongoing optimization in-house, so you aren't necessarily coordinating several vendors. Orbit Media Studios

One caveat: if by "donor database integration" you mean a substantial CRM migration/data architecture project—particularly Salesforce, Blackbaud, or another advancement database—I would not automatically make Orbit the sole vendor. I'd have them demonstrate a comparable CRM integration in the proposal.

Two other Chicago firms I'd interview

• Heller Consulting — This is the one I'd bring in if the donor database/CRM side is the harder problem. They're in the Loop at 53 W Jackson Blvd and have deep nonprofit CRM, Salesforce, data migration and implementation experience. Their strength is more nonprofit technology/CRM consulting than beautiful UX.
• Mightybytes, Inc. — A strong alternative if you care heavily about accessibility, responsible data practices and mission-driven digital strategy. They have worked with Chicago Community Trust on website UX, data retrieval and digital strategy. Mightybytes Mightybytes

Who I'd hire

Orbit, assuming they can show you a credible example of integrating your specific donor CRM.

I'd actually run a 3-agency mini-RFP with Orbit, Heller, and Mightybytes and make them all respond to the exact same scenario:

"Redesign our donor-facing website, improve donor UX and conversion, and integrate the site with our existing donor database so constituent, donation, event and email data flow reliably between systems."

Ask each agency to show the architecture/data flow, not just screenshots of websites. That's the fastest way to distinguish an excellent nonprofit web agency from one that can genuinely own the integration.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (e.g. Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, DonorPerfect) and roughly your website budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 and tell you who I'd choose.

• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• One Design Company - 230 W Superior St #700, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Marcel Digital - 445 W Erie St #200, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

If the priority is one agency that can own both donor/CRM integration and a genuinely strong nonprofit UX, my first call would be Mightybytes—with Orbit Media as the strongest alternative.

My shortlist

1. Mightybytes, Inc. — best overall fit

• Chicago-based and explicitly focused on mission-driven organizations.
• Strong experience in UX, web development, accessibility, data/technology strategy, and integrations.
• Their work with Chicago Community Trust is particularly relevant: it involved redesigning experiences for nonprofits, donors and residents, including UX, content, WordPress development and data migration. Mightybytes
• They also emphasize documentation and training, which matters for a mid-sized nonprofit that doesn't want to become permanently dependent on an agency. Mightybytes
• Verdict: I'd invite them to pitch first.
• Orbit Media Studios — best if fundraising/conversion is the main objective

• Very strong nonprofit portfolio, including Goodman Theatre, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Off The Street Club. Orbit Media
• Explicitly handles UX, CRM/API integrations, forms, online donations, accessibility and conversion optimization. Orbit Media Orbit Media
• Their Off The Street Club project reportedly produced a 15% increase in donations, which is unusually relevant evidence for your use case. Orbit Media
• They're in Chicago, though not downtown—their office is in Ravenswood. Orbit Media
• Verdict: probably the strongest competitor to Mightybytes.
• Clique Studios — best downtown option for a larger/complex digital transformation

• Their Chicago office is at 20 N. Wacker Drive, right in the Loop.
• Stronger fit if this is more than a website redesign—e.g., you're rebuilding the digital ecosystem, doing substantial UX research, or integrating multiple back-end systems.
• I'd put them on the RFP list, but I'd want them to demonstrate specific nonprofit donor-CRM integrations, rather than assuming their general digital-transformation expertise translates directly.

Who I'd hire

I'd start with Mightybytes. The combination of nonprofit experience, UX, technology/integration work, accessibility and organizational enablement is unusually close to what you're describing. Their Chicago Community Trust work is the strongest signal I found. Mightybytes

I'd then put Orbit Media into the same competitive process. If your board/leadership's primary KPI is online giving and supporter conversion, Orbit could actually win—their nonprofit specialization and documented donation results are compelling. Orbit Media Orbit Media

One caveat: "donor database integration" can mean very different things. Before selecting anyone, I'd make them demonstrate the exact integration with your CRM/database—e.g. Salesforce/NPSP, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Neon One, EveryAction/Bonterra, etc.—rather than accepting a generic claim that they "do integrations."

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use and roughly what your website budget is (e.g. $50–100K, $100–250K), I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually put on the RFP and tell you what I'd ask each one.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• LaunchPad Lab - 220 W Huron St, Ste 2001, Chicago, IL 60654
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Progressive Data Services - 2161 W Leland Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• LIMIT8 | Nonprofit Web Design Experts - 350 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10025, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640

If I were hiring for a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor-data integration and serious website UX, I’d put Heller Consulting at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Heller Consulting — best overall fit

• Downtown/Loop: 53 W Jackson Blvd.
• Their core specialty is nonprofit technology rather than generic marketing.
• Particularly strong for CRM implementation, data migration/integration, Salesforce, fundraising systems, and organizational adoption. Their work with Loyola included Salesforce implementation, data migration, custom donor portals, and training. Heller Consulting
• Why I'd hire them: If the donor database is the harder/riskiest part of the project, this is the safest choice.
• Clique Studios — best if UX/web experience is equally important

• Downtown: 20 N Wacker Dr.
• Strong combination of UX research, information architecture, content strategy, website development, integrations, accessibility, and QA.
• They look better suited than a pure CRM consultancy if you're envisioning a substantial website redesign alongside the integration.
• Why I'd hire them: Best candidate if the project is fundamentally a digital experience transformation, not merely a database implementation.
• Dialogue Theory — best boutique option

• Chicago-based, with a strong mission-driven/nonprofit orientation.
• Particularly compelling for UX/UI, digital strategy, and custom web development.
• I'd consider them if you want a smaller, high-touch team rather than a larger consulting operation.

The wildcard: Clarity

Clarity Partners deserves a serious look if your database architecture is complicated. They worked with Chicago Community Trust on Salesforce, donor portals, data migration, and near-real-time integration between Salesforce and finance systems, including migration of 350,000+ grants and gifts. Clarity Partners

That's unusually relevant evidence for a Chicago nonprofit. I'd shortlist them if you're dealing with multiple systems that have to stay synchronized.

Who I'd actually call

My ranking for your described project:

If you want one firm to own the whole thing, I'd interview Heller and Clique first. Heller has the stronger nonprofit/fundraising systems pedigree; Clique has the stronger case for making the website experience itself excellent.

One important caveat: I wouldn't choose based on "website portfolio" alone. Ask each firm to show you one nonprofit project where the website, donation experience, CRM/donor database, and downstream reporting were actually integrated. That's the distinction between a pretty redesign and the kind of project you're describing.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you currently use (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Neon One, EveryAction, etc.) and roughly what your website runs on, I can narrow this to the one I'd hire and what I think you should budget.

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Maven Digital - 23 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, 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
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Meyer Partners - 8745 W Higgins Rd Suite 110, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Third Coast Creative | 3CC - 235 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Hero Digital - 1 N Dearborn St Ste 725, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602

For a mid-sized nonprofit that needs both donor-database integration and a substantially better website UX, I’d put Heller Consulting at the top of the list—but there’s an important distinction.

My shortlist

1. Heller Consulting — best for the donor/CRM side

• Downtown Loop office at 53 W Jackson Blvd.
• Particularly strong if your donor database is Salesforce/NPSP or you need a serious CRM migration/integration.
• Their documented Chicago Community Trust work included Salesforce, donor portals, data migration, Boomi integrations, and improved donor-portal UX. Clarity Partners
• My pick if the database integration is the hardest part of the project.
• Clique Studios — best overall agency fit

• Downtown at 20 N Wacker Dr.
• Combines UX research, information architecture, design, engineering, integrations, and accessibility rather than treating the website as simply a marketing redesign.
• This is probably the agency I'd interview first if you want one partner accountable for the whole digital experience.
• GoodFolk — best boutique UX option

• Downtown at 125 S Clark St.
• Particularly appealing if the priority is a thoughtful, content-heavy nonprofit site and excellent user experience.
• I'd want them to demonstrate specific experience integrating your particular donor CRM before hiring them.
• Maven Digital — strong nonprofit specialist

• Chicago-based, with clients including Chicago Community Trust, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Oxfam, National Audubon Society, and others.
• Their positioning is explicitly digital/product work for mission-driven organizations, which makes them worth an interview for a mid-sized nonprofit.

Who I'd hire

I'd start with Clique Studios and Heller Consulting as the two finalists.

The reason is that your project actually contains two different disciplines:

Donor database architecture/integration + public-facing UX/web experience

A beautiful agency can easily underestimate the CRM/data portion. Conversely, a CRM consultancy can deliver a technically sound integration while giving you a mediocre donor experience.

Clique looks like the stronger single-agency choice because it combines UX, strategy, engineering, integrations and accessibility. Heller is the safer choice if the donor database/CRM is the mission-critical component—particularly Salesforce. Heller's documented work on the Chicago Community Trust is unusually close to what you're describing. Clarity Partners

I'd also get a proposal from Sandstorm Design if UX research is especially important; its Chicago practice emphasizes usability testing, journey mapping, UX strategy and inclusive design.

One other Chicago firm worth knowing is Orbit Media Studios. Its nonprofit practice has documented UX/integration work and a case study with Off The Street Club that produced a 15% increase in the donation key-event rate. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

What I'd put in the RFP

Don't ask agencies simply for a "website redesign." I'd require them to show how they would handle:

• Current-state audit of your donor CRM and website
• Donor journey/user research
• Information architecture and UX testing
• CRM ↔ website ↔ donation platform data flows
• Deduplication and data governance
• Donation, event, newsletter and form integrations
• Accessibility/WCAG compliance
• Analytics and conversion tracking
• Staff/admin usability of the CMS
• Data migration and testing plan
• Post-launch optimization and support

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you're using (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Blackbaud, Neon, etc.) and roughly what your budget is, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to the RFP.

Donor database architecture/integration + public-facing UX/web experience

A beautiful agency can easily underestimate the CRM/data portion. Conversely, a CRM consultancy can deliver a technically sound integration while giving you a mediocre donor experience.

Clique looks like the stronger single-agency choice because it combines UX, strategy, engineering, integrations and accessibility. Heller is the safer choice if the donor database/CRM is the mission-critical component—particularly Salesforce. Heller's documented work on the Chicago Community Trust is unusually close to what you're describing. Clarity Partners

I'd also get a proposal from Sandstorm Design if UX research is especially important; its Chicago practice emphasizes usability testing, journey mapping, UX strategy and inclusive design.

One other Chicago firm worth knowing is Orbit Media Studios. Its nonprofit practice has documented UX/integration work and a case study with Off The Street Club that produced a 15% increase in the donation key-event rate. orbitmedia.com orbitmedia.com

What I'd put in the RFP

Don't ask agencies simply for a "website redesign." I'd require them to show how they would handle:

• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Progressive Data Services - 2161 W Leland Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States

For a mid-sized nonprofit in Chicago that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a pure web design shop. You want an agency that understands CRM architecture, fundraising workflows, data migration, accessibility, and donor journeys.

My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Heller Consulting

Heller Consulting

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+12242417489)

Why I’d put them first: They are one of the stronger matches if your project involves connecting a website experience with a real donor ecosystem (Salesforce, CRM migration, data governance, integrations). Their Chicago presence is in the Loop, and they specialize in nonprofit technology strategy rather than just design.

Best for:

• Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) environments
• CRM cleanup/migration
• donor data architecture
• integrations between fundraising platforms, websites, email, and reporting
• organizations with complex stakeholder needs

Potential downside:

• They may be more “technology transformation” than “beautiful website redesign.” You may still want a UX/design partner involved.

My recommendation: Hire Heller if your donor database is messy, aging, fragmented, or strategically important.

2. Best UX + nonprofit website partner: Sandstorm Design

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

Sandstorm is a Chicago digital agency with a strong UX orientation and experience with mission-driven organizations. Their work emphasizes research, usability, journey mapping, accessibility, and larger website modernization projects.

Best for:

• website redesigns
• donor conversion optimization
• UX research
• content architecture
• accessibility improvements
• CMS strategy

Potential downside:

• I would confirm their depth on your exact donor CRM integration before making them the sole vendor.

My recommendation: Great choice if your biggest pain is “our website does not help donors engage or give.”

3. Best downtown Chicago “single agency” option: Clique Studios

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13123799329)

Clique Studios is in the Loop and combines strategy, UX, engineering, and digital product work. Their profile suggests they can handle more technically complex builds, including integrations.

Best for:

• custom website builds
• integrations/API work
• modern UX
• organizations that need a technology partner, not just a marketing vendor

Potential downside:

• Make sure nonprofit fundraising experience is part of the team assigned to you.

4. Strong mission-driven digital specialist: Mightybytes

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735617529)

Mightybytes is a Chicago digital agency focused on purpose-driven organizations, with strengths in accessibility, sustainable web practices, UX, and digital strategy.

Best for:

• nonprofits prioritizing accessibility
• mission storytelling
• UX improvement
• long-term digital strategy

Who I would hire depending on your situation

If I were running a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit ($5M–$50M budget) and needed a serious donor database + website overhaul, I would likely run a short RFP with:

1. Heller Consulting — CRM/integration lead
2. Sandstorm Design — UX/web lead
3. Clique Studios — integrated digital build option

I would ask each finalist the same questions:

• “Show us a nonprofit where you integrated a website with a donor CRM.”
• “Who owns the data migration?”
• “How do you handle duplicate donor records and householding?”
• “How do you measure donor conversion improvements after launch?”
• “Who on your team understands fundraising operations?”

A lot of agencies can make a nicer website; fewer can make the website, CRM, and fundraising operations work as one system.

For a mid-sized nonprofit in Chicago that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a pure web design shop. You want a partner that understands fundraising workflows, CRM architecture, data migration, and donor journeys—because a beautiful site that does not sync cleanly with your CRM will create ongoing operational problems. www.philanthropy.com

My shortlist:

1. Heller Consulting — best if your donor database is complex (Salesforce, Blackbaud, legacy CRM)

Heller Consulting
Web
Address: 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: +12242417489
My top pick for a mid-sized nonprofit with serious integration needs.

Why:

• Deep nonprofit technology specialization
• Strong fit for CRM strategy, migrations, integrations, and organizational adoption
• Chicago Loop presence
• Better suited than a traditional creative agency if your biggest pain is “our systems don’t talk to each other”

Hire them if:

• You use Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud/NPSP, Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, or a messy legacy database
• You need governance, data cleanup, and integration planning before redesigning the site

2. Sandstorm Design — best balance of UX + nonprofit digital experience

Sandstorm Design
Web
Address: 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 773-348-4200
A strong choice if the website experience is the centerpiece.

Why:

• Chicago-based UX-focused digital agency
• Strong emphasis on research, usability, accessibility, and mission-driven organizations
• Better fit if you need donor journeys, content strategy, IA, and a modern website experience

Hire them if:

• Your website is outdated
• Your donation funnel is weak
• Your staff needs a manageable CMS after launch

3. Clique Studios — best if you need a sophisticated digital product, not just a website

Clique Studios
Web
Address: 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: +13123799329
Why:

• Downtown Chicago location
• Combines UX strategy, design, engineering, and integrations
• Good fit for organizations with more complex platforms, portals, or custom functionality

Hire them if:

• You need custom integrations, constituent portals, or a more ambitious digital transformation

4. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best mission-driven boutique option

LimeRed Studio, Inc.
Web
Address: 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 312-238-9070
Why:

• Chicago-based purpose-driven digital agency
• Experience with nonprofit websites, UX, accessibility, CRM/forms/payment integrations

Hire them if:

• You want a collaborative boutique partner rather than a larger consulting firm

Who I would hire in your situation

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I would run a short RFP with:

1. Heller Consulting — CRM/integration lead
2. Sandstorm Design — UX/site redesign lead
3. Clique Studios — if you have complex technical requirements

If you want one agency to own the whole thing, I’d lean Sandstorm Design for a donor-focused website transformation, or Heller Consulting if the database problems are the root issue.

Before selecting, ask every finalist:

• “Show us a nonprofit project where website behavior fed back into the donor CRM.”
• “Who owns the data model and integration architecture?”
• “How will you handle migration, deduplication, and historical gifts?”
• “What donor conversion metrics will you improve?”

Those questions will separate true nonprofit digital partners from general web agencies. www.philanthropy.com

For a mid-sized nonprofit in Chicago that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a pure branding/web shop. You want a partner that can connect the fundraising ecosystem (CRM, donation forms, email, analytics, CMS) and also redesign the donor journey.

My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Clarity Partners

Clarity Partners, LLC
Web
Address: 20 N Clark St #3600, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 920-0550
Why I’d put them first: They have strong enterprise integration experience and nonprofit/philanthropy experience, including work modernizing donor portals and integrating Salesforce-based donor systems. www.claritypartners.com

Best for:

• Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud / NPSP environments
• Complex donor data migration
• Integrations between CRM, website, finance, and marketing systems
• Larger mid-sized nonprofits with internal IT stakeholders

Ask them:

“Can you own the donor experience from website UX through CRM data architecture?”

2. Best UX + mission-driven digital experience: Sandstorm Design

Sandstorm Design
Web
Address: 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 773-348-4200
Why: Strong match if your biggest problem is that the website does not convert visitors into donors, volunteers, or advocates. They focus on UX-driven strategy, inclusive design, and mission-oriented organizations.

Best for:

• Website redesign
• UX research
• Accessibility
• Content strategy
• Connecting a new site to existing donor systems

3. Best nonprofit-specialist choice: Beth Interactive

Beth Interactive
Web
Address: 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: +17733324022
Why: They are specifically focused on philanthropy, donor engagement, and digital fundraising strategy rather than just websites.

Best for:

• Improving online giving
• Donor journeys
• Campaign optimization
• Analytics and stewardship strategy

4. Best if you need a full digital transformation: Clique Studios

Clique Studios
Web
Address: 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: +13123799329
They are a downtown Chicago digital studio with UX research, information architecture, design, engineering, and digital product capabilities.

Best for:

• A major website rebuild
• Custom integrations
• More complex digital platforms

5. Best nonprofit web + communications partner: Advocate Creative

Advocate Creative
Web
Address: 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
They focus on nonprofits and foundations and are a good fit when storytelling, brand, and website experience are equally important.

My recommendation by scenario

For a typical mid-sized nonprofit (roughly $2M–$50M budget, existing CRM, fundraising team, and a website due for overhaul), I would invite Clarity Partners, Sandstorm Design, and Beth Interactive into an RFP and ask each to propose the same discovery phase.

The key RFP requirement should be: “Show us three examples where you integrated a nonprofit website with a donor CRM and improved measurable donor actions (online giving, recurring gifts, email engagement, or stewardship workflows).” That will separate true digital partners from agencies that only build attractive websites.

For a mid-sized nonprofit in downtown Chicago needing both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a pure web design shop. You need a partner that understands fundraising workflows, CRM/data architecture, accessibility, and donor conversion UX.

My shortlist:

1. The Office of Experience, LLC — best overall for UX + complex digital transformation

The Office of Experience, LLC
Web
Address: 980 N Michigan Ave Ste 1090, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: +13122701242
Why I’d put them first: They are a strong fit if your biggest issue is that your website, donor journey, and internal systems feel disconnected. They specialize more in experience strategy than basic website production.

Best for:

• Donor journey mapping
• UX research and redesign
• Complex constituent experiences
• Organizations that need strategy before implementation

Ask them:

• “Who would own Salesforce/CRM integration?”
• “Can you provide nonprofit references with donation funnels?”

2. Orbit Media Studios — best nonprofit website partner

Orbit Media Studios
Web
Address: 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: +17733484581
Why consider them: They are a well-known Chicago web agency with strong UX/content strategy capabilities. They may be the strongest choice if your CRM is already selected (Salesforce NPSP, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Virtuous, HubSpot, etc.) and you mainly need a high-performing donor-facing site.

Best for:

• Website redesign
• Information architecture
• Accessibility
• Content strategy
• Integrations with existing systems

3. UX 4Sight — best if UX research is the priority

UX 4Sight
Web
Address: 111 W Jackson Blvd Unit 1700, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: +13122240095
They are located downtown and focus specifically on user experience work. I’d consider them if you already have developers or a CRM implementation partner but need donor/user research and a better digital experience.

Best for:

• Donor usability testing
• UX audits
• Journey mapping
• Interface redesign

4. Proceed Innovative — best if you need marketing + web + ongoing support

Proceed Innovative
Web
Address: 1501 Woodfield Rd Ste 112E, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: +18478791168
A broader digital agency option. Worth interviewing if you need campaigns, analytics, SEO, and site maintenance along with the rebuild.

My recommendation

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I would run a short RFP with these three:

1. The Office of Experience — if this is a strategic transformation
2. Orbit Media Studios — if the website/donor experience is the main pain point
3. UX 4Sight — if you already have technical resources and need UX excellence

I would also ask each agency to show:

• A nonprofit donor portal or donation flow they improved
• A CRM integration diagram (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, etc.)
• Their approach to migrating donor data safely
• How they measure success (conversion rate, recurring gifts, email signups, engagement)

A key warning: many agencies can build a beautiful nonprofit website, but fewer can handle the donor database → website → email marketing → analytics ecosystem. Make CRM integration a gating requirement, not a nice-to-have. For example, Chicago-based Clarity Partners has documented work involving Salesforce donor portals, integrations, migrations, and UX improvements for a major philanthropic organization, which illustrates the kind of systems experience to look for. www.claritypartners.com

If you tell me your current CRM (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.) and approximate budget ($25k, $75k, $150k+), I can narrow this to the best 1–2 hires.

If downtown Chicago is a hard requirement, I’d put Clique Studios at the top of the list.

My recommendation: Clique Studios

Clique is in the Loop at 20 N. Wacker Dr. and is unusually well aligned with the combination you described: nonprofit website UX + technical integration work. Their capabilities span UX research, information architecture, content strategy, web development, custom integrations, accessibility, and QA.

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I would favor them if your project is something like:

• Redesigning the website around donor/user journeys
• Connecting the website to an existing donor CRM/database
• Improving donation forms and constituent data flow
• Integrating CRM, email marketing, events, and website systems
• Cleaning up a fragmented digital ecosystem rather than simply making the site prettier

Why I'd choose them: you need one partner who can bridge UX/design and engineering, rather than hiring a traditional web-design agency and a separate CRM consultant.

Two others I'd interview

Caxy — best if the database integration is the harder problem. They're downtown at 212 W. Van Buren and have substantial custom-integration and engineering depth. They explicitly work with CRM integrations and existing databases, and they cite a Chicago Public Media donation platform that increased digital contributions 250%. www.caxy.com

Orbit Media Studios — best if UX, fundraising conversion, and nonprofit website performance are the bigger priorities. They're not downtown (Ravenswood), but their nonprofit portfolio is excellent. They have worked with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Goodman Theatre, and Off the Street Club, and specifically highlight donor journeys, UX, integrations, accessibility, and donation conversion. One Off the Street Club redesign reported a 15% increase in the donation key-event rate. www.orbitmedia.com

My ranking for your situation

If I were hiring: I'd invite Clique, Caxy, and Orbit to a paid discovery/RFP process, but I'd start with Clique.

One important caveat: before signing, give each agency your actual donor database/CRM name (e.g. Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, Neon One, Bloomerang, etc.). Integration expertise is very platform-specific. I'd make them demonstrate exactly how they would handle donor → website form → CRM → email/acknowledgment → reporting, including deduplication and failed-sync handling.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use and your approximate website/project budget, I can narrow this to the one I think you should actually hire and give you the questions to ask them.

If you want one downtown Chicago firm to interview first, I’d hire One North, A TEKsystems Company—with one caveat: I’d make donor-CRM integration a specific requirement in the RFP and ask them to bring a nonprofit CRM/data specialist onto the project.

My recommendation: One North

They’re in the Loop at 227 W. Monroe St. and have the combination you’re looking for: UX/experience strategy, website design and implementation, data/technology work, and ongoing optimization. Their UX practice explicitly covers research, journey mapping, testing, and website/product design, while their broader team handles implementation and technology infrastructure. www.onenorth.com

One North

Why I'd shortlist them:

• Strongest UX fit: They approach the website as a digital experience rather than simply a visual redesign.
• Can handle complex integrations: They have strategists, designers and technologists under one roof, so you aren't necessarily coordinating separate UX and development vendors. www.onenorth.com
• Actually downtown: 227 W. Monroe, right in the Loop. www.onenorth.com
• Appropriate for a mid-sized organization: They have the resources for a complicated integration but aren't limited to a giant enterprise implementation.
• Good if the website is supposed to improve fundraising: I'd specifically have them redesign the donor journey—from landing page → campaign/appeal → donation → confirmation → ongoing stewardship—not just the site's navigation.

The one firm I'd bring in as the CRM/data benchmark

Heller Consulting is actually the more compelling choice if donor database integration is the harder problem than UX. Their Chicago office is at 53 W. Jackson Blvd., and they're exclusively focused on nonprofits, education and healthcare. Their work includes CRM implementation, data migration, data governance, platform integration and Salesforce/Blackbaud/Microsoft/HubSpot. teamheller.com

Heller Consulting

So I'd think about it this way:

Who I'd actually put on the RFP

I'd invite One North, Heller Consulting, and one smaller nonprofit-focused agency to pitch. The important thing isn't just asking, "Can you integrate our CRM?" Make each bidder demonstrate:

1. How donor data flows website → donation system → CRM → email/marketing automation.
2. How they prevent duplicate donor records.
3. How they would handle your existing data migration/cleanup.
4. A proposed donor UX, including recurring giving and mobile donation.
5. Accessibility and analytics.
6. Who owns the integration after launch.
7. Two comparable nonprofit references.

Bottom line: If you're asking me to pick one based on the combination of downtown Chicago + strong UX + ability to tackle the technical side, I'd start with One North. If your donor database is currently a mess and the integration is mission-critical, I'd put Heller ahead of them.

For a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor-data integration and a better website UX, I’d shortlist three firms—but I’d hire Heller Consulting if the donor database/integration work is the harder problem, and Thirdwave if the website/UX is equally important.

My ranking

1. Heller Consulting — best overall for complex donor systems

They’re my first call if your project involves Salesforce/NPSP, donor-data migration, integrations, or cleaning up a messy fundraising tech stack. Heller works exclusively with nonprofits and has substantial Salesforce implementation and migration experience; their Chicago team is in the Loop. Their work with Loyola, for example, included Salesforce implementation, data migration, integrations, portals, and staff training. teamheller.com

Caveat: I wouldn't choose Heller alone if the centerpiece of the project is a highly polished public-facing website redesign. They're stronger on the technology/CRM side.

2. Thirdwave — best fit if website + integration are equally important

This is probably the most interesting match for your exact brief. They're at 15 W Hubbard in River North and have a concrete nonprofit example: Chicago Foundation for Women. Thirdwave handled information architecture and UX validation, rebuilt the site in WordPress, and integrated it with Blackbaud's donor platform. www.thirdwavellc.com

That combination—UX + CMS + actual donor-platform integration—is unusually relevant to what you're describing.

3. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best UX/design-oriented alternative

LimeRed is a Chicago purpose-driven design agency with nonprofit experience. Their capabilities include information architecture, UX/UI, accessibility, WordPress, analytics, CRM/form/payment integrations, and related digital strategy.

I'd put them ahead of Thirdwave if your primary problem is "our website is confusing and isn't converting donors", with the database integration being more straightforward.

Who I'd actually interview

I'd issue a small RFP to Heller, Thirdwave, and LimeRed and make them respond to the same scenario:

"We are a mid-sized nonprofit with an existing donor CRM, website, online donation system, and email platform. We need a new UX/site architecture and reliable two-way data integration, with minimal disruption to fundraising."

Ask each agency to show:

1. Two nonprofit projects involving donor/CRM integration
2. Exactly which CRM/donation platforms they integrated
3. Their approach to data mapping, deduplication, migration and ongoing sync
4. How they conduct UX research and usability testing with donors
5. Accessibility approach (WCAG/ADA)
6. Who actually does the integration work—not just who sells the project
7. A proposed architecture showing website → donation platform → CRM → email/analytics
8. Three-year total cost, including post-launch support

My pick: Thirdwave if you want one partner to own both sides of the problem. Their Chicago Foundation for Women work is unusually close to your requirements: nonprofit + UX/information architecture + WordPress + Blackbaud donor integration. www.thirdwavellc.com

If your existing donor database is Salesforce/NPSP and the integration is complicated, I'd flip the recommendation to Heller and potentially pair them with a UX/web specialist. Heller's nonprofit CRM specialization is considerably deeper. teamheller.com

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, etc.) and roughly what you want to spend, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare their likely fit, location, nonprofit experience, and pricing level.

For a mid-sized nonprofit that needs both donor-data integration and a better website UX, I’d put Heller Consulting at the top of the list—especially if your donor database is Salesforce or another complex nonprofit CRM.

My shortlist

1. Heller Consulting — best for the systems/integration side
   • Downtown Chicago, at 53 W Jackson Blvd.
   • Deep nonprofit specialization and particularly strong Salesforce/CRM implementation, migration, data architecture, and change management.
   • They recently worked with Loyola University Chicago on a complex Salesforce/Kindsight implementation involving data migration, configuration, integrations, and donor/event portals. teamheller.com
   • My pick if database integration is the hardest part of the project.

2. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best balance of UX + nonprofit digital
   • Chicago-based and purpose-driven.
   • Their capabilities include information architecture, UX/UI, accessibility, WordPress, analytics, and integrations with CRMs, forms, payments, and email systems.
   • My pick if the website experience is equally important to the CRM work.

3. Sandstorm Design — best for sophisticated UX
   • Chicago-based, with a strong UX research/strategy practice.
   • They emphasize user research, usability testing, journey mapping, inclusive design, and larger web modernization projects.
   • My pick if you have a complicated audience structure and need serious UX discovery rather than just a redesign.

4. Dialogue Theory — best smaller, high-touch option
   • Chicago studio focused on mission-driven organizations.
   • Strong fit for UX/UI, digital strategy, and web development, with a smaller-team/extended-team model.
   • Worth considering if you want senior attention rather than a large-agency process.

Who I'd hire

I'd interview Heller and LimeRed first. They're complementary:

• Heller: “Make our donor data and systems actually work.”
• LimeRed: “Make the website and donor experience actually work.”
• Sandstorm: “Understand our users deeply and redesign the experience around them.”

If you want one agency to own the whole thing, I'd lean LimeRed, provided they can demonstrate experience with your specific donor CRM and integration requirements. If the integration involves a major Salesforce migration or complicated data architecture, I'd instead hire Heller as the technical lead and potentially bring in a UX/web specialist alongside them.

One particularly relevant benchmark: Chicago's own Community Trust engaged Heller for Salesforce/data integration work while also modernizing its donor portals' UI/UX; the project involved 350K+ grants and gifts and near-real-time Salesforce/finance/portal data transfers. www.claritypartners.com

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Neon One, etc.), your approximate website budget, and whether you're looking for a full redesign, I can narrow this to one agency and give you a recommended shortlist/RFP strategy.

If I were hiring for a mid-sized Chicago nonprofit that needs both donor-data integration and a genuinely strong website UX, my first call would be Orbit Media Studios.

One caveat: Orbit is Chicago-based but not downtown—its office is at 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. www.orbitmedia.com If “downtown” is a hard requirement, I’d shortlist differently.

My pick: Orbit Media Studios

Why I’d put them first:

• Deep nonprofit experience. Orbit says it has worked with 50+ Chicago nonprofits through its Chicago Cause program and has substantial nonprofit case-study experience, including Nourishing Hope, Chicago CRED, Awakenings and SitStayRead. www.orbitmedia.com
• UX is a core capability, not an add-on. Their nonprofit work specifically emphasizes information architecture, user journeys, accessibility, mobile UX and conversion paths for donors and other audiences. www.orbitmedia.com
• They can handle the technical integration. Orbit explicitly offers CRM integrations, API/third-party integrations and custom development, rather than simply handing the site to a separate developer. www.orbitmedia.com
• They understand fundraising UX. Their nonprofit work includes donation conversion strategy and examples of measurable improvements in donation/conversion behavior. www.orbitmedia.com
• They keep development in-house, which I'd consider important for a project where the donor database, website and fundraising flows all have to work together. www.orbitmedia.com

If downtown Chicago is non-negotiable

I'd also talk to UX 4Sight at 111 W. Jackson Blvd. They're very centrally located and UX-focused, but I'd want to establish their nonprofit donor-CRM integration credentials before putting them ahead of Orbit.

Another downtown option is ArtVersion® Creative Agency at 211 W. Wacker. They're a credible creative/web shop, but again, I'd make donor-data architecture a gating criterion rather than choosing primarily on design.

One important distinction

If your donor database integration is the hard part—e.g., Salesforce/Nonprofit Cloud, Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, complicated gift processing, constituent deduplication, migration, or bi-directional data synchronization—I would consider bringing in Heller Consulting for the CRM architecture alongside a web agency. Heller is nonprofit-specialized and has substantial fundraising-technology implementation experience, including Salesforce implementations and data migration. teamheller.com

My recommendation:
Hire Orbit as the lead agency if you want one partner accountable for UX + website + integrations. If your CRM is unusually complex, Orbit + Heller is the stronger, lower-risk combination.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you use (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Neon, EveryAction, etc.) and roughly what your website budget is, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly who I'd put on the RFP.

If you want one downtown Chicago firm to hire, my first call would be Thirdwave.

My pick: Thirdwave

They’re in River North at 15 W. Hubbard St., and they’re unusually well matched to your combination of needs: nonprofit web UX plus donor/CRM integration. www.thirdwavellc.comwww.thirdwavellc.com

The strongest evidence is their work for Chicago Foundation for Women: Thirdwave handled information architecture and UX validation, built the WordPress site, and custom-integrated it with Blackbaud's donor platform. They also have nonprofit experience including AIDS Foundation of Chicago. www.thirdwavellc.com

Thirdwave's website

Why I'd shortlist them:

• Proven donor-database integration, rather than just generic web development.
• Real UX/information-architecture capability, not merely visual design.
• Nonprofit experience, including Chicago organizations.
• Small enough to be hands-on; their team describes itself as a multidisciplinary group of architects, developers and designers. www.thirdwavellc.comwww.thirdwavellc.com
• Downtown location makes in-person collaboration practical.

One other firm I'd interview

Heller Consulting would be my second call if the database/CRM side is especially complicated. They're exceptionally nonprofit-focused and have deep expertise in Salesforce, Blackbaud, data migration, governance and systems integration. teamheller.com

Heller Consulting

The tradeoff is that Heller is primarily a nonprofit technology/CRM consultancy, whereas Thirdwave is a more natural single partner for website + UX + technical integration. Heller's current site also says it's headquartered in Texas, despite having Chicago presence, so I wouldn't choose it if "downtown Chicago agency" is a hard requirement. teamheller.com

What I'd do

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I'd invite Thirdwave and Heller to pitch against the same brief, but I'd make Thirdwave the favorite.

In the RFP, I'd specifically require them to demonstrate:

1. Current donor database/CRM → website → donation form → email automation data flow.
2. Their experience with your exact CRM (Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Neon One, etc.).
3. UX research/testing with actual donors and prospective donors.
4. Donation conversion and mobile UX improvements.
5. Data migration, deduplication and integration ownership.
6. Post-launch support and who actually maintains the integrations.

If you tell me which donor database/CRM you're using and roughly what your website is built on (WordPress, Drupal, etc.), I can narrow this to the 2–3 Chicago agencies I'd actually put on the shortlist and tell you who I'd hire.

If donor-database integration is a core requirement—not just a website redesign—I’d hire Heller Consulting.

They’re in the Loop at 53 W Jackson Blvd, and they’re unusually well matched to a mid-sized nonprofit: Heller works exclusively with nonprofits/education/healthcare, and its core work includes CRM implementation, data migration, platform integration, fundraising technology, and change management. teamheller.com

Heller Consulting

Why I'd put them first

• Donor data: This is their strongest differentiator. They work with Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, Microsoft, HubSpot and fundraising platforms, including complex migrations and integrations. teamheller.comteamheller.com
• Real Chicago nonprofit experience: Their case studies include Loyola University Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, among others. teamheller.com
• Website/digital experience: They can handle online fundraising tools and donor/volunteer portals, although I'd explicitly require a strong UX/web-design lead in the proposal rather than assuming website UX is their primary strength. teamheller.comteamheller.com
• Mid-sized nonprofit fit: They emphasize change management and staff adoption, which matters enormously when you're connecting development, communications, finance and programs to one donor-data ecosystem. teamheller.com

Two alternatives I'd interview

If UX/website experience is equally important:
Sandstorm Design — Chicago-based and particularly strong in UX research, journey mapping, usability testing, inclusive design and complex web development. I'd ask them to demonstrate specific CRM/donor-system integrations before putting them ahead of Heller.

If you want a smaller, more design-oriented partner:
Dialogue Theory — Chicago-based, mission-driven, and focused heavily on UX/UI and digital experience. I'd view them as the UX specialist rather than the obvious choice for a complex donor-database integration.

My recommendation

I'd issue an RFP to Heller + Sandstorm + Dialogue Theory, but make Heller the first call. The key is not to hire a generic web agency and bolt the donor database on afterward. You want someone to design the donor journey, website UX, CRM/data architecture, donation flow, and integrations as one system.

In the RFP, I'd require each firm to show:

1. A comparable nonprofit CRM/database integration.
2. A before/after donor journey or website UX example.
3. Exactly which CRM/fundraising platforms they can integrate.
4. How they'll handle data cleansing, deduplication and migration.
5. Who owns the UX versus technical architecture.
6. Three nonprofit references from organizations roughly your size.
7. A fixed estimate for discovery before committing to the full build.

Bottom line: Heller if database integration is the hard problem; Sandstorm if UX is the hard problem. For a project where both are genuinely 50/50, I'd start with Heller and make UX capability a condition of the final contract.

If you want one agency to own both donor-data integration and website UX, I’d put Heller Consulting at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Heller Consulting — best overall fit

They’re my strongest recommendation for a mid-sized nonprofit because the hard part of your project is likely the intersection of CRM/data architecture, donor workflows, and digital experience, not simply making a nicer website. Heller specializes exclusively in mission-driven organizations and has substantial experience with Salesforce, Blackbaud, data migration, implementation, training, and organizational change. Their Chicago office is at 53 W Jackson Blvd. teamheller.com

Hire them if: your donor database is complicated, you're considering Salesforce/Blackbaud changes, or the website needs to be tightly integrated with fundraising operations.

Heller Consulting

2. Clique Studios — best if UX/web experience is equally important

Clique has a downtown Loop office at 20 N Wacker, and its capabilities span UX/UI, usability testing, accessibility, web development, custom engineering, and integrations. That makes it particularly attractive if you're envisioning a substantial website redesign rather than a CRM project with a website attached.

Hire them if: your website's user experience, information architecture, accessibility, and overall digital transformation are major priorities.

Clique Studios

3. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best nonprofit-oriented UX/design alternative

LimeRed is Chicago-based and does UX/UI, information architecture, accessibility, WordPress, analytics, and CRM/form/payment integrations. It's a particularly good candidate if you want a hands-on design agency rather than a large technology consultancy.

LimeRed Studio

Who I'd hire

For a mid-sized nonprofit, I'd interview Heller and Clique first.

• Heller wins if donor database integration is the critical path.
• Clique wins if the website/UX and digital experience are the critical path.
• If you need both to be genuinely first-class, ask each to propose a joint architecture covering CRM → donation forms → website → email/marketing automation → analytics, rather than letting the web team and database team design those pieces independently.

One important wrinkle: if you're already on Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, or another specific CRM, tell me which one. That could change my recommendation substantially. www.blackbaud.com

For a mid-sized nonprofit in downtown Chicago that needs both donor database integration and website UX, I would not hire a pure web design shop. You want a partner that understands fundraising workflows, CRM architecture, data migration, accessibility, and donor journeys.

My shortlist:

1. Best overall fit: Heller Consulting

Hire if: your donor database is complex (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Dynamics, integrations, reporting).

Why:

• Deep nonprofit technology specialization.
• Strong fit for CRM strategy, implementation, integrations, and organizational adoption.
• Chicago office in the Loop.
• They are more likely than a design agency to solve the “single source of truth for donors” problem.

Tradeoff:

• They are not primarily a brand/UX studio, so you may pair them with a design-focused firm.

My pick for: a $5M–$50M nonprofit with a messy donor ecosystem.

2. Best single-agency UX + nonprofit digital partner: Sandstorm Design

Sandstorm Design
Web
Address: 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 773-348-4200
Hire if: the website experience, accessibility, content structure, and constituent journeys are as important as the CRM.

Why:

• Strong UX-driven approach.
• Mission-led organization experience.
• Good fit for redesigning a nonprofit website around donors, advocates, members, and program audiences.

Tradeoff:

• Confirm their depth with your specific donor CRM before signing.

My pick for: a nonprofit saying “our website is outdated and donors can’t find or do what they need.”

3. Best nonprofit-specialist digital/CRM hybrid: LimeRed Studio, Inc.

LimeRed Studio, Inc.
Web
Address: 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 312-238-9070
Hire if: you want a collaborative, mission-oriented agency that can handle UX, accessibility, web development, and integrations.

Why:

• Purpose-driven agency with nonprofit experience.
• Covers UX, information architecture, accessibility, CMS, analytics, and CRM/form integrations.

Tradeoff:

• May be better for a website-led transformation than a massive CRM replatform.

4. Best if Salesforce is central: Clarity Partners

Hire if: Salesforce is your donor system of record.

Why:

• Has nonprofit Salesforce integration experience, including donor portal modernization and data synchronization work. www.claritypartners.com

Who I would actually hire

For a typical mid-sized Chicago nonprofit, I’d run a short RFP with:

1. Heller Consulting — CRM/data architecture lead
2. Sandstorm Design — UX/web experience lead
3. LimeRed Studio — alternative integrated digital partner

Then choose based on who can show:

• 2–3 nonprofit case studies with donor journeys
• experience integrating your exact CRM
• accessibility compliance (WCAG)
• a clear data migration plan
• post-launch optimization (not just “launch and leave”)

A few questions would change my recommendation:

1. What donor database are you using now (Salesforce NPSP, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, Neon, something else)?
2. Is this a website redesign + integration, or are you also replacing the CRM?
3. Rough annual budget for the project ($50k, $100k, $250k+)?