Negative mentions of Solid Digital

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Chris Depa Web Design + Branding - 1528 Robinhood Ln, La Grange Park, IL 60526, United States
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640

Yes. I’d prioritize small/midsize studios that explicitly work with nonprofits or have a stated pro-bono/discount program, rather than starting with the big Chicago agencies. That gives you a much better shot at getting a thoughtful redesign without a $25k–$50k+ agency engagement.

My shortlist

1. LimeRed Studio, Inc. — best overall for a mission-driven nonprofit

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

This would be one of my first calls. LimeRed is Chicago-based and specifically focuses on nonprofits, social enterprises, and other purpose-driven organizations. Their capabilities include website strategy, UX/UI, accessibility, SEO, WordPress development, integrations, and ongoing maintenance. Their client feedback also specifically mentions understanding nonprofit missions.

Why I'd contact them: If the redesign needs to do more than look nicer—e.g. clarify your story, improve donations, make the site accessible, reorganize content, etc.—they seem particularly well suited.

Ask: “Do you have a nonprofit rate, smaller-scope engagement, or pro-bono availability for smaller organizations?”

2. Firebelly Design — definitely ask about their pro-bono program

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-489-3200)

This is probably the most interesting pro-bono lead on the list. Firebelly is a Chicago creative studio with substantial nonprofit experience, and it has a Grant for Good program that provides a nonprofit with a year of free design services. Their work includes organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and The Chicago Community Trust.

The catch: the grant appears to be competitive/limited, and it's not necessarily a standing “free website for any nonprofit” program.

I'd contact them anyway, particularly if your nonprofit has a compelling mission and a website that is genuinely holding the organization back.

3. Windy City Web Solutions — best budget-oriented Chicago option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 847-801-9482)

This one jumps out if your priority is “we need a good website without spending agency money.”

They're a small Chicago shop focused heavily on WordPress, including work for nonprofits, and Clutch currently lists them at $1,000+ minimum projects with 80% of their service mix being web design. Clutch also reports nonprofit web work under $10,000 and strong reviews around communication and value. Clutch Clutch

I'd contact them if: you have a relatively straightforward redesign and want a professional WordPress site that your staff can maintain themselves.

4. What A Great Website — good boutique option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-972-5699)

This Chicago boutique studio specifically works with small businesses and nonprofits, with an emphasis on positioning, branding and making websites useful as growth tools. A nonprofit client specifically praised their ability to capture the organization's mission in the redesign.

I'd put them on the list if your biggest problem is “our website doesn't communicate who we are.”

5. Advocate Creative — good if branding + website are intertwined

DirectionsWebsite

Advocate is particularly nonprofit/foundation oriented and does website design, development, branding, publications and broader communications.

This makes more sense if your website redesign is really part of a larger brand/communications refresh, rather than simply replacing an old website.

And there are some unusually good discount/pro-bono options

These aren't necessarily Chicago-only agencies, but I'd absolutely include them in your outreach because the economics could be much better.

Crescendo Studios explicitly offers nonprofits up to 50% off, with select projects taken entirely pro bono. They specifically list web design/development and say they review applications within 48 hours. Crescendo Studios

Lorien Web is a one-person studio specifically focused on nonprofits and community organizations and offers discounted, mission-aligned rates. Their positioning is particularly appealing for a small nonprofit because they emphasize fixed, board-friendly scopes and sites that staff can maintain themselves. Lorien Web

Peak Digital offers eligible 501(c)(3)s 15% off all services, including web design/development, donation integrations and ongoing support. Peak Digital Studio

Ark40 Consulting is especially worth applying to if your budget is effectively zero: it has a pro-bono technology program for small nonprofits that includes web development and strategic technology work. They take a limited number of organizations each month. Ark40 Consulting

90five's Give-It-All program is another unusually strong lead: its program provides qualifying nonprofits/community organizations with design, development and strategy at no cost, including web design. They explicitly say there is no organization too small or mission too niche, and applications are reviewed individually. 90Five

Who I'd contact first

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

1. Firebelly — take a shot at the pro-bono Grant for Good.
2. LimeRed — strongest Chicago nonprofit-specialist candidate.
3. Windy City Web Solutions — strongest likely fit for a modest budget.
4. What A Great Website — particularly good if messaging/positioning is part of the problem.
5. Crescendo Studios — potentially 50% off or free.
6. Lorien Web — potentially excellent fit for a very small organization.
7. Ark40 — apply for pro bono.
8. 90five — apply for Give-It-All.

I wouldn't lead with large agencies like Social Driver, Solid Digital, or Razorfish unless you have a substantial budget. Current Chicago nonprofit-agency listings show some of these firms starting around $10k–$25k+ and going considerably higher. Clutch Clutch

One important trick

Don't email them saying simply “We need a website redesign. What would it cost?”

For a nonprofit, lead with:

• your mission
• approximate annual budget
• whether you're a 501(c)(3)
• current website
• what's wrong with it
• what the new site needs to accomplish
• approximate number of pages
• whether you need donations/events/volunteer forms
• your actual maximum budget
• whether you'd consider a phased or pro-bono engagement

That makes it much easier for an agency to say “yes, here's a way we can make this work.”

If you tell me your nonprofit's website, approximate budget (even “$0–5k”), and what you dislike about the current site, I can narrow this to 3–5 agencies that are the best fit and give you a tailored outreach email for each.

4. What A Great Website — good boutique option

This Chicago boutique studio specifically works with small businesses and nonprofits, with an emphasis on positioning, branding and making websites useful as growth tools. A nonprofit client specifically praised their ability to capture the organization's mission in the redesign.

I'd put them on the list if your biggest problem is “our website doesn't communicate who we are.”

5. Advocate Creative — good if branding + website are intertwined

Advocate is particularly nonprofit/foundation oriented and does website design, development, branding, publications and broader communications.

This makes more sense if your website redesign is really part of a larger brand/communications refresh, rather than simply replacing an old website.

And there are some unusually good discount/pro-bono options

These aren't necessarily Chicago-only agencies, but I'd absolutely include them in your outreach because the economics could be much better.

Crescendo Studios explicitly offers nonprofits up to 50% off, with select projects taken entirely pro bono. They specifically list web design/development and say they review applications within 48 hours. Crescendo Studios

Lorien Web is a one-person studio specifically focused on nonprofits and community organizations and offers discounted, mission-aligned rates. Their positioning is particularly appealing for a small nonprofit because they emphasize fixed, board-friendly scopes and sites that staff can maintain themselves. lorienweb.com

Peak Digital offers eligible 501(c)(3)s 15% off all services, including web design/development, donation integrations and ongoing support.

Ark40 Consulting is especially worth applying to if your budget is effectively zero: it has a pro-bono technology program for small nonprofits that includes web development and strategic technology work. They take a limited number of organizations each month.

90five's Give-It-All program is another unusually strong lead: its program provides qualifying nonprofits/community organizations with design, development and strategy at no cost, including web design. They explicitly say there is no organization too small or mission too niche, and applications are reviewed individually.

Who I'd contact first

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