Answers that do not mention Solid Digital

• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Ensemble Media - 4704 N Kenmore Ave C, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• C E Anderson & Associates - 175 N Franklin St Unit 410, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Idea Marketing Group - 46 Saravanos Dr, Ste F, Yorkville, IL 60560
• Mabbly - 640 N La Salle Dr #540, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• TLO Web Designs - 9109 S Paxton Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

Yes. I found several Chicago-area agencies with specific evidence of both nonprofit work and serious web accessibility experience. I’d prioritize the first three.

Best matches

• Mightybytes — strongest match

This is the clearest fit if your nonprofit serves people with disabilities. Mightybytes is Chicago-based and has worked directly with Access Living, a Chicago disability-rights organization, on a major website redesign. They targeted WCAG AAA, conducted user testing with people using assistive technologies, and have continued supporting Access Living for years. They also worked with the Disability & Philanthropy Forum. Mightybytes Mightybytes

They now state that their deliverables meet WCAG 2.2 AA by default and that they partner with Access Living for manual accessibility testing. Mightybytes Mightybytes

Contact: mightybytes.com
Phone: 773-561-7529
Chicago: 1725 W. Balmoral Ave. Mightybytes

• Sandstorm Design — excellent nonprofit + accessibility combination

Sandstorm has 20+ years of nonprofit experience, IAAP/CPACC-certified accessibility professionals, accessibility training, and ongoing audits. Its nonprofit portfolio includes organizations such as the Vasculitis Foundation, MPN Research Foundation and Illinois Holocaust Museum. Sandstorm Design

They also have specific experience turning inaccessible PDFs into accessible HTML experiences, which could be particularly useful if your organization publishes reports, program materials, or other documents. Sandstorm Design

Contact: sandstormdesign.com
Chicago: 4422 N. Ravenswood Ave.

• Ensemble Media — particularly interesting for disability-focused work

Ensemble has a documented project around the ADA30 / Chicago Community Trust Disabilities Fund, including accessible web design and a broader disability-inclusion campaign. That's unusually close to what you're looking for. Their work also includes accessible interactive data experiences.

Contact: ensemblemedia.com
Chicago: 4704 N. Kenmore Ave.

Other agencies worth contacting

• Promet Source — Chicago-headquartered Drupal/WordPress agency with a strong accessibility, WCAG, Section 508 and public-sector/nonprofit background. Particularly worth considering if you have a large, complex site, resource library, or Drupal requirement.

prometsource.com

• Project6 — has substantial foundation/nonprofit experience and specifically says most of its nonprofit clients need WCAG 2.2 AA compliance. It offers UX, usability testing, WordPress/Drupal and custom development. Project6

project6.com

• Windy City Web Solutions — potentially a more budget-conscious option. It specifically markets accessible WordPress development for Chicago nonprofits and has nonprofit experience including United Way of Lake County. Windy City Web Solutions

windycitywebsolutions.com

My shortlist

If I were sending out an RFP, I'd start with:

1. Mightybytes — best documented disability-specific accessibility experience.
2. Sandstorm Design — excellent combination of nonprofit UX research and accessibility expertise.
3. Ensemble Media — especially worth talking to because of its direct ADA/disability-community campaign experience.
4. Promet Source — strong choice for a technically complex nonprofit website.
5. Project6 — good additional nonprofit/accessibility candidate.

One useful thing to ask all of them is: “Can you give us references from disability-focused organizations where you personally built or redesigned the website, and can you describe how people with disabilities participated in accessibility testing?” That will distinguish genuine accessibility experience from agencies that simply say “ADA compliant” on their website.

• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral 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
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• 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
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Garenne Bigby - 200 E Randolph Dr, Ste 5100, Chicago, IL 60601
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Rowe Intermedia - Chicago, IL 60641
• Karim McCall Creative - Evanston, IL 60202, United States
• Glantz Design - 1881 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States

If you’re looking for a Chicago agency that understands accessibility, disability communities, and nonprofit audiences, I’d prioritize firms that can show both (1) accessibility practice (WCAG/keyboard/screen-reader testing, inclusive UX) and (2) nonprofit or mission-driven experience. Here are several worth contacting:

A few non-Chicago specialists that may also be worth considering if you’re open to remote partners:

• Elevation Web — nonprofit-only agency with a strong accessibility focus; they state they build nonprofit sites to WCAG 2.2 AA and work with accessibility testing and nonprofit workflows. Elevation Web Solutions Elevation Web Solutions
• Project6 — works with foundations and nonprofits and highlights WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility practices. Project6

Questions I’d ask before hiring

For a disability-focused nonprofit, I’d ask each agency:

1. Can you show 2–3 sites you built for disability, healthcare, advocacy, or community-service organizations?
2. Who participates in accessibility testing? (Automated scans alone are not enough; ask about keyboard testing, screen readers, and testing with disabled users.)
3. Which WCAG level do you target? (Many organizations aim for WCAG 2.2 AA.)
4. How do you train nonprofit staff to keep content accessible after launch?
5. Can you audit our current site first and provide a prioritized remediation plan?

If your organization serves people with disabilities directly, I’d put Mightybytes, Sandstorm Design, Dialogue Theory, and Promet Source near the top of the first outreach list because they appear most aligned with accessibility + mission-driven work.

• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Taylor Bruce Design Partnership - 730 N Franklin St #310, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Studio Blue - 800 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60622
• Ham Designs - 551 Cherry St, Macon, GA 31201, United States
• Green Gate Marketing - 235 Ponce De Leon Pl, Decatur, GA 30030, United States
• Third Wave Digital - 165 1st St, Macon, GA 31201, United States
• M&R Marketing - 331 3rd St, Macon, GA 31201, United States
• Elizabeth Schorr & Co. - 1083 Washington St, Macon, GA 31204, United States
• Constructive - 82 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038, United States
• Southern Digital Consulting - 804 Cherry St Ste C, Macon, GA 31201, United States
• The Park Group - 153 Gateway Dr, Macon, GA 31210, United States
• Najera Design, Inc. - 401 Cherry St #300, Macon, GA 31201, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

Assuming you mean River North in Chicago, I’d put these at the top of your shortlist:

1. Advocate Creative — my first call for a nonprofit. They specialize in nonprofits and foundations, and their work covers brand strategy, messaging, visual identity, websites, campaigns, and print. They say they’ve worked with 90+ nonprofits/foundations. Advocate Creative
2. Taylor Bruce Design Partnership — strongest nearby option. They’re in the River North area and combine branding, content, and web development, with nonprofit/cultural work including Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Field Museum.
3. Studio Blue — worth considering if you're a cultural/arts/education nonprofit. Their specialty leans heavily toward mission-driven institutions and nonprofits, with both identity and digital experience work.
4. ArtVersion — a good alternative if the website itself is a major priority. They explicitly cite nonprofit web work and have experience across branding, UX, web design and development; their studio is just west of River North. ArtVersion
5. EDUCO — particularly interesting if you want a nonprofit-specialist rather than simply a Chicago creative agency. They specifically combine nonprofit branding + web design and list Chicago nonprofits such as LISC Chicago, Women Employed, Housing Forward and BUILD Chicago among their work. Educo Web Design

If it were my nonprofit

I'd request proposals from Advocate Creative, Taylor Bruce, and EDUCO. That gives you three different flavors: nonprofit-specialist creative, a conveniently located Chicago studio, and a strategy-heavy nonprofit web/branding shop.

I'd also make the RFP explicitly ask for brand strategy → messaging → visual identity → website UX/content architecture → development, rather than treating the rebrand and website as two unrelated projects. That's where agencies like Advocate and EDUCO seem particularly well aligned. Advocate Creative Educo Web Design

If you tell me your nonprofit's mission, approximate annual budget, and rough website/rebrand budget, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually interview and give you the questions I'd ask each one.

Assuming you mean River North in Chicago, I’d shortlist agencies that actually understand nonprofits rather than picking a generic River North web shop.

My top 4

• Advocate Creative — Probably my first call. They’ve worked with 90+ nonprofits and foundations and offer the full package: brand strategy, messaging, visual identity, website design/development, and campaigns. Their client list includes United Way of Metro Chicago and the Environmental Law & Policy Center. Advocate Creative
• EDUCO — Particularly strong if the website is as important as the rebrand. They explicitly specialize in nonprofits and have worked with organizations including LISC Chicago, Women Employed, Housing Forward, and BUILD Chicago. EDUCO
• Casa Blue — I'd look here if your nonprofit has a strong social-justice/community-facing mission. They combine brand strategy, identity, UX, accessibility, and website development, with a portfolio centered on social-change organizations. Casa Blue
• That's So Creative — A good option if you want a more contemporary, culturally aware brand. They're woman- and minority-owned, explicitly serve nonprofits and institutions, and have worked with organizations including Cook County and the Art Institute of Chicago. That's So Creative

If I were spending the nonprofit's money, I'd start with Advocate Creative and EDUCO, then add Casa Blue as the more mission/identity-driven alternative.

One important distinction: if this is a true organizational rebrand rather than “make our logo and website look nicer,” make sure the agency can facilitate stakeholder research, positioning/messaging, visual identity, and website architecture—not just design. That's where nonprofit rebrands tend to succeed or fail.

If you tell me your nonprofit's mission, approximate annual budget, and rough website/rebrand budget (even ranges like <$25k, $25–50k, $50k+), I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and tell you which one I'd pick.

• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ePageCity Inc. - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 3023, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• eGuide Tech Allies - 405 W Superior St, Ste 409, Chicago, IL 60622
• Rich Design Spot - 22 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
• That's So Creative, LLC - 3636 S Iron St Ste C-350, Chicago, IL 60609, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Osmo Web Agency, LLC - 7427 S South Shore Dr #4K, Chicago, IL 60649, United States
• Web Trax Studio - 323 South East Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
• Greater Good Studio - 3759 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Geek Empowered - Chicago, IL 60621
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States

Yes. I found several Chicago-area firms that look particularly relevant for a grassroots nonprofit with a tight web budget. I’d prioritize firms that publish nonprofit discounts, flat-rate packages, sliding scales, or budget-conscious positioning rather than conventional agencies whose nonprofit projects often run into five figures.

Best fits

• Windy City Web Solutions — South Loop

• Probably my best Chicago-local match.
• Explicitly specializes in websites for Chicago nonprofits, charities, and community groups.
• Builds WordPress sites and emphasizes avoiding heavy agency overhead: you work directly with the developer.
• Their nonprofit page specifically stresses maximizing value for limited budgets. Windy City Web Solutions
• Best for: a small community nonprofit that needs a professional WordPress site, donation functionality, accessibility, and ongoing support without a large agency structure.
• ePageCity Inc. — Downtown, 111 N Wabash Ave

• A genuine downtown Chicago option.
• Works with nonprofits as well as small/midsize organizations and has a reputation for affordable solutions. Clutch
• Best for: a nonprofit wanting a more conventional web agency but still looking for reasonable pricing.
• eGuide Tech Allies — River North

• Particularly interesting if your organization needs more than just a website: they work with emerging nonprofits and small organizations, including web design, donor/CRM systems, and technology implementation.
• Best for: a grassroots group that needs help connecting its website with donor management, forms, email, or other systems.
• Rich Design Spot — Downtown, 22 W Washington St

• Positions itself around affordable professional websites, including bundled hosting/domain services.
• Its pay-monthly plans reportedly extend specifically to Illinois small businesses and nonprofits.
• Best for: an organization that would rather spread costs monthly than pay a large upfront project fee.

Other unusually nonprofit-friendly options

• That's So Creative, LLC — Chicago-based and specifically focused on nonprofits, institutions, and mission-driven organizations. Offers web design plus hosting, maintenance, branding, and communications. It may be worth getting a quote, particularly if you need both a website and basic visual identity.
• Firebelly Design — A well-established Chicago design studio with substantial nonprofit experience. Importantly for a grassroots organization, its Grant for Good program has historically donated design services to one nonprofit each year. That's potentially a better route than trying to negotiate a conventional project rate.
• What A Great Website — Downtown Chicago boutique agency that works with nonprofits and has examples of working within nonprofit budget constraints. I'd consider them if you want something more polished/custom than a basic template site.

One important wildcard

If Chicago-local isn't an absolute requirement, there are some dramatically cheaper nonprofit-specific options:

• Howle Creative offers nonprofit packages with up to 20% off projects of $1,000+. Howle Creative
• Catalyst Web Co. offers verified nonprofits up to 25% off, plus the ability to spread the website investment over 12 months through its hosting/maintenance arrangement. Catalyst Web Co.
• SpireDevs currently advertises nonprofit-specific packages, including a $150–$250 Starter package for a 3–5-page site. SpireDevs Agency
• Durk Media says it uses sliding-scale pricing, has projects starting around $500, and is developing a pro-bono program; it also works with community groups that aren't necessarily 501(c)(3)s. Durk Media

My shortlist for a grassroots Chicago nonprofit

If I were soliciting quotes, I'd contact these four first:

1. Windy City Web Solutions — strongest combination of Chicago + nonprofit specialization + budget consciousness.
2. eGuide Tech Allies — especially good if you need donor/CRM/technology help alongside the site.
3. Rich Design Spot — investigate the monthly-payment model if cash flow is the main constraint.
4. Firebelly Design — ask specifically whether your organization could qualify for its nonprofit/pro-bono Grant for Good opportunity.

I'd be cautious about agencies whose nonprofit listings show typical project costs of $10,000–$50,000+. For example, current Chicago agency rankings show many nonprofit-capable firms in that range, which doesn't necessarily make them appropriate for a grassroots budget. Clutch

If you tell me your approximate budget — e.g. under $1,000, $1–3k, $3–5k, or $5–10k — I can narrow this to the 3 most realistic firms and compare their packages, nonprofit discounts, CMS, donation functionality, and ongoing costs.

Yes. I’d narrow the field considerably if “affordable” means genuinely realistic for a grassroots nonprofit, rather than simply “cheaper than a large agency.”

Best downtown/central Chicago candidates

The Loop Marketing is the one I'd contact first. Its own materials specifically say it was created in response to the needs of the small-business/nonprofit market and emphasizes maximizing each design dollar. A current third-party profile lists a $5,000 minimum project size and $50–$99/hour, so it may be viable for a nonprofit with a few thousand dollars, but probably not for a group with only a few hundred. theloopmarketing.com

One important caveat

Concentric Design is actually one of the more compelling nonprofit specialists, but I wouldn't classify it as a shoestring-budget provider. It explicitly says it works with nonprofits, including organizations in their first year, and has Chicago nonprofit clients. Its published minimum is $1,000, but its typical reviewed projects are substantially larger, with a $100–$149/hour rate. clutch.co

Neoteric Design is another downtown option with nonprofit/education experience, but I'd put it in the “probably not grassroots-budget first choice” category.

If the budget is really tight

I'd actually look beyond downtown Chicago. There are providers currently advertising nonprofit-specific pricing that is dramatically below conventional Chicago agencies:

• Nothing Hard says it builds websites completely free for registered nonprofits and grassroots groups, including a year of hosting/maintenance. www.nothinghard.com
• 67 Web Design advertises fully managed WordPress sites for Chicago nonprofits starting at $67/month, although the company itself is based in Michigan rather than Chicago. 67webdesign.com
• SpireDevs advertises nonprofit packages starting at $150–$250 for a 3–5-page site, although it isn't a downtown Chicago firm. www.spiredevs.com
• Howle Creative advertises nonprofit discounts of up to 20% on projects of $1,000+. howlecreative.com

So, if you're talking about a grassroots organization with under ~$2,000 total, I would not limit the search to downtown Chicago agencies. The specialized nonprofit programs are likely to give you much more for the money.

If you tell me your approximate budget — e.g. <$1,000, $1–3K, $3–5K, or $5–10K — I can narrow this to the 3 best options and compare what you'd realistically get from each.

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

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

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

My shortlist

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

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

orbitmedia.com

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

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

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

My first call: Promet Source

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735258255)

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

Why I’d book them:

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

Also worth interviewing

Mightybytes

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17735617529)

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

Sandstorm Design

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

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

Duo Consulting

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

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

Dialogue Theory

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

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

If I were booking three discovery calls

I’d start with:

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

When you talk to them, ask specifically:

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

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

• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Span - 650 W Lake St Ste 410, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Studio Blue - 800 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60622
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• NEWMEDIA.COM - 444 W Lake St Ste 1700, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Evolve with Digital - Web Design Chicago - 1375 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

Yes. I’d narrow the field pretty aggressively, because “West Loop” and “good at museum storytelling” are two different filters. Based on current portfolios and nonprofit/cultural work, these are the firms I’d put on the shortlist:

My shortlist

1. Design In Chicago — best West Loop-local option

• At 159 N. Sangamon, they’re genuinely in the West Loop and combine web design/development with branding, video, photography, and illustration.
• I’d consider them if your museum project needs a rich visual story plus a broader brand/content system, rather than just a technically excellent website.
• Watch-out: I found less evidence of deep museum-specific work than with some of the firms below.
• Span — probably the most interesting creative fit

• Span is at 650 W. Lake and has unusually relevant cultural experience: its work includes the Intuit Art Museum and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, including website/brand work.
• Their capabilities span branding, exhibition design, interactive/motion, illustration, publication design, AR, and web. That makes them particularly interesting if the museum site needs to feel like an extension of the institution's interpretive experience, rather than a conventional nonprofit website.
• My take: I'd absolutely interview them.
• Advocate Creative — best nonprofit/cultural storytelling pedigree

• They're at 320 N. Damen, right on the West Loop/West Town edge, and explicitly specialize in nonprofits and foundations.
• Their portfolio includes Chicago History Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Computer History Museum, and The Tech Interactive. Their services cover messaging, visual identity, websites, microsites, campaigns, and content. Advocate Creative
• My take: If the heart of your project is “How do we turn the museum's mission, collection, people and ideas into a compelling narrative?”, this is probably the first firm I'd call.
• Studio Blue — excellent cultural-design alternative, though no longer West Loop

• They're now at 20 W. Hubbard, so I'd treat them as a Chicago option rather than a West Loop one.
• They have extensive cultural/nonprofit experience and have worked with institutions including The Morton Arboretum and museum-related organizations.
• Particularly compelling if the project involves exhibitions, interpretation, publications, environmental graphics, or a larger museum identity system alongside the site.
• Orbit Media — strongest website-first choice

• Not West Loop, but worth breaking the geographic rule for. Orbit has been doing nonprofit sites since 2001 and has worked with Goodman Theatre; the theatre specifically praised its ability to understand the mission and represent it as a world-class cultural institution. Orbit Media Studios
• Its Awakenings Art work is also a good example of combining creative storytelling, copywriting, visual design, accessibility, UX and clear audience journeys. Orbit Media Studios
• My take: If the museum needs a sophisticated CMS, accessibility, content architecture, search, events, collections/resources, etc. without sacrificing storytelling, Orbit deserves an RFP.

One I'd probably skip for this particular brief

Cybernautic is genuinely West Loop-oriented and has solid custom-web credentials, but its positioning is much more focused on business outcomes, traffic, leads and conversions. Cybernautic Website Design Cybernautic Website Design For a museum where narrative, interpretation, cultural authority and emotional engagement are central, I'd favor the firms above.

How I'd rank them for a museum

If this were my project, I'd start with Advocate Creative, Span, and Orbit. That gives you three meaningfully different approaches: mission/storytelling, cultural/design experience, and digital strategy/technology.

One caveat: I wouldn't make physical West Loop location a hard requirement. The strongest cultural fit I found isn't necessarily the closest office, and for a museum website I'd weight actual museum storytelling case studies much more heavily than neighborhood.

If you tell me which museum / what kind of museum and roughly what the project budget is, I can narrow this to 3–4 firms and compare their relevant museum projects, likely strengths/weaknesses, and approximate project-size fit.

• Span - 650 W Lake St Ste 410, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Next/Now - 1200 W Lake St #2, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• GoodFolk - 125 S Clark St 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Futurehaus - 125 S Clark St Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Studio Blue - 800 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60622
• C Change - 1052 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• The Maude Group - 311 W Monroe St Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Studio Blue - 20 W Hubbard St #3W, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

Yes. I’d narrow the field pretty aggressively for a museum project, because “good web design” and “good cultural storytelling” are not the same thing.

My shortlist

1. Span — strongest overall fit

Span is actually in the West Loop and has a particularly relevant mix of museum/cultural work, interactive/web, exhibition design, research, and community engagement. Their portfolio includes the Nature Museum, Illinois Humanities, exhibitions, and civic storytelling. Span

Why I'd talk to them: They seem unusually good for a museum that wants the website to feel like an extension of its interpretive voice—not simply a prettier institutional website.

2. Design In Chicago — good West Loop option for a broader digital build

They're right in the West Loop and combine web design/development with branding, video, photography, and digital marketing.

Why I'd consider them: If your project needs storytelling plus a fairly comprehensive digital production partner. I'd want to see specific museum/cultural examples before putting them ahead of Span.

3. Next/Now — interesting if the museum wants immersive storytelling

Their Lake Street studio is very close to the West Loop, and their specialty is experience design, interactive installations, immersive environments, and digital storytelling. They specifically cite museum work and a Smithsonian digital visitor-center project.

Why I'd consider them: Particularly compelling if the website is part of a larger visitor experience, exhibition, interactive archive, or digital interpretation strategy.

4. Advocate Creative — excellent cultural/nonprofit credentials, though not technically West Loop

This is one I'd put on the RFP list even if you're flexible on neighborhood. Advocate says it has worked with 90+ nonprofits and foundations, and its arts/culture portfolio includes the Chicago History Museum, MCA Chicago, Computer History Museum, and others. Advocate Creative

Why I'd consider them: They understand the peculiar combination of institutional brand, donor communications, public audience, and cultural storytelling. That's a very good match for a museum.

Two others I'd benchmark against them

GoodFolk is worth a look if your museum has a lot of content and complex audiences. Their work spans cultural institutions, universities, think tanks, and publications, with an emphasis on content-heavy digital experiences and UX.

And although they're not in the West Loop, I'd seriously consider Bark Design as a comparison point. They have unusually strong Chicago cultural credentials, including work for the Field Museum, and describe their work as bringing nonprofit and institutional missions and stories to life through web and communications. Bark Design

One important wildcard

Blackbird Media isn't a conventional agency in the same way as the others, but they're specifically focused on museums and cultural nonprofits. They build custom web applications, interactive experiences, tours, kiosks, visitor analytics, and other digital infrastructure, with staff experience working inside museums. Blackbird Media

If your project involves collections, oral histories, interactive interpretation, maps, digital exhibitions, or unusual content structures, I'd put them on the list.

How I'd rank them for your project

If I were assembling a 3–4 agency shortlist, I'd start with Span, Advocate Creative, Next/Now, and Blackbird Media. That gives you four quite different approaches rather than four agencies pitching essentially the same corporate WordPress redesign.

One caveat: I wouldn't select solely on neighborhood. For a museum, I'd prioritize interpretive storytelling, content architecture, accessibility, editorial flexibility, and demonstrated cultural-institution work over having the agency's office five blocks away.

If you tell me which museum/project this is and roughly what the site needs to do (collections, exhibitions, events, memberships, fundraising, digital archive, etc.), I can make this much more specific and identify 5–7 agencies with the most relevant comparable projects, including who I'd actually invite to the RFP.

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• DataMade - 626 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Prosper Strategies - 200 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Conlon Public Strategies - 1 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• A-5 - 1 N La Salle St, Ste 4700, Chicago, IL 60602
• Watch Street Consulting - 1 N State St f15, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• a5 Inc. - 1 N LaSalle St #4700, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• UX 4Sight - 111 W Jackson Blvd Unit 1700, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Vera Creative - 935 W Chestnut St #650, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States

Yes. For a foundation that needs a highly visual site plus a better grant-application/download experience, I’d interview agencies with different strengths rather than hiring a generic web shop.

My Chicago shortlist

• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — probably my first interview. They combine brand strategy, visual identity, UX/UI, web development, accessibility, content strategy, WordPress, analytics, and integrations for purpose-driven organizations. Their work with nonprofits and civic organizations makes the foundation context particularly relevant.
• Dialogue Theory — strong UX/civic-design candidate. Their focus on mission-driven organizations, UX research, digital strategy, and experiences that need to work, not merely look good, fits a grant-seeker audience particularly well.
• DataMade — interview if the grant side is complicated. They're a Chicago civic-tech/data consultancy, so I'd ask them specifically about application workflows, structured grant data, search/filtering, and integrations rather than just visual design.
• Artversion — strong visual/brand contender. Worth including if the foundation wants the site to feel especially polished and editorial, with brand and digital experience working together.
• Firebelly Design — good mission-driven creative option. Their portfolio includes foundations, nonprofits, and Chicago civic organizations, with capabilities spanning identity, digital experiences, campaigns, and content.
• Prosper Strategies — add a strategy voice to the interviews. They're more nonprofit strategy/communications than pure web development, which makes them useful if you haven't settled the foundation's messaging, audiences, or grant-seeker journey yet.

One especially relevant specialist

Beth Interactive is worth a conversation if fundraising and donor experience are important alongside grants. They're digital-first and focused specifically on mission-driven organizations, with web audits, analytics, creative, and engagement strategy.

I'd also look at Project6: it explicitly works with foundations/nonprofits and lists grant and donation tools, accessibility compliance, stakeholder interviews, UX/UI, usability testing, and WordPress/Drupal among its capabilities. Project6

Who I'd interview first

If you only want four, I'd do:

1. LimeRed — strongest overall mission/brand/UX combination.
2. Dialogue Theory — strongest product/UX perspective.
3. DataMade — strongest candidate for a sophisticated grant workflow.
4. Firebelly — strongest creative/visual counterpoint.

And I'd interview The Chicago Community Trust's grant team or grant-application stakeholders as a user-research interview, not as a vendor. Their GrantCentral system is specifically designed around grant seekers, responsive access, accessibility, application submission, organizational profiles, and outcomes reporting. The Chicago Community Trust That could give your agency candidates unusually useful insight into what applicants actually struggle with.

For the agency interviews, I'd give everyone the same 5-minute scenario: “I'm a small nonprofit visiting this foundation for the first time. I need to understand whether I'm eligible, find the right opportunity, download the guidelines/application materials, and submit an application without calling anyone.” Then ask each agency to sketch that journey. You'll learn much more than from reviewing portfolios.

For a foundation that needs a visually compelling website plus a better system for grant application downloads/forms/resources, I’d interview a mix of nonprofit-focused web agencies, UX/design studios, and grant-communications specialists rather than only general web developers. Here are Chicago-area candidates to put on your interview list:

Strong website + storytelling partners

Advocate Creative

Advocate Creative
Web
Address: 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
Good fit if you want a foundation website that feels like a brand platform: impact storytelling, visuals, campaigns, and clear pathways for applicants or donors. Their nonprofit/foundation work includes websites designed around funding and action flows. www.orbitmedia.com

Interview about:

• How they translate a foundation’s mission into visual storytelling
• Grant-seeker user journeys
• Application portals vs. downloadable resources
• Accessibility and content governance

Orbit Media Studios

Orbit Media Studios
Web
Address: 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
Phone: +1 773-348-4581
A well-known Chicago nonprofit web agency with experience building mission-driven websites and content systems. www.orbitmedia.com

Interview about:

• WordPress/CMS recommendations
• Resource libraries
• SEO for grant opportunities
• Staff training after launch

Sandstorm Design

Sandstorm Design
Web
Address: 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 773-348-4200
A strong UX-focused option if your site needs to serve multiple audiences: applicants, grantees, partners, board members, and the public. www.orbitmedia.com

Interview about:

• User research
• Information architecture
• Accessibility
• Designing around complex application processes

Firebelly Design

Firebelly Design
Web
Address: 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Phone: +1 773-489-3200
A design-led studio with nonprofit experience and capabilities across branding, UX, and digital design.

Interview about:

• Visual identity refresh
• Impact reports and annual reports
• Photography/video integration
• Creating a memorable foundation presence

Agencies especially relevant to grants, fundraising, and nonprofit communications

Beth Interactive

Beth Interactive
Web
Address: 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: +17733324022
Worth interviewing if the website is tied closely to fundraising, donor engagement, analytics, and communications strategy. www.orbitmedia.com

Interview about:

• Conversion tracking
• Donor/grantee communications
• Website analytics
• Connecting website content to fundraising goals

Social Capital-Chicago

Social Capital-Chicago
Web
Address: 980 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312-266-0300
A nonprofit consulting option for messaging, proposals, impact materials, and communications strategy. www.orbitmedia.com

Interview about:

• Grant narrative consistency
• Impact storytelling
• Foundation communications strategy
• Annual reports and case statements

JG Poll & Associates

JG Poll & Associates
Web
Address: 5445 N Sheridan Rd Apt 2615, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Phone: +1 773-425-9011
A grant-writing/resource-development specialist that could complement a web build.

Interview about:

• Grant application workflow
• Applicant communications
• How to organize downloadable materials
• Review processes

Smaller or mission-aligned studios to consider

Greater Good Studio

Greater Good Studio
Web
Address: 3759 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Phone: +1 773-599-9717
Consider if your foundation wants deeper community-centered design research, not just a website redesign.

Advocate Creative

Advocate Creative
Web
Address: 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
Also worth keeping on a shortlist if you want a highly polished visual identity paired with digital work. www.orbitmedia.com

Questions I’d ask every interviewee

1. “Show us three foundation/nonprofit sites you built where users had to find grants, applications, or downloadable resources.”
2. “How would you structure our grant page?”
   • Current opportunities
   • Eligibility rules
   • Guidelines PDF
   • Application portal
   • FAQs
   • Past awards
   • Reporting requirements
3. “Who owns updates after launch?”
4. “How will you make the site accessible (WCAG)?”
5. “What CMS would you recommend and why?”
6. “How will you measure success?”
   • Application starts/completions
   • Resource downloads
   • Newsletter signups
   • Donor engagement
7. “Can you help migrate our existing grant documents and clean up our content structure?”

A practical shortlist of 5 interviews would be:

1. Advocate Creative
2. Orbit Media Studios
3. Sandstorm Design
4. Beth Interactive
5. Social Capital-Chicago

That mix gives you visual design, nonprofit UX, and grant/fundraising strategy rather than just a website vendor. www.orbitmedia.com

• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• DataMade - 626 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• Progressive Data Services - 2161 W Leland Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• BCN Communications - 900 N Franklin St, Ste 402, Chicago, IL 60610
• Parliament Collective Intelligence - 444 N Wells St Ste 402, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Three Communication Design - 4507 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 105, Chicago, IL 60640
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Greater Good Studio - 3759 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613

Yes. I’d narrow the Chicago market pretty aggressively because “nonprofit annual reports” + “interactive data visualization” is a more specialized combination than ordinary nonprofit web design.

My shortlist

1. Advocate Creative — strongest all-around nonprofit fit

• Chicago-based branding/design agency focused specifically on nonprofits and foundations.
• Their capabilities include websites, microsites, digital reports, annual/impact reports, infographics and related communications.
• Good candidate if you want the annual report to feel like part of a broader nonprofit brand/storytelling system rather than a standalone tech project.
• I'd put them on the RFP list.
• DataMade — strongest data-visualization specialist

• This is the one I'd look at if your report contains substantial datasets, maps, charts, policy indicators, geographic data, etc.
• DataMade explicitly works with nonprofits, researchers and governments, turning complex data into public-facing web tools. Its portfolio includes interactive maps, custom charting, data explorers and research publication microsites. DataMade DataMade
• The tradeoff: they're more of a data/web consultancy than a traditional annual-report design studio. You'd want to evaluate their editorial/design capabilities alongside the technical ones.
• Definitely interview them if the visualization component is ambitious.
• Sandstorm Design — strongest sophisticated UX/web option

• Chicago digital experience/UX agency with experience serving purpose-driven organizations.
• Particularly attractive if the annual report is really the beginning of a larger digital transformation: accessibility, research, UX, CMS, governance and ongoing digital experience.
• I'd ask specifically for examples of interactive reporting/data storytelling, rather than assuming their broader nonprofit web experience translates directly.
• Bark Design — interesting smaller-studio option

• Their work spans nonprofit/cultural organizations, annual reports, interactive design and data visualization/infographics.
• This could be a good choice if you want a more hands-on design studio rather than a larger digital agency.
• I'd want to see 2–3 examples of actual interactive web reporting before putting them ahead of the firms above.
• EDUCO — very strong annual-report/nonprofit credentials

• EDUCO explicitly specializes in nonprofit web design and says it has 20+ years of nonprofit experience. Its capabilities include digital/print annual reports. Educoweb Design
• More importantly, they have actual Chicago nonprofit annual-report examples: Chicago DCASE and Chicago Loop Alliance, including animated graphs/numbers and digital/print report treatments. Educoweb Design Educoweb Design
• This is probably the safest choice if the annual report itself is the core deliverable.
• educowebdesign.com

One wildcard I'd investigate

JPD Studio has perhaps the closest portfolio example to what you're describing: its 2025 Community Preservation Corporation report is an interactive digital annual report with custom website development, information architecture and data visualization. JPD Studio

However, JPD appears to be based in New York rather than Chicago, so I wouldn't treat it as a Chicago studio. JPD Studio If you're open to a national search, I'd absolutely include them.

How I'd rank them for your project

My recommendation: don't hire based on generic “nonprofit web design” portfolios. Ask each finalist to show one annual report where the data itself is interactive, preferably with charts/maps that users can explore rather than simply animated numbers.

I'd shortlist EDUCO + DataMade + Advocate Creative + Sandstorm, then ask all four for essentially the same mini-RFP. That will make the differences in approach and pricing much easier to see.

If you tell me your approximate budget (e.g. $25–50k, $50–100k, $100k+) and whether this is a one-off annual report or a redesign of your main website too, I can narrow this to the 3 firms I'd actually interview and give you a vendor-evaluation scorecard.

For a nonprofit annual report that goes beyond a PDF—especially with interactive charts, maps, impact metrics, storytelling, and donor-facing UX—I’d shortlist studios that can handle both mission storytelling and data visualization. These Chicago-area firms look like the strongest matches: clutch.co

My shortlist for an RFP

If I were hiring for a nonprofit impact report with interactive data visualization, I’d invite these 5 to pitch:

1. DataMade — if the data itself is the centerpiece (maps, dashboards, indicators, research findings). clutch.co
2. JPD Studio — if you want a beautiful nonprofit narrative experience with interactive elements. jpdstudio.com
3. EDUCO Web Design — if you want a digital annual report that feels like an extension of your website. www.educowebdesign.com
4. Advocate Creative — if you need nonprofit communications strategy plus design.
5. Bark Design — if you need strong editorial/report design plus digital execution.

Questions I’d ask before hiring

• Can you show 3 interactive annual reports or impact reports (not just websites)?
• Who handles the data visualization: designer, developer, or data specialist?
• Can you build accessible charts (WCAG considerations, keyboard navigation, screen readers)?
• Will the report live as a standalone microsite, inside our existing CMS, or both?
• How will next year’s report updates work—do we need to hire you again or can staff update content?
• Can you provide analytics after launch (views, engagement, donor actions)?

If you share your nonprofit’s size, approximate budget, and whether you want a microsite vs. a redesigned website section, I can narrow this to the 3–4 studios most likely to be a good fit.

• The Loop Marketing - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plz, Ste 24, Chicago, IL 60654
• The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• TLO Web Designs - 9109 S Paxton Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Part Three Advertising and Marketing - 1214 N LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Chris Depa Web Design + Branding - 1528 Robinhood Ln, La Grange Park, IL 60526, United States

For your specific brief—nonprofit redesign + SEO focused on people finding your programs—I’d shortlist these:

1. The Loop Marketing — Fulton Market / Merchandise Mart

• Strong geographic fit: their Chicago office is at the Merchandise Mart, and they explicitly work with nonprofits.
• Offers WordPress web design, UX, branding, and SEO as an integrated package.
• I’d put them near the top if you want a relatively hands-on agency rather than a huge shop. Idea Marketing Group
• Orbit Media Studios — Chicago

• My strongest recommendation overall. They specialize in nonprofit websites and nonprofit SEO, and have substantial nonprofit case-study experience.
• Particularly relevant: they redesigned Off the Street Club's site around SEO, navigation, conversions, and content, reporting a 15% increase in the donation key-event rate. They also explicitly address preserving rankings during redesigns through redirects, URL strategy, and technical SEO. Orbit Media Studios
• One caveat: they're in Ravenswood rather than Fulton Market/downtown.
• The Loop Marketing Inc — Fulton Market

• Their office is at 159 N Sangamon St, right in Fulton Market.
• They specifically describe serving nonprofits and combining WordPress design with SEO and broader digital marketing.
• Worth interviewing if being physically close to your team matters.
• Operation Technology — Downtown / Wacker

• Good downtown option if SEO and measurable search performance are more important than nonprofit specialization.
• Their team covers web design/WordPress, SEO, content, and digital strategy.
• Windy City Web Solutions — South Loop

• Smaller, potentially more personal alternative.
• Specifically mentions nonprofits among its target organizations and focuses on WordPress, accessibility, SEO, maintenance, and ongoing support.

What I'd prioritize in the RFP

For your situation, I wouldn't simply ask agencies to "improve SEO." I'd ask for a search-driven redesign built around your program discovery funnel:

• Keyword research around each program/service and the language prospective participants actually use.
• A redesigned information architecture where every major program has a strong, indexable landing page.
• SEO-friendly URLs, titles, headings, internal linking and structured data.
• Migration planning with 301 redirects and preservation of existing rankings.
• Google Search Console/GA4 setup and conversion tracking.
• Accessibility (WCAG), mobile performance and page speed.
• A CMS your staff can update without developers.
• A post-launch SEO/content plan for expanding program-related searches.
• Baseline and 6-/12-month targets for non-branded organic traffic, program-page rankings, inquiries/applications and conversions.

I'd interview Orbit Media, The Loop Marketing, and Operation Technology first. Orbit is the standout on demonstrated nonprofit + SEO experience; The Loop wins on the Fulton Market location and nonprofit fit; Operation Technology gives you a useful downtown, SEO-heavy comparison.

If you tell me your nonprofit's mission/programs and approximate redesign budget (e.g. <$25k, $25–50k, $50k+), I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and compare their relevant case studies, pricing signals, and fit.

• The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• DittaTech - 616 W Fulton St Apt 408, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Point B Communications Inc - 600 W Fulton St #710, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Evolve with Digital - Web Design Chicago - 1375 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• C Change - 1052 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
• TLO Web Designs - 9109 S Paxton Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, United States
• Marcel Digital - 445 W Erie St #200, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States

For a nonprofit with an aging website that needs better program discoverability through search, I’d prioritize agencies that understand information architecture, SEO migrations, accessibility, and mission-driven content—not just visual redesign. These Chicago-area firms are worth shortlisting:

Strong nonprofit + SEO fits

Orbit Media Studios

Orbit Media StudiosBest overall fit if SEO and content structure are major goals.

Why consider them:

• Deep nonprofit website experience
• Strong focus on SEO during redesigns (keyword research, content structure, redirects, technical SEO)
• Experience helping organizations make programs easier to find and navigate
• Chicago-based, though not in Fulton Market/downtown

A good fit if your challenge is: “People need our services, but they can’t find the right program pages through Google or our navigation.”

Idea Marketing Group

Idea Marketing Group Idea Marketing GroupBest if you need a nonprofit-focused WordPress redesign with SEO baked in.

Why consider them:

• Published nonprofit redesign work
• Experience restructuring sites around user journeys, mobile usability, and SEO
• Good match for organizations that need staff to easily update programs after launch

Flamingo Agency

Flamingo AgencyBest for a smaller nonprofit that wants a practical WordPress partner.

Why consider them:

• Focuses specifically on nonprofit websites
• Emphasizes donation, volunteer, event, and program content structures
• Likely a good fit if your team needs a manageable CMS rather than a complex custom platform

Fulton Market / downtown-area agencies to consider

The Loop Marketing Inc

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-569-9449)

Located near Fulton Market/West Loop.
Why consider:

• Offers web design plus SEO services
• Works with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations
• Could be a good local, hands-on option

DittaTech

DirectionsWebsite

Located on W Fulton St.
Why consider:

• Boutique agency feel
• Offers web revamps, SEO, and digital marketing
• May suit a nonprofit looking for a more personal relationship

Point B Communications Inc

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-867-7750)

Located in Fulton Market/West Loop.
Why consider:

• More brand/communications oriented
• Could be a fit if your redesign also involves messaging, storytelling, and donor communications

What I’d ask agencies during interviews

For your specific goal (“improve SEO for program searches”), I’d ask:

1. “How will you restructure our program pages so Google understands each service?”

• Look for answers involving keyword research, page templates, internal linking, schema, and content strategy.
• “How will you prevent losing rankings during the redesign?”

• They should discuss redirects, URL mapping, preserving valuable pages, and SEO QA before launch.
• “Can you show examples where a nonprofit’s program/service traffic improved after launch?”
• “Who owns the SEO strategy—the designer, developer, or a dedicated SEO person?”
• “Will our staff be able to update program pages without a developer?”

My shortlist for a nonprofit program-search problem would be:

1. Orbit Media — strongest SEO/nonprofit alignment
2. Idea Marketing Group — strong nonprofit redesign fit
3. The Loop Marketing — local Fulton Market option
4. Flamingo Agency — practical nonprofit WordPress partner

If you share your nonprofit’s size (local vs. national), CMS (WordPress/Drupal/etc.), approximate budget, and whether “program searches” means Google searches or internal site search, I can narrow this further.

• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606
• Web Pro Chicago - 3818 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601
• Roosterly - 401 N Michigan Ave Ste 1701, Chicago, IL 60611
• One Chicago SEO Company - 20 N Clark St #2140, Chicago, IL 60602
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
• Next/Now - 1200 W Lake St #2, Chicago, IL 60607
• Wojo Design - 318 W Adams St #1609, Chicago, IL 60606
• Chris Depa Web Design + Branding - 1528 Robinhood Ln, La Grange Park, IL 60526
• Rescue Marketing - 2716 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies that explicitly advertise nonprofit discounts or have a track record with nonprofits, rather than simply asking a large agency for “pro bono.”

My shortlist

• Peak Digital — probably my first outreach. They explicitly offer 15% off all services for eligible 501(c)(3)s, and specifically describe their website work as suited to small nonprofit teams. They do Webflow and WordPress, donation integrations, branding, and ongoing support. Peak Digital Studio

peakdigitalstudio.com

• Howle Creative — particularly worth contacting if your budget is modest. They advertise up to 20% off nonprofit website projects of $1,000+, including redesigns, copywriting, SEO, and post-launch maintenance. Howle Creative

howlecreative.com

• Nonprofit Megaphone — I'd investigate this one because the entire positioning is nonprofit-focused rather than treating nonprofits as an occasional client. It's a Chicago marketing agency, so I'd ask specifically about website redesign pricing and whether they have a small-nonprofit package.
• Windy City Web Solutions — worth getting a quote from. Current Chicago nonprofit-agency reviews specifically mention work for a food pantry and public-health organization, with clients emphasizing responsiveness and value; one review category shows projects under $10,000. Clutch
• Social Driver — a stronger candidate if your redesign is strategically important and you can find some funding. They have substantial nonprofit/education experience and very strong client feedback, but their typical project pricing is considerably higher, so I'd approach them specifically about a reduced-scope nonprofit engagement or pro-bono opportunity rather than assuming they'll be affordable. Clutch Clutch

Who I'd contact first

I'd send the same short project brief to Peak Digital, Howle Creative, Windy City Web Solutions, and Nonprofit Megaphone and compare the responses.

The key is to not lead with “Can you do this pro bono?” Instead say:

We're a small nonprofit looking for a website redesign and have a limited budget. Do you offer nonprofit pricing, reduced-scope packages, or occasional pro-bono/discounted engagements for organizations like ours?

That gives them several ways to say yes.

If you tell me (1) your nonprofit's mission, (2) approximate budget—even “$0–$2k” is useful, (3) current website, and (4) what you want changed, I can narrow this to 3–5 Chicago agencies that are genuinely realistic for you, including the best person/channel to approach at each.

• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Taproot - 100 S State St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, 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
• 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
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• ePageCity Inc. - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 3023, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 50 S Main St Suit 200, Naperville, IL 60540, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Prosper Strategies - 200 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

Yes. I’d prioritize agencies with an explicit nonprofit/pro-bono program, rather than simply agencies that happen to have nonprofit clients. I found several Chicago-area options that look particularly promising for a small nonprofit website redesign.

My shortlist

1. Firebelly Design — Chicago

• Probably my first call if you want high-quality agency-level design and can potentially compete for pro bono support.
• Firebelly has a longstanding Grant for Good program under which it donates design services to a nonprofit each year. Its capabilities include UX, content strategy, accessibility, responsive development, and CMS work. Clutch
• Best if the redesign needs to improve both visual identity and the overall user experience, rather than just refreshing the WordPress theme.
• Advocate Creative — Chicago

• Very interesting fit for a nonprofit/foundation. The firm specifically focuses on communications for nonprofits and foundations and does branding, messaging, web design, and digital experiences.
• I'd reach out and explicitly ask whether they have pro-bono, nonprofit-rate, or capacity-based projects available.
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — Chicago

• Strong candidate if your site needs a more strategic overhaul. They work with purpose-driven organizations and offer research, UX/UI, accessibility, SEO, WordPress development, content strategy, and integrations.
• I'd ask about a scaled-down nonprofit engagement rather than leading with "free."
• Taproot — Chicago

• This is actually one of the best avenues if your budget is close to zero. Taproot connects nonprofits with skilled volunteers for pro-bono professional services, including design/creative and technology work.
• Rather than hiring an agency, you potentially get a volunteer professional or team to help with the redesign.
• Crescendo Studios

• This one is especially worth contacting because the nonprofit offer is explicit: qualifying nonprofits can receive up to 50% off, and selected projects are done pro bono. They specifically mention website design/development. Applications are reportedly reviewed within 48 hours. Crescendo Studios
• crescendostudios.com
• Pilot Digital — Chicago

• Their Do Good By nonprofit program is explicitly free, and they're currently accepting submissions for 2026 sessions and beyond. Their focus is more digital marketing/SEO than pure website design, but that can be very useful if your redesign is tied to increasing donations, volunteers, or visibility. Pilot Digital
• pilotdigital.com
• Statement — Oak Park

• Not Chicago proper, but close enough to include. They explicitly position themselves around nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, and their nonprofit clients mention the firm's willingness to provide options that keep projects affordable.
• I'd consider them if you're looking for good strategic/creative work without necessarily needing full pro bono.

A couple of wildcard options

There are also some newer/smaller organizations that are unusually nonprofit-friendly:

• Nothing Hard says it builds nonprofit websites completely free, including a year of free hosting and maintenance. It claims 40+ sites shipped. Nothing Hard
• Fire and Cloud Consulting's Spark Program provides one verified 501(c)(3) per quarter with a complete website build at no build cost; the nonprofit covers hosting. Fire and Cloud Consulting
• Durk Media offers sliding-scale nonprofit pricing, with minimum projects starting around $500, and says it's developing a pro-bono program. Durk Media
• Peak Digital advertises a standing 15% nonprofit discount for eligible 501(c)(3)s. Peak Digital Studio
• Lorien Web explicitly offers mission-aligned nonprofit rates and says it will scope the project around what the organization's budget can support. Lorien Web

Who I'd contact first

If this were my nonprofit and I had a small budget, I'd make these five outreach attempts in roughly this order:

1. Firebelly — best shot at exceptional agency-quality work through a charitable program.
2. Crescendo Studios — clearest combination of nonprofit discount + potential pro bono.
3. Taproot — best avenue if you genuinely can't afford an agency.
4. Advocate Creative — particularly compelling if the site also needs messaging/brand work.
5. LimeRed — strong choice for a serious UX/accessibility/content overhaul.

One important distinction: don't pitch this as "we need a website." Pitch it as a defined impact project: "We need to redesign our website so prospective donors can understand our impact, supporters can find programs, and volunteers can take action." That's much easier for an agency to justify as pro bono/community-impact work.

If you tell me your nonprofit's name, approximate annual budget, current website, and what you hate about the current site, I can narrow this to 3–5 agencies that are actually a good fit and find the right person/contact route for each.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Doejo - 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Digital Third Coast - 2540 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Cheshire Partners - 4138 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Flamingo Agency - 3752 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

Yes. For an animal rescue, I’d prioritize a partner that understands adoption workflows and animal-data integrations, not just visual web design. I looked specifically at Chicago firms plus agencies with demonstrated animal-rescue work.

My shortlist

1. Orbit Media Studios — best for a sophisticated Chicago nonprofit site

• Chicago-based, with substantial nonprofit web experience.
• Strong on UX, accessibility, SEO, WordPress, analytics, and integrations.
• They specifically position themselves as a nonprofit web-design agency and have worked with major Chicago nonprofits. Orbit Media Studios
• Best if: you want a polished, strategic site that can grow into a major adoption/donation platform.
• Watch-out: likely one of the pricier options.
• Windy City Web Solutions — best smaller Chicago partner

• Focuses on custom WordPress sites for Chicago nonprofits and emphasizes accessibility, performance, donations, and ongoing support. Windy City Web Solutions
• Best if: you want a more hands-on local developer without a large-agency process.
• Doejo — best if this is really a software/product project

• Chicago digital product and development studio capable of custom web applications, APIs, integrations, UX/UI, and full-stack development.
• Best if: you're envisioning something more substantial than a normal website—for example, a searchable adoption database, staff dashboard, automated status changes, applications, matching, or integrations with multiple systems.
• Mightybytes — strong mission-driven technical option

• Chicago firm combining web design, software development, product development, hosting, and maintenance.
• Particularly interesting if accessibility, performance, sustainability, and long-term maintainability matter to your rescue.
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. — strong nonprofit/brand + UX option

• Chicago purpose-driven design agency with web development, UX, accessibility/SEO auditing, WordPress, CRM/forms/payments integrations, and nonprofit-oriented work.
• Best if: the adoption system needs a major redesign of the overall adopter experience, not just a database.

One non-Chicago specialist I'd seriously consider

animalrescuewebsites.com is unusually relevant because it specializes exclusively in animal rescues and shelters. Its websites can embed live Pawlytics pet listings and adoption/foster applications, with listings automatically updating from the rescue's database. Its published packages start at $400–$750 plus hosting. Pawlytics Custom Websites Pawlytics Custom Websites

If you're already using Pawlytics, I'd put this near the top of the list.

Another particularly relevant specialist is blueoxweb.com. They explicitly build rescue sites with searchable animal profiles, adoption/foster applications, and integrations with animal-management/adoption platforms. Blue Ox Websites & Marketing

And webcitz.com has actual animal-rescue case studies involving automated pet listings. In one case, they integrated RescueGroups so new animals automatically appeared on the website with photos, descriptions, and adoption status. WebCitz

Who I'd contact first

For a Chicago rescue, I'd solicit proposals from:

• Orbit Media — premium nonprofit/UX strategy
• Doejo — custom application/integration capability
• Windy City Web Solutions — smaller/local technical partner
• LimeRed — nonprofit UX, accessibility, and brand
• Pawlytics — animal-rescue-specific, particularly if you use Pawlytics

I would not ask them simply for a "new website." Your RFP should describe this as an adoption listing and workflow system.

At minimum, ask for:

• searchable/filterable dog and cat listings
• individual animal profiles with photos, personality, medical/adoption information
• automatic availability/status updates
• integration with your existing shelter/rescue database, Petfinder, RescueGroups, Pawlytics, Shelterluv, etc.
• adoption application workflow
• foster application workflow
• staff/volunteer ability to add and edit animals without a developer
• photo management
• mobile-first UX
• accessibility/WCAG 2.1 AA
• SEO for individual animals and adoption searches
• analytics showing which animals/pages generate applications
• CRM/email integration
• donation and volunteer functionality
• clear ownership of the code/data and an exit plan if you change vendors

One important distinction: if your current animal-management software already contains the authoritative animal records, I would strongly favor integrating that system rather than building a second animal database. The WebCitz/RescueGroups example illustrates why—automatic synchronization eliminates duplicate data entry and stale "available" listings. WebCitz

If you tell me what software you currently use for animal records/listings (e.g. Petfinder, Shelterluv, RescueGroups, Pawlytics, spreadsheets, etc.) and roughly what budget you have, I can narrow this to 3 Chicago-area firms I'd actually put on the RFP list, with estimated project tiers and the specific questions to ask each one.

Yes. For an animal rescue, I’d prioritize agencies that understand adoptable-pet data, applications, integrations, mobile UX, accessibility, and nonprofit workflows—not just agencies that make attractive marketing sites.

My shortlist

1. Pawlytics Custom Websites — best turnkey rescue-specific option
   • Built specifically for animal rescues and shelters.
   • Supports live adoptable-pet listings, adoption/foster applications, donations, and mobile-first sites.
   • Particularly compelling if you already use Pawlytics because their website package integrates directly with it.
   • Published pricing starts at $400 for a 4-page site / $750 for a 10-page site, plus hosting. www.animalrescuewebsites.com

2. WebCitz — best for a genuinely custom adoption platform
   • They have documented animal-rescue projects, including Little Orphans Animal Rescue and Dallas Animal Services.
   • Their Little Orphans project automatically pulls pets from RescueGroups into the website, eliminating duplicate entry and keeping availability current. www.webcitz.com
   • I'd put them high on the list if your "listing system" means more than an embedded Petfinder/Adopt-a-Pet widget.

3. Blue Ox Websites & Marketing — best rescue-specific WordPress partner
   • Specifically markets to animal-rescue organizations.
   • Can build searchable pet listings, adoption/foster forms, and integrations with animal-management/listing platforms.
   • Their approach can either work with your existing platform or put listings directly into WordPress. blueoxweb.com

4. LimeRed Studio — best Chicago mission-driven design option
   • Chicago-based and focused on purpose-driven organizations.
   • Strong fit if you want a polished redesign plus UX, accessibility, SEO, WordPress development, CRM/forms/payment integrations, and training.

5. Mightybytes — best for a sophisticated nonprofit digital project
   • Chicago agency specializing in mission-driven organizations, digital products, accessibility, and sustainable web development.
   • I'd consider them if you're envisioning a broader platform rather than simply a redesigned rescue website.

6. Dialogue Theory — best for custom UX/product thinking
   • Chicago studio working with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations on strategy, UX/UI, and web development.
   • Worth talking to if you want to design the adoption experience around your organization's actual workflows rather than adapting a standard shelter template.

One particularly relevant local precedent

There is also a strong Chicago-specific example: PAWS Chicago previously commissioned a major website redesign focused on adoption, fostering, storytelling, SEO, and usability. The project was done by customedialabs. www.customedialabs.com

And Anti-Cruelty's 2025 website RFP is useful as a benchmark for what a serious Chicago animal-welfare website project should cover: mobile-first UX, prominent Adopt/Donate/Volunteer/Foster paths, staff-managed pet listings, WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility, SEO, performance, and scalability. anticruelty.org

Who I'd contact first

For your particular project, I'd solicit three proposals:

I'd choose WebCitz or Blue Ox if the adoption listing system itself is the centerpiece. I'd choose LimeRed, Mightybytes, or Dialogue Theory if you're looking to build a broader digital platform around adoption, fostering, volunteers, donors, and community engagement.

When you talk to agencies, don't simply ask for a "website quote." Ask them to scope a system with live animal records, filtering/search, animal detail pages, status changes, adoption applications, staff/volunteer administration, integrations with whatever database you currently use, analytics, accessibility, and an API/data-export strategy. That distinction can dramatically affect the architecture and cost.

• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• Multi-Lingua Communications Inc - 550 W Frontage Rd #2715, Northfield, IL 60093, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Symmetri Technology Chicago (Acquired by Yes&) - 233 N Michigan Ave #765, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Aguilera Web Design - North Aurora, IL 60542
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Haztusitio - 6058 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Wizerunek w Sieci. WWS - Web Development + SEO - 636 S River Rd #218, Des Plaines, IL 60016, United States
• Bark Design - 3115 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• Web Pro Chicago - 3818 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• Trusted Translations, Inc. - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1800, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Bigmouth Creative LLC - 4430 N Clifton Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

For an immigrant-services nonprofit, I’d separate “excellent nonprofit UX/design” from “Spanish localization” unless you find a firm that genuinely does both well. My Chicago shortlist would be:

1. Dialogue Theory — best overall fit for mission + digital experience.

They’re Chicago-based and specifically work with mission-driven organizations, nonprofits and civic agencies, with UX/UI, strategy and web development. Their profiles also indicate English/Spanish capability. This would be my first firm to interview for the actual site design/build.

2. Bark Design — strong nonprofit/mission-driven alternative.

Chicago-based, with deep experience in nonprofit, education and cultural organizations and services spanning information architecture, UX/UI, website development and communications. I'd ask specifically for recent bilingual work.

3. A+ Media — particularly interesting for the localization side.

They're in the Chicago area and have a stated specialization in Spanish-language/bilingual communications, including Spanish translation/localization workflows for web and outreach materials. This could be a very good design + bilingual content partner, especially if your service population is predominantly Latino.

4. Multi-Lingua Communications Inc — my localization specialist pick.

They're Chicago-area and explicitly handle web localization, translation management and multilingual digital production. Their approach goes beyond translating text to dealing with the design/technical implications of multilingual content. Multi-Lingua Communications, Inc.

5. Sandstorm Design — worth a conversation for a larger/complex redesign.

They're a Chicago UX/digital-experience agency with a strong purpose-driven/nonprofit orientation. If you're building substantial service flows, resource directories, forms, accessibility infrastructure, etc., I'd include them in the RFP.

The pairing I'd use

Dialogue Theory + Multi-Lingua would be my strongest combination: Dialogue Theory handles research, UX, visual design and development; Multi-Lingua handles professional Spanish localization and the ongoing translation workflow.

If you'd prefer one vendor, I'd interview A+ Media alongside Dialogue Theory and ask both to demonstrate exactly how they handle English/Spanish content architecture.

One important point: don't ask merely for a site that is “translated into Spanish.” For an immigrant-services organization, I'd require native-language UX research, culturally appropriate localization, bilingual SEO, accessibility, and an ongoing process for keeping English and Spanish pages synchronized. A Chicago nonprofit web-design guide makes the same distinction: bilingual design needs two content architectures rather than treating Spanish as an afterthought. Wandr Studio

If you tell me your approximate budget (e.g. <$25k, $25–50k, $50k+) and whether you need Spanish only or multiple languages, I can narrow this to 3 firms and compare likely fit, portfolio, pricing level, and what I'd ask each one in the first call.

For an immigrant-services nonprofit, I’d prioritize community/mission experience + bilingual UX, rather than hiring a general web shop and asking them to “translate it” afterward.

My shortlist

1. Dialogue Theory — best overall fit
   • Chicago-based digital design/development studio focused on mission-driven organizations, nonprofits and civic work.
   • Their profiles indicate English/Spanish capability, which makes them especially interesting for a bilingual service site.
   • I’d ask them to handle UX, information architecture, design and build, with Spanish localization incorporated from the beginning.

2. Orbit Media Studios — best for a larger, strategy-heavy redesign
   • Strong nonprofit specialization and a substantial Chicago track record. Their nonprofit portfolio includes Hispanic Housing Development Corporation, where they report a 3,065% increase in conversions. www.orbitmedia.com
   • Particularly good if the site needs sophisticated SEO, resource discovery, donations, accessibility and content strategy.
   • I'd have them quote the bilingual architecture, then pair them with a professional Spanish localization partner.

3. Mightybytes, Inc. — best for accessibility + mission alignment
   • Chicago agency with a strong purpose-driven/nonprofit orientation and emphasis on inclusive experience design and accessibility.
   • A good choice if your immigrant-services audience includes people with limited digital literacy or disabilities.

4. EDUCO Web Design — worth considering for a nonprofit-focused, design-forward option
   • Their published positioning specifically includes nonprofit branding and web design, with experience involving organizations such as LISC Chicago, Women Employed and BUILD Chicago. www.educowebdesign.com
   • They're in Oak Park rather than Chicago proper, but close enough that I wouldn't rule them out.

For localization

I'd seriously consider separating localization from the design/build contract unless the design firm can demonstrate native-level Spanish localization.

A particularly relevant option is Trusted Translations, Inc., whose Chicago office offers website localization and multilingual translation. Another is BURG Translations, a Chicago language-services provider that specifically lists website and content localization.

For your audience, I'd request localization, not literal translation: terminology should reflect how Chicago-area immigrants actually describe services, and Spanish should be reviewed by people familiar with your communities. Website localization should also account for navigation, forms, graphics, imagery and QA—not just translated paragraphs. www.languageinnovations.com

If I were booking calls tomorrow:
Dialogue Theory + Orbit Media + one localization specialist (BURG or Trusted Translations). Give all three the same brief and compare their approach to bilingual UX, accessibility, content migration, CMS, and ongoing maintenance—not just the visual portfolio.

If you tell me your rough budget (e.g. <$15k, $15–40k, $40k+) and whether the second language is Spanish, I can narrow this to the 2 firms I'd actually invite to bid and find their contact/booking pages.

• 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.

• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Eventlify - 150 N Michigan Ave Unit 2800, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• Artversion - 205 N Michigan Ave 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
• EventSprout - 320 W Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• SpotMe | The Enterprise Event Platform - 935 W Chestnut St Unit 515, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
• Technical Registration Experts, Inc. - 1932 S Halsted St #413, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Revel Global Events - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
• PC Events and Experiences LLC - 216 S Jefferson St Ste 102, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• GSS Inc - 8 S Michigan Ave Ste 802, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Agency EA - 311 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610, United States

Yes. I’d narrow the Chicago field considerably, because “good nonprofit web design” and “good gala registration/ticketing implementation” are different specialties.

Based on current Chicago-area offerings and publicly documented experience, these are the firms I’d contact first:

My shortlist

1. Beth Interactive — best if fundraising/donor conversion matters most

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17733324022)

Beth Interactive is a Chicago digital philanthropy agency rather than a conventional web-design shop. That’s actually a strong fit if the gala site needs to do more than sell tickets—e.g., sponsorships, donations, donor communications, campaign tracking and post-event follow-up.

Why I'd call them: They understand nonprofit fundraising behavior and digital donor journeys, not just visual design. Their Chicago presence and nonprofit focus are well established.

Best for: A sophisticated nonprofit that wants the gala experience tied into its broader fundraising strategy.

2. Eventlify — best event-registration specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 800-961-6554)

Eventlify is particularly interesting if the registration/ticketing system itself is the hard part. Its Chicago-based platform supports branded event pages, registration, fundraising-oriented events, attendee management and event-day workflows.

Why I'd call them: They're much closer to an event-tech partner than a generic web agency, so they can potentially solve the operational side of the gala rather than simply hand you a beautiful webpage.

Best for: Ticket types, sponsorship levels, attendee data, check-in, fundraising and event operations.

3. Sage Digital Agency — best pure web-development fit

Sage explicitly positions itself around nonprofit websites and says it handles event/gala registration experiences, fundraising pages and connected tools such as Givebutter and GiveWP. It also provides ongoing WordPress management rather than disappearing after launch. Sage Digital Agency

Why I'd call them: If you want a polished new nonprofit website and a gala microsite/registration experience that your staff can maintain afterward, this is one of the more directly relevant matches I've found.

sage.agency

4. Bark Design — worth interviewing for mission-driven design

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-539-7185)

Bark is a Chicago design/web studio with a strong mission-driven/nonprofit orientation. I'd put them on the creative shortlist if the gala needs a particularly strong visual identity and storytelling experience.

Caveat: I'd specifically ask them to demonstrate recent gala registration/ticketing implementations, rather than assuming their nonprofit web expertise means they handle complex event transactions.

5. EMG Fundraising — best if the gala itself is the center of the project

EMG is not primarily a conventional web-design studio, but this may actually make it a better choice if your project is fundamentally “build and operate our annual fundraising gala online.” They are a Greater Giving consulting partner and explicitly provide event websites with registration, sponsorship and auction functionality, plus guest management, tables/meals, receipts, check-in and onsite event support. They document multiple nonprofit gala/event implementations. EMG Fundraising

emgfundraising.com

Who I'd contact first

If it were my project, I'd send an RFP/brief to four groups:

1. Sage Digital Agency — ask for the complete website + gala registration build.
2. Beth Interactive — ask for the fundraising/donor-experience approach.
3. Eventlify — ask how they'd architect the actual registration/ticketing/event-data layer.
4. EMG Fundraising — ask what they could accomplish using Greater Giving and whether they would own the event technology/operations.

That gives you four meaningfully different approaches rather than four generic web agencies.

There's also an important fifth option: don't build custom ticketing at all. For many nonprofit galas, the better architecture is a beautifully designed website with a proven fundraising/event platform underneath it. For example, Givecloud supports tickets, donations, sponsorships and event registration in a connected nonprofit system. Givecloud

What I'd ask every studio

The key questions I'd put in the initial call are:

• Show us 2–3 nonprofit gala/event registration sites you've actually built.
• Can we sell individual tickets, couples, tables, VIP tickets and sponsorships?
• Can a sponsor register multiple guests and submit their guest names later?
• Can the system handle seating/table assignments and meal selections?
• Can we accept a ticket purchase + donation + sponsorship in one transaction?
• Can guests receive QR/mobile tickets and automated confirmations?
• What happens at onsite check-in?
• Does registration data flow into our CRM/donor database automatically?
• Can we use our own branding and domain without sending donors through an ugly third-party checkout?
• Can staff make changes without calling the developer?
• What happens after the gala—receipts, reconciliation, donor exports and follow-up campaigns?
• What accessibility standard will the site meet?
• What is the total annual cost, including platform fees, payment processing and maintenance—not just the website build?

I'd be especially wary of a studio that says “yes, we can integrate Eventbrite” and considers that the end of the conversation. A gala often needs ticketing + sponsorship + donations + seating + guest management + donor data + check-in, which is considerably more complicated than ordinary event RSVP.

If you tell me roughly how many guests you have, whether it's a seated dinner, what you're currently using for CRM/fundraising (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, etc.), and whether you already have a website, I can narrow this to the 2–3 Chicago firms I'd actually invite to pitch, including likely platform architecture and what I would ask each one to quote.

Why I'd call them: If you want a polished new nonprofit website and a gala microsite/registration experience that your staff can maintain afterward, this is one of the more directly relevant matches I've found.

sage.agency

4. Bark Design — worth interviewing for mission-driven design

Bark is a Chicago design/web studio with a strong mission-driven/nonprofit orientation. I'd put them on the creative shortlist if the gala needs a particularly strong visual identity and storytelling experience.

Caveat: I'd specifically ask them to demonstrate recent gala registration/ticketing implementations, rather than assuming their nonprofit web expertise means they handle complex event transactions.

5. EMG Fundraising — best if the gala itself is the center of the project

EMG is not primarily a conventional web-design studio, but this may actually make it a better choice if your project is fundamentally “build and operate our annual fundraising gala online.” They are a Greater Giving consulting partner and explicitly provide event websites with registration, sponsorship and auction functionality, plus guest management, tables/meals, receipts, check-in and onsite event support. They document multiple nonprofit gala/event implementations. EMG Fundraising

emgfundraising.com

Who I'd contact first

If it were my project, I'd send an RFP/brief to four groups:

1. Sage Digital Agency — ask for the complete website + gala registration build.
2. Beth Interactive — ask for the fundraising/donor-experience approach.
3. Eventlify — ask how they'd architect the actual registration/ticketing/event-data layer.
4. EMG Fundraising — ask what they could accomplish using Greater Giving and whether they would own the event technology/operations.

That gives you four meaningfully different approaches rather than four generic web agencies.

There's also an important fifth option: don't build custom ticketing at all. For many nonprofit galas, the better architecture is a beautifully designed website with a proven fundraising/event platform underneath it. For example, Givecloud supports tickets, donations, sponsorships and event registration in a connected nonprofit system.

• Ticket Falcon - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Eventlify - 150 N Michigan Ave Unit 2800, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• EventSprout - 320 W Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Revel Global Events - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
• ESP Presents - 1714 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Smithbucklin - 330 N Wabash Ave #2000, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Fueled Events - 319 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• The Center For Association Resources, Inc. - 2800 W Higgins Rd #440, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169, United States
• Strategic Events Solutions, Inc. - 4416 S St Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• Association Management Online - 1005 Franklin Avenue West 3, Minneapolis, MN 55405, United States
• GSS Inc - 8 S Michigan Ave Ste 802, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• NAV & Associates - 1018 W Madison St Ste 9, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Center For Assocation Resources - 1901 N Roselle Rd, Ste 800, Schaumburg, IL 60195

Yes. I’d narrow this to firms that understand both nonprofit fundraising and the mechanics of gala registration/ticketing, rather than hiring a generic Chicago web-design shop and hoping they can bolt ticketing on afterward.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Auction & Event Solutions — strongest fit if the gala includes auctions, tables, sponsorships, or complex guest management.

They combine nonprofit fundraising-event technology with registration, ticketing, seating/table management, donations, bidding, checkout, and onsite registration. They can also create event-specific microsites/pages. This is the first firm I’d contact if the gala itself is the centerpiece of the project. EMG Fundraising

2. Ticket Falcon — strongest fit if you primarily need excellent ticketing + a branded event experience.

They were founded in Chicago and specifically serve nonprofits. Their platform supports tiered/VIP tickets, reserved seating and tables, guest management, donations, raffles/auctions, and onsite check-in. Ticket Falcon®
Best question for them: Can they build the registration/ticketing experience directly into your existing/new website rather than sending donors somewhere that feels third-party?

3. Eventlify — worth talking to for a fundraising-oriented event platform.

Their Chicago operation focuses heavily on fundraising events and provides branded event pages, registration, fundraising, and event-management functionality.

4. Cybernautic Web Design — good candidate if you want an actual website agency to own the broader website.

They specifically offer custom event-registration forms and nonprofit web work, so they're more relevant than a generic design studio.

5. Flamingo Agency — good nonprofit website specialist, but I'd pair them with a proven gala-ticketing platform.

They explicitly build Chicago nonprofit websites, including event pages, fundraising functionality and integrations with event-registration systems. Flamingo Agency

6. EventSprout — another Chicago ticketing option.

It handles online/onsite ticket sales, registration, reserved seating, scanning and custom event functionality. I'd consider it particularly if you want a straightforward ticketing layer rather than a large custom website engagement.

Who I'd contact first

If you're building a nonprofit gala website from scratch, I'd actually get proposals from three different types of partner:

• Auction & Event Solutions — ask them to propose the complete gala registration/fundraising architecture.
• Ticket Falcon — ask for their recommended ticketing/registration setup and how deeply it can integrate with your website/CRM.
• Flamingo Agency or Cybernautic — ask them to price the actual nonprofit website, UX, accessibility, content management and integration.

That lets you avoid a common mistake: paying a web agency to custom-build something that an established nonprofit event platform already does better.

One particularly interesting alternative

If your organization uses Salesforce, I'd also look at Soapbox Engage. Its nonprofit event system supports gala-style ticketing, digital tickets, auctions/mobile bidding and Salesforce/Dynamics synchronization. Soapbox Engage

And if your gala is relatively straightforward, Givecloud is worth evaluating: it lets nonprofits sell tickets directly on their site, accept donations during checkout, create multiple ticket types and collect custom registration information. Givecloud

What I'd put in the RFP

Don't just ask, "Can you build a gala website?" Ask each firm to demonstrate:

• Individual tickets and table purchases
• VIP / sponsor / complimentary tickets
• Guest names collected after a table purchase
• Meal choices and accessibility/dietary information
• Promo/discount codes
• Donations during ticket checkout
• Sponsorship packages
• Auction/raffle integration, if applicable
• Seating/table assignment
• Automated confirmation and reminder emails
• QR-code/mobile check-in
• Refunds and ticket transfers
• PCI-compliant payment processing
• Integration with your CRM/donor database
• Exportable attendee + revenue data
• Post-event donor reconciliation
• Mobile-friendly checkout
• WCAG/accessibility considerations
• Ability for your staff to change ticket types/prices without calling the developer

The CRM integration is the big one. You don't want your gala attendee list living in one system, donations in another, and donor history in a spreadsheet after the event.

If you tell me your nonprofit's current website platform (WordPress, Squarespace, etc.), CRM (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, Blackbaud, etc.), approximate guest count, and whether you have auctions/sponsorships, I can narrow this to the best 3 Chicago firms/platforms and what I would ask each one to quote.

• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• NAV & Associates - 1018 W Madison St Ste 9, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Chicago Association Management - 400 E Randolph St Apt 3115, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• .orgSource - 2033 N Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Big Buzz Idea Group - 4055 W Peterson Ave #105, Chicago, IL 60646, United States
• Smithbucklin - 330 N Wabash Ave #2000, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604

Yes. For a Chicago arts nonprofit building a membership portal, I’d approach firms with demonstrated experience in nonprofits/arts + membership systems + custom web applications, rather than a generic branding/web-design shop.

My shortlist:

1. Adage Technologies — strongest overall candidate

• Chicago-based, with substantial custom web/application development capability.
• Particularly compelling if the portal needs member accounts, payments, CRM integrations, event registration, permissions, or other custom functionality.
• Current industry evidence specifically cites Adage's work across arts/entertainment and nonprofits, including personalized member portals. Clutch
• I'd put them on the first-round RFP list.
• Neoteric Design — excellent for a mission-driven custom portal

• Chicago software/web-development firm with a strong emphasis on usability and durable, maintainable systems.
• Their history includes work for arts/education nonprofits such as Urban Gateways.
• A good choice if the portal is more than a login page—e.g., member profiles, directories, content, workflows, and integrations.
• Dialogue Theory — strongest UX/mission fit

• Chicago digital design/development studio focused on mission-driven organizations, nonprofits and complex stakeholder experiences.
• I'd particularly consider them if the portal needs to feel beautiful and culturally appropriate, rather than like an association-management database.
• Good fit for an arts organization where member experience and storytelling are as important as the underlying technology.
• Mightybytes — strong nonprofit/digital-product option

• Chicago agency focused specifically on mission-driven organizations, with web/product development, accessibility, QA, training and ongoing support.
• Particularly attractive if accessibility, sustainability and long-term maintainability matter to your board/funders.
• Thirdwave — good technical contender

• Chicago web-development firm with full-stack capabilities and experience spanning nonprofit and institutional clients.
• I'd consider them if you anticipate substantial integrations or custom backend functionality rather than simply configuring an off-the-shelf membership platform.
• Design In Chicago — good if you want portal + brand/site

• Their capabilities explicitly include portal/dashboard development, intranets, CRM integration and web applications.
• More appealing if the project encompasses a broader website/brand/digital redesign alongside the membership portal.

One firm I'd investigate particularly closely

Three Hive Design is worth adding even though it isn't as prominent in the general Chicago agency rankings. Its site explicitly says it works with artists and cultural institutions and builds membership portals, community directories and volunteer-management tools, with a particular focus on WordPress. Three Hive Design

That's unusually close to your use case, so I'd absolutely include them in the competitive process.

Don't overlook the "membership system" question

Before choosing an agency, I'd first decide whether you actually need a custom portal.

For example, Chicago Women in Philanthropy has a fairly sophisticated membership experience—accounts, event registration, invoices, directories, career-center access, etc.—while using membership software alongside its website. Chicago Women in Philanthropy Another Chicago nonprofit, Collaboraction, uses a separate online community ("The Co-Lab") for members. Collaboraction

An agency can potentially give you a much better result by integrating an existing membership/CRM platform than by building the whole thing from scratch.

My recommended RFP shortlist

If I were running your procurement, I'd invite 5 firms:

• Adage Technologies — technical/custom-platform benchmark
• Neoteric Design — custom product + nonprofit/arts
• Dialogue Theory — UX/design + mission
• Mightybytes — nonprofit + accessibility + digital product
• Three Hive Design — arts + membership/WordPress specialist

I'd also get a proposal from JCA if the portal is heavily tied to your CRM, fundraising, audience data or performing-arts operations. JCA is a Chicago nonprofit technology consultancy with 30+ years of nonprofit experience and explicitly works with performing-arts organizations. JCA

The key thing I'd ask each firm to price separately is (1) discovery/requirements, (2) UX/design, (3) portal development, (4) CRM/membership-platform integration, (5) data migration, (6) accessibility/security, and (7) 12 months of support. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me roughly how many members you have, your annual technology budget, what the portal needs to do (dues, member directory, event tickets, content, discounts, etc.), and what CRM/membership software you currently use, I can narrow this to 3 firms and give you a side-by-side assessment of likely fit, strengths, risks, and expected project cost.

An agency can potentially give you a much better result by integrating an existing membership/CRM platform than by building the whole thing from scratch.

My recommended RFP shortlist

If I were running your procurement, I'd invite 5 firms:

• Adage Technologies — technical/custom-platform benchmark
• Neoteric Design — custom product + nonprofit/arts
• Dialogue Theory — UX/design + mission
• Mightybytes — nonprofit + accessibility + digital product
• Three Hive Design — arts + membership/WordPress specialist

I'd also get a proposal from JCA if the portal is heavily tied to your CRM, fundraising, audience data or performing-arts operations. JCA is a Chicago nonprofit technology consultancy with 30+ years of nonprofit experience and explicitly works with performing-arts organizations.

• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, 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
• Neon One, LLC - 1449 S Michigan Ave STE 13860, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• Chicago Association Management - 400 E Randolph St Apt 3115, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Big Buzz Idea Group - 4055 W Peterson Ave #105, Chicago, IL 60646, United States
• NAV & Associates - 1018 W Madison St Ste 9, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Bostrom Corporation - 35 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Access Direct Nonprofit Marketing - 209 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130, United States
• Heller Consulting - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 622, Chicago, IL 60604
• Evolv - 505 N La Salle Dr Ste 250, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Smithbucklin - 330 N Wabash Ave #2000, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

Yes. For a Chicago arts nonprofit, I’d avoid treating this as a generic “website redesign.” A membership portal usually touches CRM/member records, payments, events, permissions, communications, accessibility, and the public-facing site. I’d shortlist firms with both arts/nonprofit experience and real portal/integration capability.

My shortlist

1. Adage Technologies — strongest overall candidate

Chicago-based and particularly interesting for a more complex portal. Adage has experience across arts, entertainment, music and nonprofits, including personalized/member portals and custom software. Current Chicago nonprofit rankings also specifically highlight its experience with personalized member portals. Clutch

Best if: you want a polished custom portal with substantial integrations and expect the system to grow.

2. Sandstorm Design — strong for a sophisticated arts/cultural organization

Sandstorm is Chicago-based and works with nonprofits and membership organizations, with capabilities spanning UX, web development, Drupal/WordPress and larger enterprise CMS implementations.

Best if: the portal needs to feel like an extension of a strong cultural/arts brand and accessibility/governance matter.

3. Dialogue Theory — strong design + UX option

This Chicago studio works specifically with mission-driven organizations and combines digital strategy, UX/UI and development.

Best if: member experience is the priority and you want the portal to be genuinely pleasant to use rather than just functional.

4. Three Hive Design — particularly worth an RFP

This is one of the most directly aligned matches I found: they explicitly build membership portals, community directories and volunteer-management platforms, and have an arts/cultural-institution practice. Three Hive Design

Best if: you're looking for a smaller, focused agency rather than a large enterprise shop.

5. Orbit Media Studios — excellent nonprofit/arts web partner

Orbit has an unusually strong Chicago nonprofit portfolio, including Goodman Theatre, Awakenings and other cultural/nonprofit organizations. Its work emphasizes UX, accessibility, content management and conversion-oriented nonprofit sites. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

Best if: you're considering rebuilding the public website at the same time as the portal.

6. View Marketing & Creative — good nonprofit + membership experience

They have a Chicago nonprofit case study where they built a Webflow site and styled/integrated membership portals to create a seamless transition between the public site and member dashboard. View Marketing

Best if: you want a modern, visually strong nonprofit site with an existing membership system underneath it rather than a completely bespoke application.

One important alternative: don't necessarily build the portal from scratch

If by “membership portal” you mean things like member login, profile, dues/renewal, member benefits, event registration, member directory and communications, I'd seriously investigate an existing nonprofit/arts membership platform before commissioning custom software.

For example, Neon One, LLC is Chicago-based and its Neon CRM ecosystem includes memberships, renewals, member portals, events, fundraising, communications and payments.

For a performing-arts organization specifically, UpStage CRM is also unusually relevant: its platform is designed around performing-arts organizations and includes memberships, patron portals, ticketing, fundraising, events and digital tickets. UpStageCRM

And Cuseum is worth looking at if you're a museum/cultural attraction or have a significant visitor-membership program; it offers branded supporter portals, member benefits, CRM integrations and digital membership cards. Cuseum

How I'd approach the selection

I'd invite 4 firms to respond rather than sending an RFP to 15:

• Adage — complex/custom solution
• Three Hive — focused membership/community platform
• Sandstorm — larger cultural/institutional digital build
• Orbit or View — nonprofit/arts-oriented experience and UX

Then have each respond to the same requirements, particularly:

• Member registration, login and password recovery
• Individual vs. organizational memberships
• Multiple membership tiers
• Online dues/payment and automatic renewal
• Member profiles and directory
• Event registration
• Member-only content/resources
• Discount/benefit management
• Staff/admin dashboard
• CRM integration and data migration
• Email/marketing integration
• SSO, if applicable
• Accessibility/WCAG compliance
• Mobile experience
• Analytics
• Data ownership/export
• Ongoing maintenance and hosting
• Estimated implementation cost and 3-year total cost

I'd also ask them to distinguish what they would build custom vs. what they'd configure from an existing platform. That's probably the single most important question for keeping an arts nonprofit from spending $200K+ recreating functionality that already exists.

One particularly useful precedent: Chicago Loop Alliance's recent website/CRM RFP called for exactly this kind of combined system—member portal, billing/payments, events, member listings, fundraising, CRM/AMS integration and migration—rather than treating the website as a standalone project. Loop Chicago

If you tell me (1) your approximate membership size, (2) whether you already have a CRM/AMS, (3) whether you need dues/payment processing, and (4) your rough budget, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms and rank them by fit, likely cost, arts experience, and technical capability, including contact/website links.

• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Thirdwave - 15 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• 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
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• MECCA Marketing Group Inc. | MMGWebsites - 6127 S University Ave Ste 07, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Ensemble Media - 4704 N Kenmore Ave C, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Greater Good Studio - 3759 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• Bark Design - 4330 N California Ave Store Front, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• What A Great Website - 50 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Doejo - 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

If your priority is redesigning an education nonprofit website, rather than just hiring a generic Chicago web shop, I’d narrow the field pretty aggressively.

My shortlist

1. EDUCO Web Design — best overall fit

• This would be my first call.
• Their work is unusually aligned with your situation: they explicitly specialize in education and nonprofits, and have 20+ years of nonprofit web/branding experience. Educo Web Design Educo Web Design
• They have worked with organizations including LISC Chicago, Women Employed, BUILD Chicago, and education organizations. Educo Web Design
• Their nonprofit work includes strategy, content, UX, donations, and ongoing redesigns—not just making the site prettier. Their Housing Forward project, for example, reportedly produced a 25% increase in online donations. Educo Web Design
• Downside: they're in Oak Park, not River North/downtown. For me, that's irrelevant given the fit.
• Thirdwave — best River North option

• If being physically downtown/River North matters, I'd talk to Thirdwave.
• They're at 15 W Hubbard St in River North and do full-stack web development, digital communications, and content-heavy sites.
• Their experience includes nonprofit and education-related organizations, and they're a better choice if the redesign involves complex integrations, databases, membership systems, or a sophisticated CMS.
• I'd rank them behind EDUCO for a straightforward education-nonprofit redesign, but potentially ahead of EDUCO if your site is technically complicated.
• Neoteric Design — best downtown/mission-driven technical option

• They're in the Loop at 29 E Madison St.
• They've worked with Chicago nonprofits and education/arts organizations, including Friends of the Chicago River and Urban Gateways.
• I'd consider them if you want something more custom and technically sophisticated than a typical WordPress redesign.
• Windy City Web Solutions — best lower-cost/practical option

• They're at 801 S Wells St, just south of downtown.
• Their specialty is WordPress, with explicit experience in nonprofits and schools.
• Clutch's current Chicago nonprofit rankings also show particularly strong feedback around nonprofit/education work and website overhauls. Clutch
• I'd talk to them if you're looking for a good redesign without turning it into a $75k+ agency engagement.

One more I'd seriously consider

Dialogue Theory is worth an RFP if your nonprofit has a complicated mission/audience problem.

They're Chicago-based and specifically work with mission-driven organizations and nonprofits, with strengths in research, UX, strategy, and digital design. Clutch's current profile specifically highlights their nonprofit work and cites a project for Prevent Child Abuse America. Clutch

They're not in River North—they're on S. Halsted—but I'd prioritize fit over the neighborhood.

Who I'd actually call

If this were my website, I'd probably send the same brief to these four:

I'd also look at Orbit Media Studios if you're willing to go beyond your geographic constraint. They're particularly compelling for nonprofit websites because they've worked with organizations such as the Erikson Institute's Early Math Collaborative and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and they emphasize information architecture, content strategy, SEO, and measurable outcomes. Orbit Media Studios

My strongest recommendation: start with EDUCO. The combination of education + nonprofit experience is much more important here than having an office in River North.

If you tell me the name of your education nonprofit and roughly what you're trying to spend ($10–25k, $25–50k, $50k+, etc.), I can do a much deeper comparison of 5–7 Chicago agencies, including their relevant nonprofit/education projects, likely price tier, CMS expertise, accessibility/SEO capabilities, and which one I'd pick for you.

• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Sandbox Studio, Chicago - 1608 W Cornelia Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, 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
• Neoteric Design - 29 E Madison St, Ste 450, Chicago, IL 60602
• Mabbly - 640 N La Salle Dr #540, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• C E Anderson & Associates - 175 N Franklin St Unit 410, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Promet Source - 4809 N Ravenswood Ave #126, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• LimeRed Studio, Inc. - 4611 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Ensemble Media - 4704 N Kenmore Ave C, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Concentric Design - 1212 N Ashland Ave, Fl 2, Chicago, IL 60622

Yes. I’d narrow this down quite a bit rather than hiring a generic Chicago web-design shop. For an education nonprofit, you want an agency that understands mission-driven storytelling, multiple audiences, accessibility, content-heavy sites, and getting people to take action—not just making the homepage look nicer.

Based on current Chicago firms and their nonprofit/education portfolios, these would be my shortlist:

My top 5

1. Orbit Media Studios — my first call

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

Orbit is probably the strongest all-around choice if you want a serious redesign tied to measurable outcomes.

They specifically showcase nonprofit work, including Off the Street Club, where they redesigned the site around SEO, navigation, donor/volunteer conversion and accessibility; the organization saw a 15% increase in its donation key-event rate. They also list recent work with the Erikson Institute's Early Math Collaborative, which is especially relevant to education. Orbit Media Studios

Why I'd call them: strategy + UX + content + SEO + development, rather than simply "web design."

Best for: a substantial redesign where you want the new site to increase awareness, engagement, donations, applications, program participation, etc.

Downside: likely one of the more expensive options.

2. EDUCO Web Design — best nonprofit specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 708-613-0386)

If your organization is a nonprofit and you want someone who really understands that world, EDUCO deserves a meeting.

They explicitly specialize in nonprofit branding and web design and say they've worked with organizations including LISC Chicago, Women Employed, Housing Forward and BUILD Chicago. They describe having 20+ years of nonprofit web/branding experience. Educo Web Design

Clutch also currently shows strong Chicago-area feedback for EDUCO on website redesigns, including educational and nonprofit-related work. Clutch Clutch

Best for: an organization that needs both brand/messaging and website redesign, not just development.

Location caveat: they're in Oak Park rather than River North/Loop, but I'd absolutely make the short drive for the right agency.

3. Sandstorm Design — best sophisticated UX/accessibility option

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

This is the one I'd investigate if the website has complicated audiences, lots of content, accessibility requirements, or a complicated user journey.

Sandstorm focuses heavily on UX, digital experience, accessibility and research, and specifically works with nonprofits, higher education and associations. Clutch

Best for: an education nonprofit with a complex site where "make it prettier" isn't enough—you need to rethink the information architecture and user experience.

Location: Ravenswood, not downtown.

4. Sandbox Studio, Chicago — particularly interesting for education

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-525-9258)

Sandbox caught my attention because its work is particularly oriented toward higher education, scientific research and complex educational subject matter.

If your nonprofit has an academic/research/education feel—or needs to communicate complicated information to students, educators, researchers, funders and the general public—I'd put them on the interview list.

Best for: education/research organizations that care about sophisticated communication design.

5. Windy City Web Solutions — best smaller/budget-conscious option

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

If you're a smaller nonprofit and don't have a $75k–$150k+ website budget, I'd talk to Windy City.

They're in the South Loop and specifically build WordPress sites for nonprofits and schools, with an emphasis on accessibility, performance and making the site easy for staff to maintain. Windy City Web Solutions

Clutch's current Chicago nonprofit rankings also show positive feedback specifically around nonprofit/education website work. Clutch

Best for: a smaller organization wanting a good strategic WordPress redesign without hiring a giant agency.

One more I'd consider

Dialogue Theory is worth a look if your organization has a social-impact/civic mission and needs sophisticated digital strategy and UX. They're a Chicago studio specifically focused on mission-driven organizations, nonprofits and civic agencies.

And if being physically downtown is important, Neoteric Design at 29 E. Madison is interesting, particularly for organizations with technically complex sites or web applications.

Who I'd actually contact

If this were my education nonprofit, I'd probably issue an RFP/interview to these four:

1. Orbit Media — strongest overall / measurable website performance
2. EDUCO — strongest nonprofit-specific fit
3. Sandstorm — strongest UX/accessibility/complex-site option
4. Sandbox Studio — strongest education/research-oriented creative option

Then I'd use Windy City as the smaller-budget comparison.

I would not pick based primarily on who has the prettiest portfolio. For an education nonprofit, I'd make each agency answer these five questions:

• Show me 2–3 nonprofit or education sites you personally designed, and tell me what changed after launch.
• How would you restructure our information architecture before designing anything?
• How will you make the site accessible to WCAG standards?
• How will you determine whether the redesign is successful—donations, applications, program registrations, newsletter signups, engagement, SEO, etc.?
• What will our staff be able to change ourselves after launch, and what will require you?

The answer to those questions will tell you much more than the portfolio.

If you tell me the name of your education nonprofit and roughly your website budget (e.g. <$25k, $25–50k, $50–100k, $100k+), I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually hire and compare their relevant education/nonprofit projects, likely cost, location, strengths, weaknesses, and who I'd contact first.

3. Sandstorm Design — best sophisticated UX/accessibility option

This is the one I'd investigate if the website has complicated audiences, lots of content, accessibility requirements, or a complicated user journey.

Sandstorm focuses heavily on UX, digital experience, accessibility and research, and specifically works with nonprofits, higher education and associations. Clutch

Best for: an education nonprofit with a complex site where "make it prettier" isn't enough—you need to rethink the information architecture and user experience.

Location: Ravenswood, not downtown.

4. Sandbox Studio, Chicago — particularly interesting for education

Sandbox caught my attention because its work is particularly oriented toward higher education, scientific research and complex educational subject matter.

If your nonprofit has an academic/research/education feel—or needs to communicate complicated information to students, educators, researchers, funders and the general public—I'd put them on the interview list.

Best for: education/research organizations that care about sophisticated communication design.

5. Windy City Web Solutions — best smaller/budget-conscious option

If you're a smaller nonprofit and don't have a $75k–$150k+ website budget, I'd talk to Windy City.

They're in the South Loop and specifically build WordPress sites for nonprofits and schools, with an emphasis on accessibility, performance and making the site easy for staff to maintain. Windy City Web Solutions

Clutch's current Chicago nonprofit rankings also show positive feedback specifically around nonprofit/education website work. Clutch

Best for: a smaller organization wanting a good strategic WordPress redesign without hiring a giant agency.

One more I'd consider

Dialogue Theory is worth a look if your organization has a social-impact/civic mission and needs sophisticated digital strategy and UX. They're a Chicago studio specifically focused on mission-driven organizations, nonprofits and civic agencies.

And if being physically downtown is important, Neoteric Design at 29 E. Madison is interesting, particularly for organizations with technically complex sites or web applications.

Who I'd actually contact

If this were my education nonprofit, I'd probably issue an RFP/interview to these four:

• The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Be Found Online (BFO) - 2843 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 50 S Main St Suit 200, Naperville, IL 60540, United States
• Project World Impact - 3805 E Main St Suite F, St. Charles, IL 60174
• SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Digital Third Coast - 2540 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Dabaran - 332 S Michigan Ave Lower 274, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Lift Digital Marketing - 332 S Michigan Ave #9072, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Purpose Brand - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• RedShark SEO - 65 W Erie St #1901, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

If the goal is specifically helping Chicago residents discover nonprofit programs/services through Google, I’d prioritize agencies with both nonprofit experience and strong local SEO—not just general SEO.

My shortlist

1. The Loop Marketing Inc — best overall Chicago fit

• Chicago-based and explicitly serves nonprofits.
• Offers advanced SEO plus local SEO, keyword research, competitor analysis, directory visibility, and ongoing optimization.
• Good fit if you want a hands-on agency that can work on the website as well as search.
• My pick if you want a Chicago agency and a relatively practical, SMB/midsize-oriented engagement.
• Be Found Online (BFO) — strongest evidence for nonprofit/association SEO

• Chicago-based with a particularly relevant case study: BFO reports that AMA Chicago increased organic traffic 24%, page-one keyword rankings 60%, and sessions to a key events page 147%. Clutch
• Offers technical SEO, local SEO/listings, content and analytics.
• I'd put them at the top if program/event discovery is the primary KPI.
• Statement — best mission-driven communications partner

• Oak Park/Chicago-area agency focused specifically on nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.
• Their work includes SEO/keyword strategy, content strategy, information architecture and SEO optimization; they cite nonprofit work involving substantial content and SEO optimization.
• Better choice if your SEO problem is partly a messaging, content architecture, or website UX problem.
• Lipman-Hearne — strongest nonprofit-specialist option

• Long-established Chicago agency focused on higher education, nonprofits and philanthropy.
• SEO sits within a much broader communications/digital practice.
• I'd consider them if you need SEO + content + brand/communications + a larger strategic engagement, rather than a narrowly focused local-SEO shop.
• Paul Gregory Media — good smaller-agency alternative

• Naperville-based and explicitly experienced with nonprofits/mission-based organizations.
• SEO, content, Google Ads, analytics and website work are all available.
• Worth including if you value a smaller, more integrated team.

One wildcard I'd absolutely contact

pilotdigital.com is unusually compelling for a nonprofit because of its Do Good By program: it provides six months of free SEO/PPC services to selected nonprofits, and Pilot is currently accepting 2026 applications. Pilot Digital

More importantly, there's actual Chicago nonprofit evidence: Pilot reports that its work with Rainbows Community Education produced a 277% year-over-year increase in organic new users, with organic key events subsequently up nearly 127%. Pilot Digital

If you're eligible, I'd apply before paying another agency.

Who I'd hire

My ranking for your particular objective would be:

One important caveat: I would not hire an agency simply because it promises higher rankings. For a nonprofit, I'd make the agency commit to measuring program discovery: searches for individual services/programs, Google Business Profile/Maps visibility where applicable, organic entrances to program pages, calls/forms, program registrations, and ultimately qualified inquiries—not just total organic traffic.

If you tell me what kind of nonprofit/programs you run (e.g., youth services, housing, food assistance, mental health, workforce, arts) and roughly what you can spend per month, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually interview and give you the questions I'd use to choose between them.

• Pilot Digital Marketing - 4753 N Broadway Ste T110, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Lipman-Hearne - 200 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
• The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 200 E 5th Ave, Ste 105, Naperville, IL 60563
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• That's So Creative, LLC - 3636 S Iron St Ste C-350, Chicago, IL 60609, United States
• Part Three Advertising and Marketing - 1214 N LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610
• Statement - 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Advocate Creative - 320 N Damen Ave d301, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Paul Gregory Media - 50 S Main St Suit 200, Naperville, IL 60540, United States
• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• Digital Content Strategy - 290 Cedar Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, United States
• Lift Digital Marketing - 332 S Michigan Ave #9072, Chicago, IL 60604, United States

If your goal is helping Chicago residents actually discover nonprofit programs—e.g. “food assistance near me,” “free after-school programs Chicago,” “housing assistance West Side,” etc.—I’d prioritize agencies with demonstrated nonprofit work and strong local/search execution, rather than a generic Chicago SEO shop.

My shortlist

1. Pilot Digital Marketing — my first call

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-809-5002)

Pilot is probably the best overall fit if you want SEO + local search + analytics + Google Ads/Grants under one roof.

They have unusually relevant nonprofit evidence: their work with Rainbows for All Children produced a 277% increase in organic traffic year-over-year, while key events from organic traffic rose almost 127%. They also built the organization's tracking infrastructure and helped reactivate its Google Ad Grant. Pilot Digital Pilot Digital

Why I'd pick them: They seem oriented toward measurable program discovery rather than simply "getting rankings."

2. SEO Design Chicago — best pure SEO/local-search contender

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-677-5747)

This is the one I'd put head-to-head against Pilot if SEO is the centerpiece.

They publish multiple nonprofit SEO case studies, including one where organic traffic increased 317% in six months, new inquiries rose 155%, and the organization began appearing in multiple local searches. SEO Design Chicago They also report a separate nonprofit engagement with a 373% increase in organic search results. SEO Design Chicago

Why I'd consider them: Stronger evidence than most agencies that they've actually dealt with nonprofit SEO problems, content creation and local visibility.

3. Lipman-Hearne — best if you need strategy + communications + SEO

Directions[Call](tel:+13123568000)

This is the more sophisticated choice if your SEO problem is really an information architecture/content strategy problem.

They're deeply focused on mission-driven organizations and offer website development, content strategy and SEO alongside broader nonprofit communications. Clutch

Caveat: I wouldn't choose them solely for local SEO. I'd choose them if you need to rethink how programs, audiences, stories and services are organized across the entire digital experience.

4. The Loop Marketing Inc — good smaller-agency option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-569-9449)

They specifically serve nonprofits and offer advanced/local SEO, keyword research, competitor analysis, on/off-page work and directory visibility.

I'd interview them if you're a smaller organization that wants a more hands-on agency relationship rather than a large marketing operation.

5. Paul Gregory Media — worth a conversation for suburban/metro-area programs

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+16306862600)

They're in Naperville and combine SEO, content, listings, web development and broader nonprofit marketing. They're potentially attractive if your service footprint extends beyond Chicago proper into the suburbs.

Who I'd hire

I'd start with Pilot and SEO Design Chicago.

I'd give them the same brief and make them compete on a very specific outcome:

"We want more people who need our programs to find the correct program/service page through Google and Google Maps, and then successfully contact, register or apply."

That's much better than asking an agency to "improve our SEO."

I'd then ask both agencies to show you:

• Which program-level searches they think you should win.
• How they'd optimize Google Business Profile/local listings, if applicable.
• How they'd structure pages for program + neighborhood/service area searches.
• How they'd handle people searching for the problem rather than your organization's name.
• How they'd measure program discovery → inquiry/application/registration, not just organic traffic.
• Three nonprofit clients where they can show actual before/after search or conversion data.
• Exactly what their team would do in the first 90 days.

One particularly important point: don't let an agency make "ranking #1 for our organization's name" a success metric. People already searching your name aren't the people you're trying to reach. The valuable searches are things like "free tutoring Chicago," "domestic violence help near me," "food pantry South Side," etc., depending on your mission.

One wildcard

If you're willing to consider a non-Chicago specialist, TheProjectSEO is interesting because its entire nonprofit offering is explicitly built around program/cause discovery, beneficiary journeys and both Google and AI search. TheProjectSEO That's worth benchmarking against the Chicago agencies, particularly if ChatGPT/AI search discovery is part of your strategy.

Bottom line: Pilot first, SEO Design Chicago second. I'd bring in Lipman-Hearne instead if the underlying problem is bigger than SEO—e.g. your program architecture, messaging and website all need to be rebuilt.

If you tell me what kind of nonprofit/programs you run, your approximate annual marketing budget, and whether you serve all of Chicago or specific neighborhoods, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually put on an RFP and tell you what I'd expect each one to charge.

They're in Naperville and combine SEO, content, listings, web development and broader nonprofit marketing. They're potentially attractive if your service footprint extends beyond Chicago proper into the suburbs.

Who I'd hire

I'd start with Pilot and SEO Design Chicago.

I'd give them the same brief and make them compete on a very specific outcome:

"We want more people who need our programs to find the correct program/service page through Google and Google Maps, and then successfully contact, register or apply."

That's much better than asking an agency to "improve our SEO."

I'd then ask both agencies to show you:

• Which program-level searches they think you should win.
• How they'd optimize Google Business Profile/local listings, if applicable.
• How they'd structure pages for program + neighborhood/service area searches.
• How they'd handle people searching for the problem rather than your organization's name.
• How they'd measure program discovery → inquiry/application/registration, not just organic traffic.
• Three nonprofit clients where they can show actual before/after search or conversion data.
• Exactly what their team would do in the first 90 days.

One particularly important point: don't let an agency make "ranking #1 for our organization's name" a success metric. People already searching your name aren't the people you're trying to reach. The valuable searches are things like "free tutoring Chicago," "domestic violence help near me," "food pantry South Side," etc., depending on your mission.

One wildcard

• Mightybytes - 4001 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 404, Chicago, IL 60613
• Sandstorm Design - 4422 N Ravenswood Ave #50, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Dialogue Theory - 1932 S Halsted St #509, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• LCM Architects - 200 N LaSalle St #2700, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Accessibilities - 8671 Wilshire Blvd #700, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, United States
• Clique Studios - 20 N Wacker Dr, Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606
• Accessible360 - 4600 W 77th St #295, Edina, MN 55435, United States
• Glantz Design - 1881 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States
• WeCo Accessibility Services - 300 1/2 S Main St, Stillwater, MN 55082
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Alphazeta - 325 W Huron St, Ste 506, Chicago, IL 60654
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Inclusive Web - Digital Accessibility Compliance Solution - 368 9th Ave 6th floor, New York, NY 10001, United States

For a Chicago nonprofit redesign where accessibility is a core requirement, I’d put these firms at the top of the shortlist:

1. Mightybytes — my first call. They’re Chicago-based, explicitly work with mission-driven organizations, and offer accessibility audits, remediation, training, and manual testing with assistive-technology users. They say their deliverables target WCAG 2.2 AA by default. Mightybytes
2. Sandstorm Design — strong alternative. Chicago-based and particularly interesting if you need UX research, redesign, and accessibility handled together. Their services include accessibility audits, remediation, and training, and they work with nonprofits and other purpose-driven organizations.
3. Dialogue Theory — worth an RFP invitation. They specialize in mission-driven/nonprofit and civic organizations, with digital strategy, UX/UI, and web development. Accessibility and intuitive functionality are specifically highlighted in their work.
4. Firebelly Design — good mission/brand option. Their Chicago practice combines web strategy, UX, development, and accessibility compliance; they also have a long-running nonprofit-focused pro-bono program.

One important caveat about “ADA compliance”

I wouldn't hire a firm merely because it promises an “ADA-compliant website.” ADA compliance is a legal question, while WCAG provides the technical accessibility criteria used to evaluate websites. A good procurement requirement is WCAG 2.2 AA, with automated and manual testing, rather than an accessibility widget or scanner alone. The Chicago Lighthouse, for example, offers independent accessibility consulting, audits, WCAG/508 compliance work, and certification services. The Chicago Lighthouse

For your RFP, I'd require the winning firm to provide:

• A pre-redesign accessibility audit with findings mapped to WCAG success criteria.
• Manual keyboard and screen-reader testing, not just automated scans.
• Testing of your donation, registration, application, and contact forms.
• Accessibility built into wireframes/design—not bolted on at launch.
• A post-launch audit and remediation cycle.
• Accessibility testing of PDFs and third-party embeds where they're important to your services.
• Documentation of what was tested, what remains unresolved, and how your staff should maintain accessibility.
• Ideally, testing involving people with disabilities/assistive-technology users.

If you're choosing one firm to interview first, I'd start with Mightybytes. If the project is large enough to justify independent validation, I'd seriously consider having The Chicago Lighthouse perform the final accessibility audit separately from the redesign firm. That gives your board a much stronger assurance than asking the vendor to grade its own work.

If you'd like, I can also compare 5–7 Chicago firms side-by-side on nonprofit experience, accessibility credentials, likely budget, and audit methodology and give you an RFP shortlist.

If the goal is a nonprofit redesign where accessibility is part of the build—not an after-the-fact overlay—I’d shortlist these Chicago firms:

1. Mightybytes — my first call. They’re Chicago-based and specifically work with mission-driven organizations. Their accessibility practice includes audits, remediation, training, and manual testing with people who use assistive technology. Their stated baseline is WCAG 2.2 AA. chicagolighthouse.org
2. Sandstorm Design — strong alternative. Chicago-based, purpose-driven work, with accessibility audits, remediation, and training integrated into its digital/UX work.
3. Dialogue Theory — worth an RFP invite. Particularly interesting if your nonprofit has complex programs, civic/public-interest work, or substantial UX/content challenges.
4. Firebelly Design — good design-forward option. Their scope includes UX, information architecture, accessibility compliance, development, and CMS integration; they also have a long-running nonprofit-focused Grant for Good program.

One important distinction

I wouldn't ask a firm simply to make the site “ADA compliant.” Ask for a documented WCAG 2.2 AA process, because “ADA compliance” by itself isn't a sufficiently precise technical specification. For example, require:

• Automated and manual accessibility testing
• Keyboard-only testing
• Screen-reader testing (e.g. NVDA/VoiceOver)
• Testing of donation, registration, application, and contact forms
• Accessibility review during wireframes/design, not just after launch
• Code-level remediation rather than an accessibility overlay
• A post-launch audit and remediation report
• An accessibility statement and process for handling future issues
• Training for whoever will maintain your CMS

For comparison, The Chicago Lighthouse is also a particularly useful independent accessibility specialist: it offers accessibility certification, consulting, audit services, WCAG/508 compliance work, and technology assistance. chicagolighthouse.org

My preferred setup: hire a strong nonprofit web firm such as Mightybytes to redesign/build, but consider having an independent accessibility specialist audit the finished site. That gives your board much stronger evidence than having the same vendor declare its own work compliant.

One caveat: no web firm can honestly guarantee “ADA compliance” or guarantee immunity from a lawsuit. If your nonprofit has significant legal exposure, federal funding, or a prior accessibility complaint, have accessibility counsel review the compliance strategy as well.

Mightybytes
Sandstorm Design

• Mightybytes, Inc. - 1725 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Windy City Web Solutions - 801 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Glantz Design - 1881 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States
• GiveCentral - 2 North Riverside Plz, Ste 1350, Chicago, IL 60606
• CharityGiving - 118 N Clinton St Ste 301, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• iDonate - 6111 W Plano Pkwy Ste 2700, Plano, TX 75093, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• cre8 - Chicago, IL 60607
• EDUCO Web Design - 128 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States
• Plego Technologies - 8 W Monroe St APT 424, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Eventlify - 150 N Michigan Ave Unit 2800, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Philanthropy500 - 118 N Clinton St Ste 301, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Wired Impact - 401 Pine St, St. Louis, MO 63102, United States
• LIMIT8 | Nonprofit Web Design Experts - 350 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10025, United States

Yes. For a nonprofit donation project, I’d prioritize security architecture and payment compliance over simply finding a good web-design shop. The safest pattern is usually to have the agency build the donation experience while a PCI-compliant payment provider handles the actual card data, rather than having your WordPress/database ever touch raw card numbers. Cornershop Creative, for example, explicitly describes using off-site/tokenized PCI-compliant donation processing so sensitive card data isn't stored in WordPress. Cornershop Creative

My Chicago shortlist

• Mightybytes, Inc. — My first call for a sophisticated mission-driven organization. Chicago-based and focused specifically on purpose-driven organizations, with strategy, UX/design, web development, and ongoing optimization. Their breadth makes them particularly attractive if the donation page is part of a larger digital transformation rather than a standalone form.
• Windy City Web Solutions — Best value/local option. They specifically build WordPress sites for Chicago nonprofits and describe integrating online donations, accessibility, security updates, hosting, and backups. Their published website pricing starts around $2,500, with higher tiers for more complex builds. Windy City Web Solutions
• Glantz Design — Good choice if donor experience/branding is important. Their work includes custom WordPress, donation flows, analytics, testing, hosting and maintenance, and they advertise nonprofit discounts. They're in Evanston rather than Chicago proper.
• GiveCentral — Consider this if you need a fundraising platform more than a custom web agency. It's Chicago-based and focused on nonprofit/church giving, including online donation pages, recurring gifts and payment processing.
• CharityGiving — Worth evaluating as a donation-platform alternative. Its Chicago operation focuses on online fundraising/donation management, including donation pages and recurring giving, and its published materials reference PCI/SSL security. I'd ask for current compliance documentation before making it your processor.

Who I'd hire

If your organization is mid-sized or larger, I'd start with Mightybytes. They look like the strongest fit when you need a serious nonprofit digital partner rather than someone simply installing a donation plugin.

If you're a smaller nonprofit and want a cost-conscious Chicago team, I'd start with Windy City Web Solutions. Their nonprofit focus and explicit security/maintenance offering make them a particularly practical choice.

I would not make "PCI-compliant website" the only requirement in your RFP. PCI DSS applies to the payment environment, and the architecture determines how much of that burden falls on your organization. For example, Stripe offers nonprofit donation forms and recurring-giving functionality, while dedicated nonprofit platforms such as Funraise advertise PCI Level 1 certification. Stripe Funraise

What I'd put in the RFP

Require every bidder to answer these specifically:

1. Who is the payment processor? Stripe, PayPal, Funraise, GiveCentral, etc.
2. Will our website ever receive, transmit, or store raw card numbers? Ideally, no.
3. Who is responsible for PCI DSS compliance—the nonprofit, agency, processor, or some combination?
4. Can you provide the processor's current PCI Attestation of Compliance (AOC)?
5. How are donation forms protected against web attacks, bot abuse and payment fraud?
6. Do you provide MFA, least-privilege admin accounts, vulnerability scanning, patching, backups and incident response?
7. What donor information is stored in WordPress/CMS versus the payment processor/CRM?
8. Can you meet WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility requirements?
9. How will recurring donations, refunds, chargebacks, receipts and tax acknowledgments work?
10. Who owns the code, domain, hosting account, analytics, CRM and payment accounts after launch?

For comparison, a strong security model looks like PCI-compliant processor + tokenized/hosted payment collection + no card data in your CMS + properly secured website. Giveeffect, for example, describes a model where card information isn't stored on its servers and payments go through PCI Level 1 payment partners. Giveffect

My suggested process: get proposals from Mightybytes, Windy City Web Solutions, and Glantz Design, and separately price a GiveCentral/Stripe/Funraise-based donation architecture. That will tell you whether you actually need a custom donation system—or whether you can get a more secure and economical result by letting a specialized payment platform handle the sensitive part.

If you tell me roughly your annual online donation volume, current website/CRM (e.g. WordPress + Salesforce), and budget, I can narrow this to one recommended firm and one recommended PCI architecture.

• Beth Interactive - 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste B, Chicago, IL 60640
• CharityGiving - 118 N Clinton St Ste 301, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Glantz Design - 1881 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States
• Adage Technologies - 10 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Nonprofit Megaphone - 1230 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Beth Interactive Inc. - 4541 N Ravenswood Ave #303, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• GiveCentral - 2 North Riverside Plz, Ste 1350, Chicago, IL 60606
• Doing Good Digital - 312 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
• Team Merchant - 2319 W Chicago Ave Ste B, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Infinite Giving - 1525 E 53rd St, Ste 424, Chicago, IL 60615
• CauseHouse - 1054 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
• Fundraise Up - 219 36th St 4th floor, A100, Brooklyn, NY 11232, United States
• iDonate - 6111 W Plano Pkwy Ste 2700, Plano, TX 75093, United States
• Alphazeta - 325 W Huron St, Ste 506, Chicago, IL 60654

Yes. For a nonprofit, I’d avoid having a general web agency build its own credit-card payment handling. The safer architecture is for the agency to build the donation experience while a PCI-compliant payment processor handles card data. That can dramatically reduce your PCI scope and security burden.

Based on current Chicago-area options, I’d shortlist these:

Who I'd hire

For most nonprofits, my first call would be Beth Interactive, but I would pair them with an established PCI-compliant donation platform rather than ask them—or any agency—to store/process card numbers themselves. Their Chicago operation is specifically focused on philanthropy and donor engagement, including analysis of the donor journey from the giving page through completion and stewardship.

If your requirement is “build us a secure donation page and we don't need a major website/fundraising strategy project,” I'd look harder at CharityGiving or a dedicated fundraising platform. Current alternatives include Givecloud, which states that its platform is SOC 2 Type II and PCI-DSS compliant, and Funraise, which states that it is a PCI Level 1 certified service provider. Givecloud Funraise

For a custom website, Glantz Design is particularly interesting because its listed capabilities include donation flows, custom WordPress/HTML development, hosting, maintenance and testing. Flamingo Agency

What I would put in the RFP

Don't simply ask vendors, “Are you PCI compliant?” Ask:

• Who actually processes the card transaction?
• Does our website ever receive, transmit, or store full card numbers?
• What PCI DSS responsibility remains with our nonprofit?
• Can you provide the payment processor's current PCI Attestation of Compliance (AOC)?
• Is the donation form hosted/served by the PCI-compliant processor or merely embedded in our site?
• Do you support tokenized recurring payments?
• How are refunds, chargebacks and failed recurring payments handled?
• What encryption is used in transit and at rest?
• Do you perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?
• Who patches WordPress/plugins/server infrastructure?
• What happens if the agency relationship ends—do we own the site, code and donor data?
• Can you integrate with our CRM/accounting system without exposing payment credentials?
• What is your incident-response process and notification SLA?

The key distinction is that “PCI-compliant website” isn't enough. You want an architecture where your organization and web server have as little exposure to payment-card data as practical.

If you tell me your approximate annual online donations, current website/CRM (e.g. WordPress + Salesforce/Blackbaud), and whether you need just the donation page or a complete website rebuild, I can narrow this to 2–3 vendors and tell you exactly which one I'd choose and why.

If your requirement is “build us a secure donation page and we don't need a major website/fundraising strategy project,” I'd look harder at CharityGiving or a dedicated fundraising platform. Current alternatives include Givecloud, which states that its platform is SOC 2 Type II and PCI-DSS compliant, and Funraise, which states that it is a PCI Level 1 certified service provider. Givecloud Funraise

For a custom website, Glantz Design is particularly interesting because its listed capabilities include donation flows, custom WordPress/HTML development, hosting, maintenance and testing. Flamingo Agency

What I would put in the RFP

Don't simply ask vendors, “Are you PCI compliant?” Ask:

• Who actually processes the card transaction?
• Does our website ever receive, transmit, or store full card numbers?
• What PCI DSS responsibility remains with our nonprofit?
• Can you provide the payment processor's current PCI Attestation of Compliance (AOC)?
• Is the donation form hosted/served by the PCI-compliant processor or merely embedded in our site?
• Do you support tokenized recurring payments?
• How are refunds, chargebacks and failed recurring payments handled?
• What encryption is used in transit and at rest?
• Do you perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?
• Who patches WordPress/plugins/server infrastructure?
• What happens if the agency relationship ends—do we own the site, code and donor data?
• Can you integrate with our CRM/accounting system without exposing payment credentials?
• What is your incident-response process and notification SLA?

The key distinction is that “PCI-compliant website” isn't enough. You want an architecture where your organization and web server have as little exposure to payment-card data as practical.

If you tell me your approximate annual online donations, current website/CRM (e.g. WordPress + Salesforce/Blackbaud), and whether you need just the donation page or a complete website rebuild, I can narrow this to 2–3 vendors and tell you exactly which one I'd choose and why.