According to our lovely statistics for online fundraising for nonprofits, having a website is crucial for attracting new and recurring donors!
But if you’re re-working your site, or if you’re creating a brand new nonprofit website altogether, you may be wondering… what pages do you need? What’s necessary to include?
Well, you’re in luck, friend!
Because we’re answering the question, “what should a nonprofit website include,” with 7 essential pages to boost your donations. Plus, we’re sharing 3 optional pages your nonprofit can benefit from!
How Many Pages Should a Nonprofit Website Have?
Truth be told, your nonprofit website can have as many pages as it wants! But there are a few that are mandatory according to 501c3 registrations. And there are several that are essential for your donors.
All in all, when it comes to the question, “what should a nonprofit website include,” there are 7 pages we suggest always having.
But, in case you don’t want to stop there, we’ve added 3 nonprofit website pages that are optional!
What Are the 501c3 Website Requirements?
Did you know that to keep your 501c3 registration, your nonprofit website needs to include certain pages?
Well, now you do!
What you’ll find is these pages are non-negotiable. You must include these for your organization to maintain its filing status.
Now, that being said, these pages don’t have to be front and center on your site. That may not look the most aesthetically pleasing when it comes to the best practices for nonprofit website design!
But they do have to be somewhere on your site. And they shouldn’t be so hidden that no one will ever find them. We’ve listed suggestions for each page on how to include them on your nonprofit website down below.
So! Here are the 3 501c3 website requirements for your nonprofit organization:
501c3 Website Requirement #1: Privacy Policy
By law, your nonprofit website needs to include a privacy policy page. That goes for any website for it to be “legal.”
But for nonprofits, if you’re registered as a 501c3 you need to include it to maintain your status.
Your nonprofit website privacy policy usually includes information about the kind of data your website collects for analytical and marketing purposes. It also includes information about how you keep your data from users and viewers private.
Oh, by the way, if you need more about how to keep your donors’ private information, well, private, then check out our guide on cybersecurity for nonprofits!
For this page, we recommend linking to it at the very bottom of your nonprofit website. It should sit right in the footer.
501c3 Website Requirement #2: Annual Reports
As part of your 501c3 registration status, you have to be transparent about where your funds are allocated within your mission. Not to mention, it’s a great way to show your donors and your grantmakers how they contributed to your cause!
So, on your website, you need to include an annual reports page! We suggest making an entire page with every annual report linked and downloadable.
For your annual reports, we recommend including them on a “financials and reports” page. You can include your nonprofit newsletters and annual reports on this page.
501c3 Website Requirement #3: IRS Form
Finally, to stay in the good graces of the 501c3 registration status, you need to include your IRS forms on your website. These forms prove you’re a 501c3. It’s a great way to add another layer of transparency to your nonprofit organization!
We recommend including this on your financials and reports page, too.
What Should a Nonprofit Website Include?
While there are a few things you need to have for your 501c3 status, there are other pages on your nonprofit website that you should have for the good of your donors.
These pages are essential when it comes to the age-old question, “what should a nonprofit website include?” That’s because each page is a piece of an entire website strategy puzzle.
Your nonprofit donors go through a “flow” or a “journey” on your website, especially if they’re brand new donors. They first land on your home page. Then, if you pique their interest, they move onto your story page, also called an about page. From there, they dive further into your nonprofit website by visiting pages like how to get involved, your campaigns page, and even your donate page.
All of those make up the must-have pages your nonprofit website should include! And by the way, we recommend following the 9 best practices for nonprofit website design to make sure it’s the ultimate experience for your donors!
Nonprofit Website Page #1: Home Page
Your home page is the first handshake. The first “nice to meet you!”
It’s the first impression of your nonprofit organization. So make sure your home page captures their attention. Do that by using compelling copywriting and high-quality imagery, especially of your nonprofit!
Then, direct them where they need to go next. Use a call to action by placing a button that tells them what to do next. Whether you lead them towards your donate page or you move them on to your “story” page, it’s up to you. (And in a lot of cases, you can do both!)
Nonprofit Website Page #2: “Our Story” Page
Your story page is a great way to truly introduce yourself to your donors. Let them in on how you got started with your nonprofit organization.
Tell them what propelled you into action! And then tell them all the amazing things you’re doing to make the world a better place.
Nonprofit Website Page #3: “Get Involved” Page
Some people want to do something other than donating money. Or they may want to do something in addition to donating money.
Give them an entire page dedicated to telling them what they can do for your mission! Talk to them about how they can get involved, whether it’s through a virtual fundraising event, or it’s by meeting in person to do good work together.
Nonprofit Website Page #4: “Financials and Reports” Page
Just like we mentioned above, when it comes to “what should a nonprofit website include,” you’ll want to add a financials and reports page.
This can be the home of both your annual reports and your IRS forms. You can also include your nonprofit newsletters so readers can catch up on your work!
Nonprofit Website Page #5: “Urgent Campaigns” Page
Whether you’re a larger nonprofit organization and you’re working on multiple campaigns, or you’re a smaller one focusing on one single project, you should include a campaigns page.
This helps add more transparency to your nonprofit’s mission. It shows your donors exactly what you’re working on right now.
And if there’s anything else we’ve learned in today’s world of digital technology, it’s that people love up-to-the-minute information!
Nonprofit Website Page #6: “Donate Today” Page
If you don’t include an official donate page, there’s a great chance you’ll leave money on the table.
Direct your readers to your “donate today” page, whether it’s built onto the nonprofit CMS you chose or it’s created using an online donation platform for nonprofits.
Nonprofit Website Page #7: Contact Us
Finally, when it comes to “what should a nonprofit website include,” you absolutely should include a contact us page.
Whether people want to send in letters of praise and approval, or people need to know how to get in touch with you for more information on volunteer opportunities, don’t deny them the chance!
Optional Pages Your Nonprofit Website Can Include
Now, we’ve gone over the essential pages your site needs to fulfill the question, “what should a nonprofit website include.”
But what about optional pages?
Like we mentioned earlier, there’s no set rule on how many pages your website can have. So if you want to have more, by all means, you can!
Here are a few we recommend if your nonprofit needs them:
Optional Nonprofit Website Page #1: Shop Page
Many nonprofit organizations use merchandise as another way to increase their funding. So if your organization does, too, then include a shop page on your site.
Allow readers and donors from all over the world to purchase items from your site and contribute to your cause!
Optional Nonprofit Website Page #2: Media Page
If your nonprofit is making waves in the media, include a page dedicated to that. People love seeing nonprofit organizations in the news and media because it’s a layer of “social proof.” Having your mission highlighted by news and media outlets is another way to prove that your nonprofit is legitimate.
Optional Nonprofit Website Page #3: Blog Page
Finally, if you plan on creating a nonprofit content marketing plan, we highly recommend including a blog page. It’s an excellent way to reap the benefits of SEO and organic search results!
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to your nonprofit website. But there are several essential pages you can include on your site.
So if you’ve been wondering, “what should a nonprofit website include,” as you’re building yours up, take this quick checklist and run with it!
These are the best nonprofit website pages to have to maintain your 501c3 status and to keep your donors engaged on your site!
Want more related to this? Check out these posts!
Top 9 Best Practices for Nonprofit Website Design to Make a Great First Impression
Your Easy to Understand Guide on Cybersecurity for Nonprofits and How to Protect Your Mission
Nonprofit CMS: These Are 3 of the Best Options for Your Nonprofit