So, I have this idea…
Alright, so I came up with this idea a few years ago (I think summer ‘06), but I’m just thinking it over again…
Basically, as I’m sure you’re aware, charities (non-profits) don’t have a lot of disposable income.
Everything these days is on the internet, so if a charity doesn’t have a web presence, then they are seriously loosing out.
Every web designer needs to start somewhere, and usually that involves building up a portfolio of work.
So, my idea, is to simply tie them together!
Set up a website, that allows charities to request that they have a website built for them. They provide certain information, logo’s, photo’s, as much content for the website as possible, etc. That charity then gets put out onto the site as needing a design done.
Users are able to either view all of the information by default, or what I think may work better is for them to have to sign up, they would then say that they are interested in doing a design for this charity, and then all of the information for that website is provided to them.
They then do a design and submit it. After a set amount of time, say 3 - 4 weeks for example, all of the submitted designs are submitted to the charity for their consideration. The charity then chooses the one that they like the best. Any minor tweaks are made to the design, then the site is built.
The charity goes home with a brand new, hopefully well designed website, and the designer goes home with a nice portfolio piece and the good feeling that usually comes from working for a greater cause!
Of course there are multiple pitfalls and bridges that come with this idea, for example, once a charity has chosen a design, they may want more and more tweaks done, then there’s the actual building of the site, who would do that, put a CMS on it, but who does that, where’s it hosted, etc etc.
I’m just throwing it out there.
I’d love to hear from each side of the equation.. Designers / developers, would you be up for doing work like this for free? Charity / non-profit owners / workers, would your organisation be up for something like this? Does anyone like the idea?!
Feel free to either post in the comments, or email me at advocation@gmail.com
