SUMMARY OF REQUEST
Chip Emery
The Recompense Fund
978-807-9283
https://www.recompensefund.com/
The Recompense Fund is a philanthropic organization serving Chebeague - an island community located northeast of Portland, ME in the in Casco Bay. Your organization has grown from a family foundation to a fund with over 500 donors. You would like to hire a web designer to update the current website. This project has the potential of turning into an on-going relationship, with the web designer doing site maintenance and regular updates.
Your initial request stated the budget is $450 and the timeline is 60 days.
Key points from intro call:
Your current site was built by volunteers.
Little Green Light is your donor management system.
You've considered Wordpress, Squarespace, and Wix.
Another designer provided a $250 quote for redesigning the site.
ABOUT ME
Alexis Brown
DH Solutions
505-467-9857 (c)
alexis@deerheartconsulting.com
https://www.dhsolutions.agency/

I am a freelance business consultant and website designer based in Taos, New Mexico. My clients are located across the U.S. and Canada. Over the course of my 25-year career, my work has centered on nonprofit and small business development. My primary areas of expertise are:
strategic planning
nonprofit fundraising
systems improvements
communications and design
I have done this work in many roles, including:
Volunteer
Community Activist
Director of Development & Communications at 3 nonprofits (for over 13 years)
Member of 7 nonprofit Boards of Directors (over the course of 20 years) in the roles of Director, Committee Chair, Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair/President.
Freelance Consultant and Designer (over 14 years)
Peer Reviewer of grant applications at 4 federal agencies (5 years)
Wix Partner (5 years)
My Approach
As a creative strategist, there are three factors that I keep in mind throughout the project. Every decision I make for the site's design must support one or more of my project goals:
Ensure my client's needs are met, their goals are achieved, and their expectations are considered.
Make sure the audience's questions are answered, their needs are met, and their unique perspectives are considered.
Triple check that the tools I create or use are effective, efficient, and accurate and will ensure an ease of use by the end user.
Merely designing a nice looking website is insufficient for achieving strategic goals. And so, I incorporate valuable business development tools throughout the design process.
Strategy development: This can include finding clarity in vision, brand improvements, creating or improving your value statement, and market research on the industry, target audience, and competition.
Form and function: I decide how the site structure will look and which tools I will use. And I begin writing or editing the written content.
Build the structure: This is when I employ the technical skills to build the web pages, databases, etc.
Design & page formatting: I create graphics, optimize photos, and add the design to the site structure.
Review and refine Read, edit, review, repeat.
View the details of my approach.
Key Qualifications
I save you time and money by using efficient processes, effective tools, and transparent communications. That's why I work on the Wix platform - it's highly flexible, allows for custom website design, and doesn't require coding, hosting, or time-consuming maintenance. There's less for you to worry about.
My design services come with valuable business development tools, skill, and experience - which can benefit and enhance your organization for years to come. I understand the needs and challenges that come with a creating and managing a nonprofit website, such as:
speaking to many constituencies
organizing a massive amount of content so the navigation is intuitive and easy to follow
creating a system that will make it easier for you to make minor edits to the site without tripping up on the design or formatting
making it not just a tool to communicate your mission and grow your audience, but also a tool that strengthens operations
View my Web Design Portfolio
View my Consulting Portfolio
References
Matt McWhorter b4andafterprop@gmail.com
Website design & management; Re-branding, Graphic design, Business development support,, Systems improvements
Kiry Tiberius kirytiberius@gmail.com
Advanced website development, design & build; Editing & Content writing
Shay Talton info@vpmmedia.com
Website management; CRM set up; Ad campaign development; Systems improvements; Internal communications; Marketing research
Daniel Quat daniel@danielquatphoto.com
We worked together when I was a Development director and he has since hired me as a consultant to write, design, and manage his email marketing campaigns.
SCOPE OF WORK
Considerations
Nonprofit websites are considered Advanced websites because they have a lot of content, need a lot of unique pages, need to target 3 or more constituencies, and have many calls-to-action. The average cost for a small nonprofit website ranges from $3,500 to $10,000.
The initial request stated a budget of $450, which falls between my Simple Website package and Classic Website package.
The most time consuming aspect of any new website is compiling or creating the written content. Your current website has ample content to work with, but it requires editing and revision.
There is a slight increase in the proposed price rate because I added some content writing that I think would be very beneficial.
Website Upgrade
$650
Part 1: Design a Multi-Page Wix Website
Revised Site Map & Navigation
Here is what the Site Navigation might look like. The text located above and below the blue box shows the pages listed on dropdowns.

New Site Flow & Page Content
Below are the titles for each top level page shown on the navigation menu.
Click the arrow next to the title for a dropdown.
In the dropdown is an image gallery with a mock up the types of content I would use.
If that page has a dropdown on the navigation menu, the gallery will also include the mock ups for the sub-pages.
Click on an image to expand for better viewing.
Home Page
Celebrate Chebeague
Programs
News
About
Contact
Nonprofits
Donors
Board
Policies
Events
Design Theme
It's common for foundation and funding websites to use photos of awardees on their sites. But, because the people of Chebeague have such a deep connection to the islands and ocean, I would use place-based photos.
One option is to focus on nature:
The second option would focus on things that show man and nature's interaction.
Bonus: I have access to multiple websites where I can get high quality Commercial Use photos for free.
Visual Content
Brand Integration or support selecting fonts & color palette
Optimization of your photos/videos
Icons & Graphics
Written Content
Copy editing of content you provide
Terms & Privacy Policy
After I submitted my initial proposal, I did some research on your organization, the community, and the surrounding area. After compiling bits of information I collected from across the internet, I felt I had a better understanding of the community character, needs, and unique attributes. It required effort most would not do when browsing the internet.
Tthe ideas that started to come together are VERY compelling. I believe your organization and community will benefit by sharing some of the story of the people of Chebeague - your work ethic, your reverence for and connection to the islands and ocean, your ability to create a township rooted in social good, etc.
Additional Support
Forms
Contact
Subscribe
Surveys
Social Media links
Basic On-Site SEO
Mobile Optimization
Connect new site design to current Domain
Google Search Console
Connect & Update Google Business Profile
Two rounds of revisions
1 month of support after site launch
Easy to follow written instruction on basic edits & use of key pages
During the development and design process, I may propose additional pages or custom functionality that might require additional time and cost. This would be presented to you first, to decide if we do it, skip it, or postpone until a later date.
Your Commitment & Responsibility
Here are examples of Board commitments and responsibilities which are required if we are to complete this scope of work at the quoted price:
Sending me all branding assets (logos, color palettes, fonts, etc).
Providing new or updated written content, as requested
Providing high resolution versions of all images used on the current website.
Two or more people who will review all pages, test all functions, and provide content edits.
Working with me to create a timeline for project completion. (Significant delays can result in additional fees.)
Optional Part 2: On-Going Support
Most of my design clients have continued to work with me when the initital project was completed - either on retainer or as needed. I would work with you to determine the best option based on your needs and budget.
Monthly Retainer
Clients can set up a monthly retainer (minimum 3 hours) that includes specific tasks and/or a set number of hours worked
As Needed
Clients can contact me as needed. Prior to work commencing, we will agree to the scope of work and the cost per hour ($50-125).
TERMS
Timeline
60 Days
The requested timeline is feasible.
Payments
All invoices to The Recompense Fund will be tax-free due to your 501c3 status. Payments are due immediately, but invoices include a 14-day window as a courtesy.
Payment Schedule
Website Design
50% Deposit: Paid prior to work commencing.
50% Balance: After 30 days or upon completion of the project, which ever comes first, I will submit an invoice for the balance owed.
If there are changes or additions to the original Scope of Work or timeline after the deposit is paid, DH Solutions will either create a new contract for the new tasks or I will invoice the client at an hourly rate of no less than $75 per hour.
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On-Going Support
Retainers must be paid each month prior to work commencing.
Work billed on an hourly basis will be invoiced for the balance owed. In some cases, a deposit may be required for work to commence.
Payment Methods
DH Solutions will send invoices via email. Payment is due upon receipt, though invoices include a 14 day window as a courtesy.
Clients may pay their invoice with the following payment methods:
Using the link included with the emailed invoice
Paypal (to @deerheartconsult)
Venmo (to @deerheartconsult)
CashApp (to @deerheart27)
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Checks are accepted with prior approval only.
Terms + Conditions
Please review my Terms and Conditions prior to signing any agreement. These Terms and Conditions include topics such as Late Payments, Third Party Fees, Disputes, Intellectual Property, and Confidentiality.
Terms and Conditions
NEXT STEPS
Client's Preferred Next Step
Today's Date
Your Name
Signature
An error occurred. Please try again later. Contact me if the error persists.
Thank you for submitting your response to this project proposal! I will review A.S.A.P.
Please use the form below to let me know if you have:
chosen to work with a different website designer,
if you or any board members have questions or wish to make changes to the scope of work or terms (For example, I am happy to adjust the Scope of Work if you need a lower rate for service.)
if you accept this proposal as written.
This proposal is valid until Friday, January 7, 2025.
I look forward to hearing back from you!