Field Notes
How nonprofits communicate their work online.
Field Notes document individual communication and design choices across nonprofit websites, campaigns, and digital storytelling. Each note captures one communication choice, explains what it signals to visitors, and contributes to an ongoing record of how nonprofit work is understood online.
Search Field Notes by organization, campaign, issue, or lens.
How Habitat for Humanity Uses Humor Without Undermining the Mission
Interface: Instagram | @habitatforhumanity
Lens: Create Belonging
Organization: Habitat for Humanity
Observed: April 2026
When Participation Becomes the Fundraising Goal
Interface: Giving Day Platform
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Foster Forward
Observed: April 2026
Building an Email Strategy Around a Few Repeatable Campaign Types
Interface: Email
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Atlanta Community Food Bank
Observed: April 2026
When “100% to Programs” Becomes the Value Proposition
Interface: Homepage Donation Section, FAQ, Partner With Us Page
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: charity: water
Observed: April 2026
Opening the Door: Turning a Mission Into a Participatory Experience
Interface: Website Promo Page: Design Your Door
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Habitat For Humanity
Observed: April 2026
From Map to Method
Interface: Built for Zero page, interactive map + community profile
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: Community Solutions
Observed: April 2026
Designing for a Different Decision-Maker: Children as Participants
Interface: Tiny Heroes Page (Take Action section)
Lens: Create Belonging
Organization: charity: water
Observed: April 2026
When Fundraising is Inserted Into the Experience
Interface: Interface: Post-RSVP confirmation modal (third-party platform)
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: United Way
Observed: April 2026
Reducing Friction in Legacy Giving Through Embedded Services
Interface: Planned Giving Page
Lens: Reduce Barriers
Organization: charity: water
Observed: April 2026
From Impact Claims to Verifiable Proof
Interface: Homepage (interactive map)
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: charity: water
Observed: April 2026
Giftable Fundraising Experiences
Interface: Email Campaign + Campaign Landing Page
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: United Way of Greater Atlanta
Observed: April 2026
State-Level Impact Reports for Local Accountability
Interface: State Program Page
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Observed: March 2026
Using Location Detection to Invite Visitors Into Local Impact
Interface: Homepage Location Message
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Observed: March 2026
Community-Generated Imagery in Homepage Storytelling
Interface: Homepage Hero Image
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Observed: March 2026
“Nature Needs You” Reframes Urgency Around the Individual
Interface: Homepage Participation Section
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Observed: March 2026
Translating Donations into Learning Time
Interface: Homepage Donation Interface
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: Khan Academy
Observed: March 2026
Shifting the First Decision from Amount to Frequency
Interface: Donation Module
Lens: Reduce Barriers
Organization: Khan Academy
Observed: March 2026
Free to Use. Not Free to Make.
Interface: Homepage Donation Interface
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Khan Academy
Observed: March 2026
Making Donor Activity Visible Through Social Proof Notifications
Interface: Homepage
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: Room to Read
Observed: March 2026
Building the Case Before the Ask
Interface: Homepage (bottom)
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Mercy Housing
Observed: March 2026