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.
The Nature Conservancy Publishes a Separate Impact Page for Every State It Works In
Interface: State Program Page
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Observed: March 2026
The Nature Conservancy's Homepage Changes Based on Where You Live
Interface: Homepage Location Message
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Observed: March 2026
The Nature Conservancy's Homepage Hero Uses Community Photography, Not Stock Imagery
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
When Website Design Echoes the Work
Interface: Website Design
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: Enterprise
Observed: March 2026
When the Impact Report Closes the Loop on the Strategic Plan
Interface: Community Report Microsite
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: Mercy Housing
Observed: March 2026
Turning Strategic Plans into Public Interfaces
Interface: Strategic Plan Microsite
Lens: Build Trust
Organization: Mercy Housing
Observed: March 2026
Centering the Community in Annual Reporting
Interface: Annual Report
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: Mercy House
Observed: March 2026
Revealing the Story Through Scroll
Type: Annual Report
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: Habitat for Humanity
Observed: March 202
Using Text-First Posts to Speak Directly
Interface: Social Media Content Format
Lens: Explain the Work
Organization: No Kid Hungry
Observed: March 2026
Structuring Giving as a Catalog of Needs
Interface: Donation Experience
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Convoy of Hope
Observed: March 2026
Separating Participation into a Dedicated Platform
Interface: Digital Fundraising Platform
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: ShareTheMeal / World Food Programme
Observed: March 2026
Three Front-Door Paths Into the Work
Interface: Participation Pathways
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Food Recovery Network
Observed: March 2026
Non-Cash Giving as a Primary Entry Point
Interface: Website Navigation
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Convoy of Hope
Observed: March 2026
Grant Announcements as Partner Recruitment
Interface: Homepage Lightbox
Lens: Invite Participation
Organization: Food Recovery Network
Observed: March 2026