How to Use This Resource
Target Audience: Under-resourced nonprofits and NGOs in Africa seeking professional website development support, and skilled WordPress developers/designers worldwide looking to contribute their expertise for social good.
When to Use: When your nonprofit organisation needs professional website development but lacks the budget or technical expertise, or when you’re a developer wanting to make a meaningful difference through volunteer work.
What You’ll Learn: How our matching programme pairs skilled volunteers with African nonprofits, the application process, and the impact you can create through digital empowerment.
At First Web Foundation, we are committed to amplifying the extraordinary work of small and medium-sized under-resourced nonprofit organisations across Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan regions. These organisations are already creating exceptional impact in their communities or demonstrate remarkable potential to transform lives as they strive to fulfil their missions.
Our approach centres on leveraging cutting-edge web-based and mobile technologies to help these under-resourced organisations connect with potential donors, sponsors, supporters, and stakeholders who share their vision for positive change. Through strategic digital empowerment, we enable these organisations to double their community impact whilst significantly enhancing the livelihoods of the people they serve.
Our Comprehensive Support Through the Matching Programme
We provide these under-resourced community-based nonprofits with extensive technical support, including tailored information, current news, practical tips, and comprehensive resources covering internet and mobile technology, online and mobile fundraising strategies, digital communications and social media management. Additionally, our support includes non-cash grants for website domains, hosting, and development, alongside customised training on WordPress website maintenance and general digital literacy to ensure long-term sustainability.
Through these initiatives, First Web Foundation actively contributes towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by creating pathways for enhanced community development and sustainable growth across Africa.
The Challenge: Bridging the Skills Gap Through Our Matching Programme
Whilst First Web Foundation possesses the capacity to donate hosting space and domains to 1,000 organisations, we currently face a critical challenge: limited human resource capacity to enable comprehensive website development and provide essential mentoring to representatives of beneficiary organisations on sustainable site maintenance practices.
This reality has inspired the creation of our innovative matching programme, designed to identify skilled volunteers or pro bono WordPress developers and designers from anywhere in the world who can be strategically paired with qualifying nonprofits and NGOs across Africa.
How The Programme Works
Time Commitment and Flexibility
Our matching programme requires just five hours per week from volunteer developers – approximately one hour per day on average. This manageable commitment allows skilled professionals to make a meaningful difference without overwhelming their existing schedules. Volunteers interested in contributing their time and expertise through our matching programme may be paired with one or even two selected nonprofits, depending on their availability and preference.
The recommended time allocation serves as guidance, but we encourage both parties – the volunteer and the beneficiary organisation – to discuss and establish a schedule that accommodates everyone’s availability and ensures project success.
Why WordPress Powers Our Matching Programme
We have strategically chosen the WordPress platform for our programme because we recognise that most NGO workers typically lack advanced website development skills such as HTML, PHP, Java, or sophisticated programming knowledge. However, with basic computer literacy, these dedicated professionals can easily master WordPress through accessible tutorials that require no advanced technical skills.
WordPress empowers users to create and customise stunning websites using intuitive themes and user-friendly interfaces. This approach ensures that once our programme volunteers complete their initial development and training phase, beneficiary organisations can independently maintain and update their websites, creating sustainable digital presence that continues growing long after the initial support period.
Success Stories from Our Programme
Transforming Healthcare Access in Rural Kenya
Through our matching programme, we paired a UK-based WordPress developer with a small healthcare nonprofit in rural Kenya. Within three months, the organisation’s new website attracted international medical volunteers and secured funding for a new clinic that now serves over 2,000 community members monthly.
Empowering Women’s Education in Ghana
A Canadian web designer volunteered through our programme to support a women’s education initiative in Ghana. The resulting website and digital strategy helped the organisation triple their scholarship recipients whilst establishing partnerships with universities across three countries.
Clean Water Initiative in Tanzania
Our matching programme connected a German developer with a water access project in Tanzania. The professional website and integrated donation system enabled the organisation to crowdfund their largest water project to date, bringing clean water to 15 villages.
Who Qualifies for Our Programme?
Eligible Nonprofit Organisations
Our programme prioritises small and medium-sized nonprofit organisations and NGOs across Africa that demonstrate:
- Proven community impact or clear potential for significant positive change
- Annual operating budgets under £4,000 (approximately $5,000 USD)
- Commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment
- Basic digital literacy among staff members
- Clear mission alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Willingness to learn WordPress maintenance and basic digital skills
Volunteer Developer Requirements
Skilled professionals interested in contributing to our matching programme should possess:
- WordPress development expertise including theme customisation and plugin management
- Design capabilities for creating visually appealing, user-friendly websites
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and understanding of African nonprofit contexts
- Reliable internet connection and ability to communicate via video conferencing
- Commitment to mentoring and knowledge transfer beyond technical development
- Patience and teaching ability to train nonprofit staff on website maintenance
The Application Process
For Under-Resourced Nonprofits and NGOs
Organisations seeking support through our matching programme must demonstrate their eligibility and commitment through a comprehensive application process. This includes providing detailed information about their mission, current activities, community impact, financial situation, and specific website needs.
Apply for Nonprofit Support Through Our Matching Programme →
For WordPress Developers and Designers
Skilled professionals interested in volunteering through our matching programme can apply by sharing their experience, availability, areas of expertise, and motivation for contributing to African nonprofit development.
Apply to Volunteer Through Our Matching Programme →
Our Matching Programme Impact
Measurable Community Benefits
Organisations supported through our matching programme typically experience:
- 300-500% increase in online visibility and donor engagement
- Enhanced fundraising capacity through professional online presence
- Improved stakeholder communication via integrated contact systems and social media
- Greater programme transparency through regular updates and impact reporting
- Expanded partnership opportunities with local and international organisations
Volunteer Professional Development
Professionals participating in our matching programme gain:
- Cross-cultural communication skills essential for global professional environments
- Project management experience working with resource-constrained organisations
- Portfolio enhancement with meaningful social impact projects
- Professional references and recommendations for future opportunities
- Network expansion within the international development community
Technical Support and Resources
Comprehensive Training Materials
Our matching programme provides extensive resources including:
- WordPress tutorials specifically designed for nonprofit organisations
- Digital security guides protecting sensitive beneficiary information
- SEO optimisation strategies for improved online visibility
- Social media integration techniques for enhanced community engagement
- Analytics setup and interpretation for measuring website effectiveness
Ongoing Mentorship Beyond Initial Development
Our matching programme extends beyond website creation to include:
- Monthly check-in sessions between volunteers and nonprofit partners
- Technical troubleshooting support for common website maintenance issues
- Continuous learning opportunities through webinars and resource sharing
- Peer networking sessions connecting nonprofit organisations for knowledge exchange
- Annual impact assessment measuring long-term success and sustainability
Quality Assurance in Our Matching Programme
Rigorous Volunteer Screening
Every volunteer participating in our matching programme undergoes:
- Technical skills assessment ensuring WordPress development competency
- Reference verification confirming professional background and reliability
- Cultural sensitivity training preparing volunteers for effective cross-cultural collaboration
- Project planning workshops establishing realistic timelines and deliverable expectations
- Ongoing support systems providing guidance throughout the partnership period
Nonprofit Readiness Assessment
Organisations accepted into our matching programme complete:
- Digital readiness evaluation assessing current technical capabilities and infrastructure
- Staff training needs analysis identifying specific skill development requirements
- Project scope definition clarifying website objectives and success metrics
- Sustainability planning ensuring long-term website maintenance capabilities
- Impact measurement framework establishing methods for tracking community benefits
Getting Started
Step 1: Initial Application
Complete the appropriate application form based on whether you’re a nonprofit seeking support or a volunteer offering expertise. Our team reviews all applications within two weeks and provides feedback on eligibility and next steps.
Step 2: Assessment and Matching
Eligible applicants undergo detailed assessment to ensure successful partnerships. We carefully match volunteers and nonprofits based on technical needs, cultural compatibility, time zone considerations, and project complexity.
Step 3: Partnership Launch
Matched pairs participate in joint orientation sessions covering project objectives, communication protocols, timelines, and success metrics. This foundation ensures clear expectations and productive collaboration throughout the development process.
Step 4: Development and Training
Volunteers begin website development whilst simultaneously training nonprofit staff on WordPress basics, content management, and ongoing maintenance practices. This dual approach ensures knowledge transfer and sustainable independence.
Step 5: Launch and Ongoing Support
Upon website completion, organisations receive comprehensive training on advanced features, analytics interpretation, and growth strategies. Our matching programme provides ongoing support for six months following launch.
Join Our Matching Programme Today
Whether you’re a nonprofit organisation ready to amplify your community impact through professional digital presence, or a skilled developer seeking meaningful volunteer opportunities, our matching programme offers transformative experiences that create lasting change across Africa.
Every website launched through our matching programme represents more than technical achievement – it symbolises enhanced capacity for community service, expanded opportunities for sustainable development, and strengthened connections between local initiatives and global support networks.
Your participation in our matching programme contributes directly to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals whilst building bridges between communities, cultures, and continents through the power of digital technology.
Ready to transform communities through our matching programme? Apply today and become part of a global movement empowering African nonprofits to maximise their impact through strategic digital empowerment.
Support First Web Foundation’s Matching Programme
Help us expand our matching programme to reach more under-resourced nonprofits across Africa.
Ways to Support Our Work:
Make a donation through our secure platform at firstwebfoundation.org/donate. Every contribution directly supports our matching programme operations and volunteer coordination.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@FirstWebFoundation for inspiring success stories from our matching programme partnerships.
Follow our updates on Facebook at facebook.com/firstwebfoundation to see real-time progress from organisations supported through our matching programme.
Connect with our professional network on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/first-web-foundation for partnership opportunities and volunteer matching updates.
Together, we’re building a digitally empowered Africa where every nonprofit has access to professional expertise through our innovative matching programme.
