Social Justice Website Build.

Project Description

Background

The 48in48 Social Justice Build Event is a transformative initiative that unites passionate marketing and technology professionals to create 48 free websites for nonprofits during an intense 48-hour event. This hackathon-style event is designed to empower nonprofits advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion by enhancing their digital presence, driving social justice initiatives, and fostering a more equitable society.

Problem

Nonprofits have a limited budget, making it difficult to afford professional-quality websites, which are essential for enhancing their digital presence and driving their social justice initiatives.

Goals and Objectives

• Create Professional Websites: Build 48 free, high-quality websites for nonprofits in 48 hours.

• Enhance Digital Presence: Empower nonprofits by improving their online visibility.

• Support Social Justice: Foster a more equitable society by supporting nonprofits advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Project Planning

In the planning phase, I focused on the following key activities:

• Team Assembly: Selected a cross-functional team of 8 professionals, including designers, developers, accessibility experts, QA specialists, SEO strategists, and digital marketers.

• Onboarding: Managed the onboarding process for all team members, ensuring everyone was aligned with the event’s goals and familiar with their roles.

• Scheduling: Created a detailed project timeline, scheduling all activities to ensure the website build was completed within the 48-hour window.

• Resource Allocation: Ensured all necessary resources and tools, such as WordPress, Trello, Waahi, Slack, Gravity Forms, and Beaver Builder, were available and set up for efficient use.

Scope Management

The project scope included the design, development, and deployment of 48 websites within a 48-hour period, ensuring that each site met the functional and branding requirements of the participating nonprofits.

Timeline

The project was executed over a 48-hour window, with intense preparation in the weeks leading up to the event to ensure all logistics and resources were in place.

Budget

The project operated on a minimal budget, relying heavily on volunteer contributions and in-kind donations to maximize resources and impact. Saved the nonprofit $25,000.

Project Execution

During the execution phase, I led the team through the following processes:

• Team Coordination: Maintained cohesive team dynamics through regular check-ins and updates via Slack and Trello.

• Strategic Implementation: Managed the step-by-step execution of the project plan, ensuring each phase was completed on time.

• Brand and Content Development: Oversaw the branding and content strategy, ensuring each website reflected the nonprofit's mission and values.

• Quality Assurance: Implemented a thorough QA process to ensure all websites met high standards of functionality, accessibility, and SEO.

Tasks and Deliverables

• Website Design and Development: Creation of 48 unique websites.

• Branding and Content Strategy: Development of branding and content that aligns with each nonprofit's mission.

• Quality Assurance: Ensuring all websites are functional, accessible, and optimized for SEO.

Tools and Methodologies

• WordPress: Used for building and managing websites.

• Trello: Utilized for task tracking and project management.

• Waahi and Slack: Employed for team communication and collaboration.

• Gravity Forms and Beaver Builder: Used for form creation and website design.

Communication: Regular updates and coordination were maintained through Slack and Trello, ensuring all team members were informed and aligned with the project's progress and goals.

Challenge

Nonprofits have a limited budget, making it difficult to afford professional-quality websites.

Solutions

• Efficient Planning: Developed a meticulous project timeline and resource plan to maximize efficiency and make the most of the available resources.

• Effective Communication: Used Slack and Trello for real-time communication and task tracking to ensure seamless coordination and prevent resource wastage.

• Focused Team Effort: Leveraged the expertise of each team member, ensuring tasks were delegated based on individual strengths and skills to optimize productivity.

Project Outcomes

Results

The project achieved several notable outcomes:

• Community Impact: Generated an estimated $33 million in value and savings for over 1,300 nonprofit organizations.

• Quality Assurance and Improvement: Conducted thorough post-event evaluations to assess the success of the event and identified areas for improvement, enhancing the overall quality and impact of future events.

• Advocacy and Awareness: Improved the online visibility and digital capacity of participating nonprofits. Strengthened the ability of nonprofits to engage with their communities and drive social justice initiatives.

Success Metrics

• Number of Websites Built: Successfully built 48 websites in 48 hours.

• Participant Satisfaction: High satisfaction rate among participating nonprofits.

• Value Generated: Estimated $33 million in value and savings for nonprofits.

Lessons Learned

• Importance of Preparation: Thorough preparation and resource allocation are crucial for success in high-pressure, time-constrained projects.

• Effective Team Coordination: Regular communication and clear task delegation significantly enhance team efficiency and project outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: Post-event evaluations are essential for identifying areas of improvement and ensuring future success.