Elevation

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director of a non-profit organization that promotes global collaboration in research, education, and clinical care to improve the lives of people with bipolar disorder. We offer resources, training, and publish research in the field.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elevation?

We needed to develop a modern website with better navigation, streamlined resources, and better integration with our CRM. We also wanted a longer-term partnership through a solid maintenance contract.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elevation has developed a new customized website for us using WordPress as the principal platform. The team has handled all aspects of the website, including developing personas, site architecture, design, integration of our CRM and Journal TPS link, and content migration. Elevation has also provided training and guidance throughout the process.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 2–5 teammates from Elevation.

How did you come to work with Elevation?

We found Elevation through an online search. We wanted a team to work on the site as opposed to an individual, and we liked the clarity we got from the initial proposal discussion.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Elevation in October 2025, and the engagement ended in July 2026.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Elevation has delivered a refreshed modern design, improved navigation, and better integration with our CRM. We’ve also received a lot of anecdotal feedback from our members and business partners about how great the new site looks. Some of the feedback has indicated that many times when an organization pays a lot for a ground-up website redesign, it’s not that much improved. However, our new site looks great.

How did Elevation perform from a project management standpoint?

Elevation has delivered everything on time. We’ve had a delay of about two months on our end to ensure we have time to develop content and get feedback from our oversight committee. We communicate with Elevation via email and messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Elevation has been able to help us through the process of making decisions at critical points in the design phase that have led to a better site overall. The team’s experience in this business has really shown and provided a benefit.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish Elevation had communicated better on the frontend how much work we would be expected to do to get the site up and running. I feel like we’ve put in as many hours as they have, which, at the end of the day, has made the actual cost of the site much higher than anticipated.Additionally, I think Elevation should have a contingencies budget of about $2,500 built into their proposal, as most organizations will want to make some adjustments that involve additional integrations or build time. Finally, I would have liked a longer support window from the staff at the end of the project, as the learning curve has been steep.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a marketing communication specialist at Maryvale, a nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed education, mental health services, substance use treatment, and temporary housing to support vulnerable children and families in Los Angeles County.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Elevation?

After 18 months of frustration with a previous vendor, I was truly at my wit’s end. There was a significant disconnect between my vision and what was being produced, and despite multiple attempts to move forward, I couldn’t get past the homepage. I ended up pushing my launch date back 5–6 times and ultimately decided to start from scratch.My primary goal in hiring Elevation was to finally bring our vision to life with a partner who could understand our mission and execute it effectively. I also needed a team that could deliver a high-quality website for our nonprofit programs on time and aligned with our goals, after such a prolonged and difficult experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elevation handled the full website design and development. Their work began with discovery and strategy to understand our goals, followed by site architecture, UX/UI design, and full development.Key deliverables included:While I developed and provided all of the website content, Elevation ensured it was brought to life through thoughtful design, functionality, and an overall user experience that finally matched my vision after a long and frustrating start with a previous vendor.

What is the team composition?

I worked with one teammate from Elevation.

How did you come to work with Elevation?

After speaking with several of their former nonprofit clients, it became clear that Elevation had the expertise and track record we needed. For our line of work, I felt confident they were the best choice to help us move forward and successfully launch.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Elevation from November 2025–January 2026.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The biggest win was finally launching the site after 18 months of delays and frustration with a previous vendor. Elevation took us from being completely stuck to having a fully live, polished website.A few things that really stood out:We’re still early in terms of long-term metrics, but internally, the feedback has been really positive. Just getting to a place where we have a site we’re proud of—and that actually works the way we needed it to—was a huge success.Since launch, the site has already generated over 5,200 views and 2,200 visitors in just about a month, which is a strong start. Our homepage alone has brought in over 1,200 views, and we’re seeing traffic come primarily from search engines, which is a great sign for long-term visibility. Overall, it shows solid early engagement and a much stronger foundation than where we were before.

How did Elevation perform from a project management standpoint?

Elevation delivered on time. They communicated through email or a messaging app.

What did you find most impressive or unique about them?

The strict timeline was impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Design Manager of SEEC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

SEEC works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to build lives of choice, purpose, and belonging—across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and every stage of life.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

• to enhance accessibility and readability so that all users, including those using assistive technology, can navigate and engage without barriers.
• to highlight our lifelong partnership model so that families feel confident that SEEC supports people through every stage of life.
• to clearly explain our services and pathways so that people with IDD and their families can easily understand what services are available and how to begin the process.

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

Current Client

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Great experience as a current customer

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

1. Discovery & Analysis Establishes a shared vision and unity between teams. Strategic consultations and completion of a User Experience report. Defines audience demographics, behaviors, and needs. Delivers new website personas and an optimized sitemap. Emphasizes accessibility and inclusive design principles. 2. Design Creation and review of site mockups and custom templates. Collaboration to refine designs reflecting the organization’s mission. Adopts existing brand aesthetics or creates a new design system. Ensures accessibility-informed UX and unique visual positioning. 3. Content & Component Analysis Assigns a Content Manager to guide content population and improvement. Populates all website content and configures functional components. Offers content writing/editing assistance and preliminary training. 4. Development & Quality Assurance Translates requirements into a custom WordPress theme. Conducts quality assurance across browsers and devices. Provides a private beta link for review and final revisions. Performs a comprehensive internal QA inspection. 5. Training & Launch Delivers WordPress CMS training for up to 4 staff members. Transfers full ownership rights and releases admin credentials. Launches the website and provides 2 hours of free technical support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Performance Highlights (Pre vs. Post Launch): Overall Performance: Increased from 67 to 80 (+~19%) SEO Score: Improved from 85 to 92 (+10.8%) Accessibility Score: Maintained at a perfect 100 Page Load Speed: Improved significantly, reducing load time by ~89%  

Accessibility Improvements

• Total Errors: Reduced from 8 to 0
• Contrast Errors: Reduced by -70%
• Alerts: Reduced by -64%

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Project Management (specifically Maga Gonzalez) was excellent, knowledgeable and responsive. Everything ran smoothly and on time. Thank you!

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The team was consistently professional, responsive, and a pleasure to work with from start to finish. They communicated clearly at every stage of the project, which helped us feel informed, supported, and confident in each decision along the way. Their ability to listen to our needs, offer thoughtful recommendations, and respond quickly to feedback made the entire redesign process feel collaborative and manageable. The final website not only met our goals but has been very well received by our entire community, reflecting both our mission and the needs of our audiences.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Elevation could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an organizational development specialist at Esperanza Center. We’re a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower people with developmental disabilities to explore their potential and thrive while receiving high-quality support and services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish for your company?

We hired Elevation to redesign our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Elevation redesigned our website from a basic version to a full-service website. The new site now includes forms for careers and program enrollments, as well as donation buttons that make it easy for donors to contribute. We also included a newsletter signup form and other features we didn’t have before, such as testimonials, a newsletter archive, impact page, and a leadership team section. Elevation handled all the design and development work. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–5 teammates from Elevation.

How did you come to work with Elevation?

We found Elevation through an online search. We chose them over other options because they had high ratings, and their company values aligned with ours.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March 2025–December 2025.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’re beyond happy with the results. The site’s functionality and user-friendliness have improved, and we can now collect data. Although it’s still too soon to tell, the early feedback has been positive. 

How did Elevation perform from a project management standpoint?

Elevation delivered on time. We communicated through virtual meetings, email, and Basecamp. I want to personally thank our project manager, Maga Gonzalez, from the bottom of my heart for her attention, patience, flexibility, and guidance throughout this entire process. Maga is an incredible project manager and a truly wonderful human being.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Elevation’s flexibility, patience, and ability to listen to our needs and deliver what we needed were impressive. We also felt a genuine sense that they cared.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Project Manager of SASCC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

ASCC helps communities prepare for—and thrive through—the demographic shift toward an older population, partnering with governments, colleges, and organizations to deliver both hands-on services and high-impact strategic solutions. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

• Create a new website that better reflected our organization's mission and growth.
• Create a new brand identity.

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

Online Search

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We engaged Elevation to create a new website that better reflected our organization's growth and direction, taking our online reputation from being a local direct service provider to a leader in the aging sector. We wanted our site to represent our innovation, data-driven solutions, and impact. They accomplished this. 

Key deliverables:
- New, innovative website
- Brand messaging guide
- Branding guidelines
- Ongoing support

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project resulted in a complete digital transformation of our online presence, consolidating our brand identity across multiple programs and microsites. Measurable outcomes: improved user navigation, clearer pathways for our core audiences, and alignment of all our programs under a unified brand. They gave us a scalable website structure that supports analytics tracking, online engagement, and future membership and donation growth.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Elevation’s project management was organized and communicative. They kept us on track with clear milestones, met deadlines, and responded promptly to feedback or requests for clarification. Their team showed flexibility when timelines or priorities shifted. 

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We were impressed by how Elevation captured the heart of our organization's mission while creating a modern, unified brand across all our programs. Their team has a rare ability to translate complex community initiatives into clear, engaging digital experiences.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Elevation could have done differently?

The only slight hiccup we experienced was the first version of the site they delivered was not on target with what we felt we articulated, so there was a process of getting it back on track to what we were looking for. They stayed engaged, patient, and eager to get it right, and we were very pleased with the outcome. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Associate Director of Development of Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project’s (ANV) mission is to elevate life for youth and their families in Oakland and beyond by challenging oppressive dynamics and environments through urban farming and access to the natural environment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

• Design a new website for our non-profit organization

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

Online Search

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Elevation helped us redesign our entire website, including over 30 pages. We wanted to bring a fresh aesthetic, as well as updated content, into an easier-to-navigate format for our community members and supporters.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our new website was launched within about 4 months of starting our work with Elevation. It is a beautiful representation of our organization and mission, and we have already received so many compliments on it!

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Everyone we worked with at Elevation was super responsive and quick to answer questions. They provided us a timeline of the project up front and stayed on track throughout the project so we could launch the website on time. No one at our organization has much web design knowledge, and the folks at Elevation answered all of our questions and provided extra support as needed.

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We clicked with the team right from the start - again, they were so responsive and willing to answer any and all questions we had. They made the website redesign such a smooth process, and were truly a joy to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Elevation could have done differently?

Nothing that we can think of!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a department director at Alliance for Learning Innovation

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI) is a bipartisan coalition that brings together school leaders, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to help shapre a robust education research and development ecosystem that develops, implements, and scales evidence-based solutions to improve educational outcomes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

• Build a new website

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

• Online Search
• Other

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Scope of Work Summary
We engaged Elevation for a comprehensive WordPress-based website design project. The project follows a 5-phase process including discovery, design, content analysis, development, and launch.

Key Deliverables:

1. Custom WordPress Website 
   • Mobile-responsive design with 6 templates (home page, interior page, and 4 additional specialized templates)
   • Modern, accessible design aligned with ALI's mission of building an innovative education R&D ecosystem
2. Content Management 
   • Migration of 10 content pages and 15 blog posts
   • Content management system for staff to easily update website
3. Specialized Features 
   • Advanced site search functionality
   • Blog platform with categories and tagging
   • Resource Library with directory management tool for white papers and policy commentary
   • Team bio showcase section
   • Membership/partner listing tool
   • Accordion functionality for FAQ sections
   • Newsletter/email integration with Mailchimp
   • Social media integration and sharing tools
   • Three custom contact forms including submission forms for guest blogs and R&D success stories
4. Technical Enhancements 
   • SEO optimization tools
   • Custom accessible charts for the Funding Analysis page
   • Blog post view counting functionality
   • Custom newsletter template design
5. Training & Support 
   • WordPress CMS platform training
   • 30 days of free technical support following launch
   • Optional ongoing maintenance through annual Essential Support Plan

The project included all necessary design, development, and implementation services, with Elevation providing project management, user experience design, graphic design, and full development services through their specialized nonprofit web design team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Key Project Success Metrics:

• Completed full website development within 6-month timeline
• Delivered project according to budget, sticking to initial budget estimate
• Successfully launched all planned features with no scope creep
• Smooth transition with zero downtime during site migration
• Complete team adoption of CMS with adequate training

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Elevation's project management was excellent. They delivered all items on schedule, meeting deadlines consistently throughout the project. The team responded perfectly to our needs, showing flexibility and adaptability to fulfill our vision for the ALI website. Communication was regular and thorough, keeping us informed at each stage. They also provided ample opportunity for revisions, ensuring the final product matched exactly what we wanted.

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Exceptional communication and project management with a unique understanding of the nonprofit space and how it impacts our ability to technically engage in the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Elevation could have done differently?

None!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Communications Director of Global Forest Generation

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Global Forest Generation is a US-based nonprofit dedicated to sustaining critical yet neglected forest ecosystems across the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

• Refresh website
• Create new branded templates
• Refresh visual and narrative brand

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

Online Search

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Brand visuals and narrative: Develop clear vision, mission, values, and unique value proposition. Develop color palette, fonts, icons, and other visual elements to support and articulate the brand. 

Website refresh: Complete re-design of website and migration to Wordpress content management system. 

Branded templates: Design templates for email signatures, business cards, annual report, and PowerPoint. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

All deliverables were given on time, and all reflected a unique, streamlined brand for Global Forest Generation. Specific to the website, Elevation delievered a product with better SEO, a logical site architecture that showcases our conservation impact, a more accessible design, and a streamlined user experience.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Elevation's project management was next level. They were thorough and responsive, remaining courteous when answering both our big and small questions. They kept to their timelines and delivered exceptional products. At every turn, Elevation came through, which eased my anxiety. Their service is a big reason why I would work with them again…you don’t want a creative firm leaving you in the lurch, no matter how good they are.

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Besides their service, I was impressed with the range of experts on the team. Whenever we had questions, whether technical or creative, they brought in someone knowledgeable to help us troubleshoot. There was truly nothing they could not do. I also appreciated that Elevation works exclusively with nonprofits, so they understand our ecosystems and constraints. And they are so reasonably priced. We would not have been able to re-do our website without them. Other firms were quoting us twice as much...but the product we got from Elevation did not skimp on quality. Finally, we work in South America, so it was a bonus to have Spanish-speaking Elevation staff who also understood the regions in which we work.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Elevation could have done differently?

The only comment I have here is that once or twice it fell like Elevation was trying to "up-sell" us on services. Which I understand. But Elevation was very reasonable when I came back and said, "we can't afford that." So, it's not a major complaint.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Development and Business Director of Professional Women Photographers

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Empowers Professional Women Photographers

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

• We are completely run on a voluntary basis and this overhaul allowed us to be more strategic in identifying roles, vision, and purpose.
• To bring our website into the future
• Make our brand more relatable as PWP is turning 50 years old in 2025
• New energy and a clearer vision of our services to all women photographers

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

Referral

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned
• They were most impressive amongst the research done.

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• A refreshed brand that honors 49 years of history and tells the story of PWP. 
• An easy experience for our members in the new member portal  
• A unique aesthetic that allows our member's images to be displayed in an artful way. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The communication with our project manager, Maga, was impeccable. I am an artist and administrator. I learned so much about the process of web development. Maga was extremely patient and just a pleasure to work with. She managed our expectations very well and adjusted or made adjustments before we understood they were needed. 

When additional support was necessary, it was not proposed from a salesy place, but for the betterment of the experience and/or for longterm forward movement. 

This is what kept us within the timeline. This is what drove us to do the work necessary as 49 years comes with a dense amount of copy. We did not know where to begin, but got the support through Elevation to find and use our voice. 

The website is truly a work of art. Our logo is brilliant and T-shirt ready!  We are very happy with the results, but more importantly, we are proud of our site! Please go check it out: www.pwponline.org 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Whoops! I may have answered that in the last question. Yes, they delivered on time and before time. There was never a waiting game. In fact, they waited on us. Maga was extremely supportive, considerate, and patient. I could not ask for a better experience especially because this was not my wheelhouse. Elevation is truly the best of the best and I am so glad we chose them. They delivered far beyond what we expected.

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Elevation is personable. There was nothing stuffy about them, and still business-oriented. This is the energy that attracted me to them. The diversity was also important to our choice. They also centered on the service of accessibility, and we found this to be very impressive. Elevation is modern and forward thinking and forward acting in the culture of the business and that is what PWP will always align with.  When you have experienced the best, why would you go any other way? With absolute certainty and confidence, I will always recommend Elevation or bring them to the forefront of possibilities. 10 out of 10 I would do it again!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Elevation could have done differently?

Not that I am aware of. Never say goodbye. Be available to us forever. LOL We were made aware of every step. Maga was masterful at setting expectations. It truly was a perfect experience. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Strategic Communications & Public Relations of Alianza Coachella Valley

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Policy and systems change campaigns for greater equity in our communities. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Elevation to accomplish?

Create a campaign website to highlight our new campaign

SOLUTION

How did you find Elevation?

Online Search

Why did you select Elevation over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Elevation were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

To create a simple website for our new campaign. Deliverable was a simple, easy to navigate website with SEO optimization.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Website launched prior to our public campaign launch, clear communication of benchmarks and deadlines. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Our project manager, Carolina, was absolutely fantastic. She kept things moving smoothly, with excellent communication throughout the project. She highlighted any delays or deadlines that we needed to meet to keep the project on track. The site was delivered on time and Carolina was extremely responsive to our needs and questions. We would work with Carolina again in a hearbeat. 

What was your primary form of communication with Elevation?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The level of project management was one of the best I've ever experienced. The communication was so seamless and effective that we felt really well taken care of. We also really appreciated the care that Elevation gives to accessibility on their websites. It's not always a given for web design. Really appreciate the entire experience.