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( DIGITAL SYSTEMS THAT STRENGTHEN MISSIONS AND INSPIRE GIVING )

NONPROFIT CONSULTING, STRATEGY & WEB DESIGN THAT SCALES YOUR MISSION

Strategic consulting, fundraising planning, board governance, and integrated digital systems for nonprofits ready to grow their impact. Whether you need fractional leadership, campaign strategy, web design, or brand development — or all of the above — I help mission-driven organizations build sustainable infrastructure that supports long-term success. Serving clients locally in Portland, Oregon and beyond.

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IS YOUR MISSION CRYSTAL CLEAR TO YOUR DONORS, VOLUNTEERS & COMMUNITY?

Nonprofits are doing some of the hardest, most meaningful work in the world. But too often, their digital presence doesn’t reflect their impact. 


  • Websites feel outdated, slow, or donor-unfriendly.
  • Resources and impact are hard to conceptualize.
  • Messaging is fragmented, leaving supporters unsure what impact their gifts create.
  • Visual identity is inconsistent, weakening credibility.
  • Social channels eat staff time without driving engagement.
  • Campaigns are reactive, not strategic.
  • Board meetings feel unproductive, lacking clear governance and decision-making frameworks.
  • Grant proposals lack alignment with the rest of the organization’s story.


The risk? When these pieces don't connect, the consequences are real: donors lose confidence and give elsewhere, campaigns underperform and miss revenue targets, staff burn out managing patchwork systems, and your impact stalls while competitors with clearer messaging pull ahead.


You don’t need to operate on outdated systems and hope. You deserve systems that amplify your mission, inspire giving, and make daily operations easier.


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FROM SCATTERED TOOLS TO ONE CLEAR, SCALABLE SYSTEM

I provide strategic consulting, fundraising planning, board governance, and integrated digital systems that align every moving part of your nonprofit. Whether you need fractional leadership, campaign strategy, web design, or brand development, my strength is in connecting it all. And for larger projects, I partner with trusted collaborators to deliver seamlessly across every touchpoint.

LET’S BUILD YOUR COMPLETE NONPROFIT BRAND SYSTEM

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CONSULTING & STRATEGY

Fractional marketing leadership, strategic planning, and organizational assessment for nonprofits that need executive-level guidance without a full-time hire. I help organizations clarify priorities, align stakeholders, and build sustainable systems that support long-term growth and impact.


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BRAND IDENTITY

From positioning and messaging to logos, color palettes, typography, and design systems, I help organizations define who they are and how to show up consistently. Every brand system includes practical guidelines your team can use across print, digital, and social.

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COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Copywriting, content frameworks, email marketing, social strategy, and annual planning that keeps your messaging consistent and your audience engaged. The communications infrastructure that ensures your impact stays front and center across all channels.

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FUNDRAISING & CAMPAIGNS

Strategic fundraising planning, donor engagement frameworks, and campaign development that convert supporters into sustained giving. From GivingTuesday and annual appeals to donor journey mapping and messaging, I help nonprofits build year-round fundraising infrastructure that works.

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BOARD DEVELOPMENT & GOVERNANCE

Board retreat facilitation, governance framework development, and implementation support for nonprofits whose boards need structure and accountability. I help organizations transform board meetings from reactive check-ins to strategic governance that drives mission forward.

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GRANT SUPPORT & STRATEGY

Grant research, proposal development, and funder alignment strategy for nonprofits seeking foundation support. I help organizations identify grant opportunities, craft compelling narratives, and build proposals that connect mission to funder priorities.

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WEB DESIGN & SEO

Mobile-friendly, SEO-optimized, and accessible websites built for donors, board members, and staff. Custom Squarespace and WordPress builds designed for easy management after launch — no developer dependency required.

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SYSTEMS & OPERATIONS

CRM implementation, workflow design, onboarding flows, and backend infrastructure that keeps your organization running smoothly. I help nonprofits simplify tech stacks, reduce redundancy, and build systems your team can actually manage.

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CREATIVE MEDIA

Professional photography, videography, and creative direction for nonprofits that need high-quality visual assets. From team headshots and event coverage to social content and brand imagery — media that works across web, print, and social channels.

( ABOUT )

Hi, I'm Lauren Lester.
Your "
I can figure that out" person.

I help nonprofits strengthen governance, scale fundraising, and build sustainable systems that support long-term impact. With more than 14 years of experience in strategic branding and organizational systems, I understand what it takes to transform how nonprofits operate, engage donors, and grow their mission.

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I also serve on the Board of Directors for AMA PDX as Director of Agency, where I lead pro bono campaigns delivering $100K+ in marketing value annually to Portland-area nonprofits. That experience keeps me rooted in the realities nonprofits face and motivates me to design systems, strategies, and campaigns that truly support their work.

I FIGURE IT OUT


I FOLLOW THROUGH


I MAKE IT EASY


Transplant House provides vital housing for families traveling to Seattle for life-saving treatment. When we began working together, their digital presence lagged behind their impact: the site was outdated, they hadn't fundraised in over a year, donation pathways were compromised, and staff were stretched thin.


Portland-based designer Renee Garcia brought me in to lead web, systems, and fundraising strategy. Together we created a comprehensive solution that blended strong visual identity (Renee) with donor-ready digital infrastructure and strategic fundraising campaigns that delivered immediate results.


( CLIENT CASE STUDY )

FROM OUTDATED TOOLS TO DONOR-READY SYSTEMS

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“Oh my goodness, this is absolutely perfect! Renee and Lauren, you have completely understood our vision and brought it to life BEAUTIFULLY! Renee, thank you for creating beautiful patterns and icons, such a wonderful touch! Lauren, the testimonial collage brought tears to my eyes. Everything has been so thoughtfully curated and displayed, I am so proud of all of the work you have done to help revamp our brand, THANK YOU!!”

Hannah Jones

Executive Director, Transplant House

THE RIGHT TOOLS = MORE TRUST = MORE IMPACT

MORE DONOR TRUST

Cohesive branding signals credibility. When supporters see consistency across all platforms, they feel confident their gifts are in capable hands.

LESS STAFF STRESS

Tools are designed for ease of use, not constant fixes. That means less time troubleshooting and more time serving your mission.

BETTER FUNDRAISING

Strategic campaigns and clear giving pathways convert more gifts. Clear messaging and donor-ready tools make it easy for people to say yes.

IMPACT DOCUMENTATION

Organized systems capture stories, data, and outcomes making it easier to show funders, board members, and your community your impact.

STRONGER STORYTELLING

Messaging and visuals are crafted to inspire action. When your story resonates, your community responds with greater engagement.

ROOM TO GROW

Every piece is built to expand as your mission grows. You’ll have a solid foundation that adapts to new goals and opportunities.

YOUR NONPROFIT STRATEGY & WEB DESIGN
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

( FAQ’S )…

  • WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRACTIONAL CMO AND PROJECT-BASED CONSULTING?

    Fractional CMO is an ongoing retainer relationship (typically 3-12 months) where I serve as your organization's marketing leader, providing strategic guidance, stakeholder alignment, and hands-on implementation support. Project-based consulting is a defined engagement with a specific deliverable—like a strategic plan, campaign strategy, or board governance framework. Both options provide executive-level expertise without a full-time hire.


  • WHAT MAKES NONPROFIT WEB DESIGN DIFFERENT FROM OTHER WEBSITES?

    Nonprofit websites must convert mission-driven traffic into action: donate, volunteer, refer, or learn. That means clear storytelling, accessible design, and friction-free donation and signup flows — all measurable in analytics so you can report on impact.


  • HOW LONG DOES A NONPROFIT WEBSITE REDESIGN TAKE?

    Most projects take 8–16 weeks depending on scope, content readiness, and approvals. 


  • WHAT PLATFORM DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR NONPROFITS?

    For small to mid-size teams, Squarespace is reliable, secure, and easy to maintain without a developer. It supports donations, events, blogs, landing pages, basic CRM integrations, and multilingual content. If you need complex custom apps or content workflows we can discuss other options such as WordPress. 


  • CAN YOU MIGRATE OUR CURRENT WEBSITE TO SQUARESPACE?

    Yes! I handle content mapping, redirects, SEO preservation (titles, meta, schema), and URL structure so you don’t lose search equity. I also clean up bloat, consolidate pages, and improve internal linking and SEO performance for the Portland Oregon market.


  • HOW MUCH DOES A NONPROFIT WEBSITE COST?

    Pricing depends on scope. Most custom site builds land between $5K–$12K, depending on the number of pages, integrations, and other needs. Smaller refresh projects — updating layouts, restructuring content, or modernizing visuals — are usually in the $3K–$5K range. I provide a transparent proposal after a quick scoping call.

  • WILL WE BE ABLE TO EDIT THE SITE OURSELVES?

    Absolutely. Most teams can update pages, add campaigns, and launch new landing pages without help though some opt for monthly maintenance packages to ease staff load. My goal is to always meet your team where they are. A hands-on training session and staff training video are included in every project. 

  • DO YOU ONLY WORK WITH PORTLAND NONPROFITS?

    No, I work with nonprofits, community orgs, and many other types of businesses all across the globe. Though, I do love working on local Portland web design projects as it’s always fun getting to know and support my neighbors!

  • HOW MUCH DOES NONPROFIT CONSULTING COST?

    Consulting engagements typically range from $10-30K depending on scope and timeline. Fractional CMO retainers start at $2-6K/month.  Every engagement is custom-scoped based on your organization's needs, budget, and goals. I'm happy to discuss options during a discovery call.


  • DO YOU WORK WITH NONPROFITS OUTSIDE OF PORTLAND?

    Yes. While I'm based in Portland and prioritize local organizations, I work with nonprofits nationally. Most consulting, strategy, and planning work happens virtually, making location less of a barrier. For projects requiring in-person facilitation (like board retreats), I'm open to travel or hybrid models depending on budget and logistics.


  • WHAT INDUSTRIES OR CAUSE AREAS DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?

    I work across cause areas — from health and human services to arts and environmental organizations. What matters most is mission alignment and organizational readiness. I'm drawn to nonprofits tackling systems-level challenges, supporting marginalized communities, and doing work that creates lasting impact. If you're unsure whether we're a fit, let's talk. I'm happy to be honest about whether I'm the right partner for your work.


  • WHAT IF WE ONLY NEED HELP WITH ONE THING—LIKE JUST FUNDRAISING OR JUST A WEBSITE?

    Absolutely. While my strength is in connecting all the pieces, I also offer standalone services. You can engage me for just fundraising strategy, just web design, just board governance, or just systems consulting. During our discovery call, we'll scope exactly what you need — nothing more, nothing less.


Mission First, Always.

Unlike large agencies with overhead or siloed freelancers, I’ve chosen to work in a model that blends both worlds. I work with clients 1:1 for small to large builds but when projects requires the full system that could benefit from different perspectives or already have some of the team in place, I love to align intentionally with other experts to deliver seamless, end-to-end solutions. 


NONPROFIT EXPERTISE

From nonprofit leadership, pro bono project support, community work, to board leadership, I understand nonprofit dynamics.


SYSTEMS FIRST THINKING

I build integrated solutions, not piecemeal fixes. I also believe in digital minimalism. Your tech stack should be easy to manage.


DIRECT ACCESS

You work with me, or the dream team we build together. No middlemen, no junior subcontractors.


FLEXIBILITY

Website design, messaging, campaigns, fundraising, grants — whatever your next growth stage demands, I've got it covered.

WHAT TO EXPECT — THE PROCESS

In this initial no-cost and no-obligation call, we'll talk vision, challenges, goals, timeline, and budget. I'll ask questions about your audience, your offers, and what's not working and what is so we can scope a clear project path together.


DISCOVERY CALL

If aligned after the discovery call, I'll send over a detailed proposal outlining scope, deliverables, timeline, and investment. Everything is transparent — what's included, what's not, and what the process looks like from start to finish. Once you're ready to move forward, you'll accept & sign the contract and will receive an invoice for a 50% deposit. I lock in your start date and get your project officially on the calendar.


PROPOSAL

We kick things off with a deep-dive live virtual meeting where I gather everything I need: brand assets, content, access to platforms, inspiration, and any existing materials. You'll receive access to your dedicated client portal during the onboarding call as well as a chance to ask any questions before we dive into the work.


ONBOARDING

This is where the magic happens. Depending on your project, this phase includes strategy, design, copywriting, buildout, or whatever we've scoped. You'll get regular updates and structured check-ins. I'll present work at key milestones for your feedback — typically 2 rounds of revisions are included per deliverable. Once designs are approved and systems are built, I move into implementation mode: launching your website, setting up automations, activating campaigns, or whatever final buildout your project requires along with a final QA audit.


PROJECT TIME!

I don't just hand you the keys and disappear. I walk you through everything — how to update your website, use your new systems, manage your tools. You'll get screen recordings, documentation, and a live training session so you feel confident running things on your own. Plus, 30 days of post-launch support is included.



HANDOFF & TRAINING

LET’S STRENGTHEN YOUR MISSION, together

Clarity creates confidence — for your staff, your board, and your donors. Let’s connect to design a nonprofit
system that supports your mission at every level.