Should a Nonprofit Have a Website? (Why Social Media Isn’t Enough)

20 Nov

If your nonprofit is active on Facebook or Instagram, you may be asking: “Do we really need a website?”

The short answer: yes.

While social media is great for awareness and community building, your website is the home base of your nonprofit’s digital presence. It’s the one place you fully own—where donors, volunteers, funders, and partners can always find you.

Here’s why having a website isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential.

1. Credibility and Trust

Donors want to know your organization is real and trustworthy. A website signals legitimacy.

75% of users judge a nonprofit’s credibility based on its website design (Stanford Web Credibility Project).
Social media pages can look temporary, but a website shows permanence.

Example: Charity: Water built donor trust through a professional, transparent website that has helped them raise hundreds of millions globally.

2. Donation Capabilities

Social media can spread the word, but your website is where secure giving happens.

A dedicated donation page allows for recurring gifts, suggested amounts, and branded storytelling.
According to Nonprofit Source, recurring donors give 42% more annually than one-time donors—something social media alone can’t nurture.

3. Control Over Your Message

On Facebook or Instagram, you’re at the mercy of algorithms. But your website is your platform.

You decide how to showcase your mission.
You can use SEO so people searching on Google find you—not just those already following you.
Blogs, resources, and case studies live forever, not just 24 hours in a story.

4. Volunteer and Community Engagement

A website gives you space to share:

Event sign-up forms.
Volunteer applications.
Community updates and impact reports.

Example: Feeding America uses its website to recruit volunteers nationwide with localised sign-up forms.

5. Long-Term Growth

Social media trends change. MySpace and Vine were once huge—now they’re gone. But your website is a long-term asset you own.

It can scale as your nonprofit grows.
It helps with grants—funders often require a functioning website.
It integrates with other systems (email, donation platforms, CRMs).

So, Should a Nonprofit Have a Website?

Absolutely. Social media is important—but it should be the entry point, not the final destination. Your website is where interest turns into action: donations, sign-ups, and long-term trust.

If your nonprofit doesn’t have a website yet, start simple. Even a one-page site with your mission, donation form, and contact info is better than nothing. Over time, you can expand with impact stories, events, and resources.

Remember: a website isn’t just about looking professional—it’s about making it easy for people to support your cause.