Project Overview
This project involved building a WordPress site for a nonprofit organization that supports students from underrepresented communities in higher education. The site needed to manage a large number of scholarship listings, provide resources for students, alumni, and donors, and showcase success stories and organizational updates through a blog and news section.
The Challenge
The organization needed a way to manage and display dozens of scholarships in an easily searchable format, while also maintaining the ability to update and add new opportunities without technical assistance.
Beyond scholarships, the site needed multiple forms for student and alumni engagement and press outreach. The design and content also needed to stay visually fresh over time to reflect ongoing activity and growth.
The Solution
I built the site in WordPress, adapting WooCommerce to function as a scholarship catalog rather than a traditional store. Each scholarship entry is displayed as a catalog item with detailed information and application links, which the organization’s staff can update independently through the WordPress dashboard.
The site also features numerous pages supporting students, alumni, and donors. Using Ninja Forms, I built several custom forms, including image upload functionality for the Student of the Month and Alumni Outreach programs, as well as donation forms for supporters.
To bring the organization’s story to life, I implemented a timeline plugin to showcase its history and added an interactive graphic that guides students through the college application and success process. The site also includes a blog for news, press releases, and student spotlights, helping the organization highlight ongoing achievements.
I continue to provide ongoing site edits, design updates, and content refreshes, ensuring the site stays modern and aligned with the organization’s needs.
Key Features
Built a custom WordPress site for a nonprofit scholarship organization
Adapted WooCommerce to serve as a scholarship catalog
Developed multiple custom forms using Ninja Forms with image upload support
Integrated a timeline plugin to present the organization’s history
Added an interactive student resource graphic for college application guidance
Set up a blog for student stories, press releases, and updates
Provide ongoing maintenance, content updates, and design refreshes.
Results
The new WordPress site gives the organization full control over its scholarship listings and student engagement tools. Staff can easily add or update scholarships, publish news, and highlight featured students without developer assistance.
The site continues to evolve with updated visuals, new graphics, and seasonal content changes — remaining an active and engaging resource for students and alumni.
Takeaway
This project shows how WordPress and WooCommerce can be adapted for mission-driven organizations, turning a traditional e-commerce setup into a flexible content management system for scholarships and student outreach.
Through ongoing updates and thoughtful customization, the site remains a living platform that celebrates educational achievement and empowers future leaders, and connects the organization’s community year-round.
