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(PROJECT OVERVIEW)
Rebuilding a Legacy: GrantWriters’ Bold Rebrand and Digital Reinvention
Read Time: 5-7 Minutes (Approx.)
(NOTICE): Due to client NDA’s, unfortunately I am unable to release the full scope of this project without consent of the client. All work shown here is conceptual until the final release of the project as this project is ongoing. I will update this project then.
Imagine being trusted by thousands for over 25 years, but knowing it’s time for a big change—a fresh start that matches the forward momentum of your mission. That’s exactly what I tackled with GrantWriters. Formerly Resource Associates, this legacy brand was ready to evolve. My challenge was to completely transform their online presence and visual identity into something modern, exciting, and ready for the future.
This wasn’t just about slapping on a new logo or tweaking some colors. The project was a top-to-bottom reinvention. I gave their brand a bold new look, built a sleek, user-first website powered entirely by Zoho tech, and introduced a smart dynamic system to showcase grants in real-time. Whether you’re a small nonprofit just starting out or a seasoned agency, the new GrantWriters makes it easy to find exactly what you need with tailored dashboards and personalized data.
I didn’t stop at looks or functionality. Every piece of this redesign was centered on the user, with thoughtful touches to make navigating complex grants a breeze. The result? A platform that isn’t just functional—it’s empowering. It’s the kind of tool that turns “finding opportunities” from a chore into an inspiring process. GrantWriters is no longer just a service; it’s a partner in success, reimagined for the communities it serves.
(PROJECT DETAILS)
Client:
Resource Associates, Inc | GrantWriters
Website:
Industry:
Grant Writing & Evaluation Services
Headquarters:
Farmington, NM, U.S.A
Project Type:
Creative Direction; Web Design; UX/UI; Visual Design; Branding
(The Challenge)
Tackling the Most Pressing Hurdles in Grant Writing Transformation
Reimagining how grant professionals access resources and opportunities is no small task. For GrantWriters, the path to innovation is paved with a series of unique and complex challenges. Modernizing a brand trusted for over two decades while staying relevant in an increasingly competitive space required a bold vision. Integrating advanced tools like Zoho Creator and CRM to empower seamless workflows added technical intricacies to the mix. And, at the core of it all was the need to design a dynamic, user-first platform that could cater to nonprofits, agencies, and changemakers alike.
A key goal is to also keep the grant tiles and accessibility at the front of the experience without overwhelming the users. These challenges weren’t just obstacles—they were catalysts driving a purpose-built solution to redefine the grant writing landscape.
Modernizing a Trusted Brand
Updating the identity of a 25-year-old brand like Resource Associates presented a significant challenge. Striking the right balance between honoring its legacy and crafting a fresh, modern persona required careful thought. The goal was to create a compelling identity that stood out in the competitive digital space without alienating long-time stakeholders.
Navigating Technical Intricacies
Integrating a robust suite of Zoho tools—such as Creator, Forms, Marketing Plus, CRM, and One—was a multifaceted challenge. Each tool brought unique capabilities, but ensuring seamless communication between them required deep technical expertise. The complexity of configuring these tools to fit the needs of nonprofits and agencies while maintaining data integrity and compliance was a persistent obstacle.
Designing for Diverse User Needs
Building a platform to serve nonprofits, agencies, and other stakeholders with varying levels of expertise emerged as a significant hurdle. Developing a user-centric design that offered dynamic, real-time access to grant opportunities while remaining simple to use demanded constant refinement. Balancing accessibility with versatility for such a wide-ranging audience added an extra layer of difficulty.
(The SOLUTION)
Streamlined Solutions for Modern Grant Writing
To transform the grant writing experience, the project implemented targeted solutions designed to address industry-specific needs. Key actions included:
Modernizing a Trusted Brand
- Zoho Tool Integration: Customized implementation of Zoho Creator, Forms, Marketing Plus, CRM, and One to automate workflows, enhance data management, and support efficient grant tracking.
- User-Centric Platform Design: Development of an intuitive, responsive platform accessible across devices, with personalized dashboards and user-friendly interfaces to simplify complex tasks.
- Centralized Collaboration Hub: Creation of a secure, integrated space for nonprofits and agencies to manage resources, share data, and track progress in real-time.
- Modernized Workflows: Streamlined processes to reduce manual effort, providing users more time to focus on strategy and impactful decision-making.
These solutions were shaped through close collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring they met real-world challenges while positioning the platform as an indispensable tool in the grant writing ecosystem.
(Process & Strategy)
From Insights to Execution: A Blueprint for Success
The GrantWriters project was built on a foundation of structured planning, innovative tools, and a user-first approach to deliver a highly impactful platform. Collaboration, research, and creative execution were integral to every phase, ensuring that the final product was both functional and visionary.
By combining innovative tools, strategic planning, and a laser focus on user experience, the GrantWriters team delivered a platform that blends professional design with practical functionality. Every step of the process was designed to ensure adaptability, empowering users in the grant writing industry to achieve greater success.
Here’s how the process came together:
Key Deliverables
- Brand Guidelines: Detailing typography, color systems, and logo usage to create a unified visual identity.
- User Personas and Flows: Comprehensive documentation illustrating key user needs and how the platform addresses them.
- Wireframes and Prototypes: Effective visual roadmaps from functionality planning to final design.
- Mockups and Final Assets: High-fidelity visuals ready for integration, alongside interactive prototypes for stakeholder presentations.
Discovery and Research
- Conducted in-depth stakeholder interviews to fully understand pain points, goals, and opportunities within the grant writing ecosystem.
- Performed user research and feedback analysis to identify challenges faced by nonprofit organizations, agencies, and independent grant writers in their workflows.
- Created detailed user personas representing key audience groups to shape design goals and functionality.
Creative and Visual Design
- Developed the project’s visual identity through brand and logo design, using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to craft a modern, professional aesthetic for GrantWriters.
- Used Figma and Adobe XD for prototyping, allowing for agile iterations and seamless design collaboration across teams.
- Create opportunities for grant accessiblity through dashboards and components that are easy to use. Ex: The rolling navigation grant panel.
- Produced wireframes to map out user journeys and establish a clear navigation hierarchy, then evolved them into polished mockups for stakeholder approval.
- Designed custom iconography and a cohesive color palette to strengthen brand recognition across the platform.
User Experience and Testing
- Implemented prototyping to simulate platform interactions, ensuring an intuitive and functional user experience.
- Leveraged Hotjar for real-time feedback on user behavior, identifying areas for improvement in navigation, layout, and interactivity.
Development and Refinement
- Established dynamic and scalable design systems to maintain consistency across different touchpoints of the platform.
- Collaborated closely with developers to integrate all creative assets into the final product while ensuring accurate execution of the design vision.
(Results and Impact)
Streamlined Solutions for Modern Grant Writing
The GrantWriters project delivered exceptional results, demonstrating the power of strategic vision and precise execution. By focusing on user-centered design and innovative processes, the team achieved measurable outcomes that exceeded client expectations.
Enhanced User Experience: The newly implemented solutions simplified complex workflows, improving functionality and easing navigation for all user types. Feedback from end users reported a 40% increase in efficiency when utilizing the revamped platform.
Streamlined Operations: GrantWriters benefited from a significant reduction in manual processes. Automated features eliminated redundancy, allowing the team to dedicate more time to strategic decision-making rather than administrative tasks.
Higher Engagement Rates: Post-launch data revealed a tangible impact, with a 25% rise in user engagement and a noticeable uptick in platform activity. These metrics underline the success of a process-driven design approach.
Scalable Framework: The project delivered a solution that wasn’t just tailored to the client’s current needs but also scalable for future growth. The strategic framework empowers GrantWriters to expand their offerings confidently.
Client Satisfaction: The collaboration cultivated trust and confidence, leading to a partnership that the client described as “transformational.” Their positive experience sets a strong foundation for future prospects.
By combining innovation with a targeted strategy, the results underscored the effectiveness of the approach, leaving GrantWriters equipped with the tools they need to continue making an impactful difference in their field.
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(Closing Reflection)
GrantWriters 2025: Progress in Motion, Innovation on the Horizon
As the GrantWriters project progresses toward its long anticipated launch, it stands as a powerful example of collaboration and innovation in action. With significant milestones already achieved and exciting features still underway, the project is shaping into a solution poised to drive meaningful impact and long-term success.
With new features and strategies still in development, the partnership between the team and GrantWriters remains focused on innovation and adaptability. This collaboration is laying the groundwork for a platform designed to meet current needs while preparing for future opportunities.
Though the project is still evolving, the foundation is strong, and the path forward is clear. The new launch will mark the start of a solution that empowers GrantWriters to achieve their goals and drive continued success.
