Website developter

Request for Proposal

THRIVE Website Re-Development

OVERVIEW

THRIVE Social Services Society is inviting proposals from qualified digital agencies to design, develop, and launch a new website that serves as both:

• A client/program-facing access point for services
• A donor-facing fundraising platform that supports fund development and community engagement

This project is a critical component of THRIVE’s next phase of growth, including:

• The launch of Foundry Westshore Capital Campaign
• The development of a sustainable, diversified fundraising program
• Expansion and reach of other THRIVE programs and services
• The strengthening of THRIVE’s community presence, accessibility, and impact storytelling

The successful proponent will deliver a modern, accessible, scalable website that supports both service navigation and revenue generation, positioning THRIVE for a multi-year capital campaign and ongoing community engagement.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

THRIVE Social Services Society delivers a broad portfolio of community-based programs supporting children, youth, families, and adults across Greater Victoria and the Westshore, including family and parenting supports, youth mental health and outreach, employment and life skills programming, and adult services. The organization is primarily service-driven, and its current digital presence reflects this, with a strong focus on helping individuals and families navigate and access services.

THRIVE is now redeveloping its current website to create a more unified and strategic digital experience that supports both service access and fundraising. This includes consolidating the existing RiseUp website into the main THRIVE site as a dedicated landing page, and integrating a Foundry campaign landing page.

While THRIVE delivers many programs, only a subset are currently positioned for both self-referral for clients and active fundraising for donor investment, including RiseUp Youth Employment, ThriveU, Parenting Programs, and Foundry Westshore.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

As THRIVE is making this internal transition to fund development and program delivery, the new website must offer:

1. Dual-Purpose Experience

Create two seamless but distinct user journeys:

• Donors & Funders looking to give
• Clients, Youth & Families looking for supports

2. Fundraising Enablement

• Support major gifts, campaigns, and community giving
• Clearly communicate case for support (especially Foundry)
• Enable strong storytelling and impact reporting

3. Program Access & Navigation

• Provide clear, low-barrier pathways to services
• Reflect trauma-informed and youth-friendly UX
• Reduce confusion and improve service uptake

4. Campaign Readiness

• Be structured to support a capital campaign and campaign microsites
• Enable rapid deployment of campaign content and landing pages

5. Internal Usability

• Easy for staff to update (low reliance on developers)
• Modular and scalable architecture

TARGET AUDIENCES

The website must effectively serve:

1. Primary Audiences: Potential Clients
   • Youth (ages 12–24)
   • Families and caregivers
   • Community members seeking services
2. Secondary Audiences: Potential Funders
   • Individual donors (major, mid-level, community)
   • Corporate partners and sponsors
   • Foundations and grantors
3. Tertiary Audiences: Community Stakeholders
   • Government and system partners
   • Volunteers and community stakeholders

INSPIRATION & REFERENCE WEBSITES

To support proponents in understanding THRIVE’s vision for its future website, the following examples are provided as reference points for quality, functionality, and user experience.

• Power to Be •Jigsaw •BBBS Central Vancouver Island •Family Services Vancouver
• BCG Ottawa •Headspace • Canuck Place • Coolaid

SCOPE OF WORK

The successful proponent will deliver a full end-to-end solution.

1. Discovery & Strategy

• Stakeholder engagement (staff, leadership, potentially youth/client lens)
• User journey mapping (donor + client pathways)
• Information architecture and sitemap
• Content strategy aligned with fundraising and program access

2. Content Strategy & Copy writing

• Develop audience-specific content strategy
• Lead copywriting for the full website
• Ensure tone is: Accessible, inclusive, and trauma-informed (clients), and Compelling and impact-driven (donors)
• Collaborate with THRIVE staff to gather and validate content

3. Visual Design & Brand Application

• Apply and adapt THRIVE’s visual identity for digital
• Develop a modern, cohesive design approach that support navigation and usability
• Apply design techniques that enhance engagement in content
• Identify, recommend and apply imagery and visual approaches

4. UX/UI Design

• Wireframes for key page templates
• Fully designed mockups (desktop + mobile)
• Accessibility-first design (WCAG 2.1 AA minimum)
• Trauma-informed and inclusive UX approach

5. Website Development

• CMS-based website (WordPress, Webflow, or equivalent recommended)
• Modular content blocks for internal flexibility
• Mobile-first, high-performance build

6. Core Functionality

Fund development

• Donation form integration across website (e.g., Zeffy/Salesforce)
• Campaign landing pages
• Donor journeys, calls to action, conversion, and stewardship • Storytelling and impact pages

Program & Service Navigation

• Clear program pathways (by need, age, service type)
• Intake or referral direction (not necessarily full intake system) • Resource library and content hub

Content & Engagement

• Blog/news/stories functionality with newsletter sign up
• Events (optional)
• Video and storytelling integration in visuals

7. Additional Considerations

• SEO optimization
• Analytics (Google Analytics, Tag Manager)
• Security and privacy compliance

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Sitemap and user journeys
• Website copy
• Design system and page templates
• Fully developed website
• CMS training for staff
• Launch support and bug fixes

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Be fully responsive and mobile-first
• Meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
• Be secure and privacy compliant
• Enable non-technical staff updates
• Deliver strong performance and load speed

TIMELINE (Proposed)

RFP Issued

April 27, 2026

Questions Deadline

May 4, 2026

Proposal Submission Deadline

May 27, 2026

Vendor Selection & Notification

June 17, 2026

Project Kick Off*

July 6, 2026

Design & Development

July 6, 2026 – September 21, 2026

Content Finalization

September 21, 2026 – October 2, 2026

Website Launch

October 13, 2026

*Please note that the dates following the kick off are not set in stone and we would like to see recommended timelines included in proposals

BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION

THRIVE is seeking proposals in the range of: $15,000 – $25,000 CAD*

*Hosting fees should not be included in the budget proposal; any related third party fees required to execute the scope services should be noted and included in the proposed breakdown.

Proposals must be submitted by May 27, 2026 by email to development@thrivevictoria.org. Late submissions will not be considered. THRIVE will complete its review and notify the selected proponent by June 17, 2026, with contract negotiations to follow immediately thereafter.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The contract for this project will be awarded based on several criteria of which effective use of budget is only one. Following are the criteria that will be considered in relation to the selection of a vendor:

• Proponent qualifications
• Samples of work
• Ability of the agency to complete this work
• Recommendations for web & design innovation
• Proposed price of providing the services required
• References