Designing with Purpose: CoachArt’s Website Redesign Earns Webby Honoree Award and Gains Global Recognition

As the Founder and Creative Lead at HeartSpark Design, I’ve had the privilege to be part of many inspiring projects, but I’m thrilled to share a milestone that’s particularly close to my heart.  

In 2022 we first connected with the folks at CoachArt, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of kids affected by chronic illness through arts and athletics. CoachArt sought HeartSpark Design’s expertise to elevate their brand style and rebuild its website.

Serving CoachArt’s Community First

Our goal was not just to redesign a website but to craft an online space that truly reflected CoachArt’s mission and made it even easier for families worldwide to enroll and enjoy their mentorship services. 

Working closely with Sarah Williams, Brand Manager at CoachArt, and Ashley Swanson, Front-End Developer at Bend Marketing, we embarked on a journey to transform CoachArt’s digital footprint. Our collaboration was rooted in a shared vision and driven by a passion to create a platform that not only tells CoachArt’s story but also engages and reflects their special community of youngsters. 

Highlighting Digital Innovation

The Webby Awards recognition is a testament to the creativity, dedication, and hard work of everyone involved in this project.

It highlights the power of digital innovation to amplify the reach and impact of charitable organizations. Claire Graves, President of The Webby Awards, remarked on the achievement, noting that honorees like CoachArt are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet. This accolade is a reminder of the incredible potential that lies in thoughtful and impactful web design.

As we celebrate this honor, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the team at CoachArt for letting us run with a bold and fun design, Bend Marketing for building a beautiful easy-to-use website, Hamza Ouaziz for outstanding video animation work, Patty Breech for connecting and styling back-end Salesforce systems, and the visionary panel at The Webby Awards and IADAS. This achievement is a collective one, reflecting the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to excellence that drives our work.

Collaboration & Passion Win Big

CoachArt’s website redesign has been honored in the Charitable Organizations/Nonprofit Website category at the 27th Annual Webby Awards. Recognized by The New York Times as the “Internet’s highest honor,” The Webby Awards are the epitome of digital achievement, celebrating the creative and innovative work shaping our online world.

The 2023 selection process, led by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS)—a venerable group of internet industry giants including unique leaders like Questlove and Werner Vogels—was particularly competitive, drawing nearly 14,000 entries from across the globe.

Being honored among such a diverse and talented pool of entrants underscores the impactful and innovative nature of our collaborative endeavor with CoachArt.

Nonprofits Can Win Major Awards

Looking forward, this recognition fuels our motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital design and branding for nonprofits. The CoachArt project has been a profoundly rewarding experience, showcasing the transformative impact of aligning design innovation with a meaningful cause.

But more than that—it proves that nonprofits can rock design at the award-winning level. I know awards may seem superficial, but I can see the amount of traffic that just this one award and its listing are bringing to CoachArt, and I have to believe that if we raise the level of excellence for all nonprofits that means more eyeballs on your website, which expands your reach, too. 

We didn’t set out to win an award with this website, but by staying true to CoachArt’s mission and their audience, this Webby Honoree Award has simply underscored the immense success of this ambitious project.

I encourage you to explore the newly redesigned CoachArt website and celebrate this significant milestone with them. Together, we look forward to continuing to create digital experiences for nonprofits that inspire, engage, and make a difference.

To support CoachArt’s important work or volunteer as a digital mentor for kids with chronic illness, here’s a list of all the ways you can get involved!