Client: LESD Educational Foundation (LESDEF)
URL: lesdedfoundation.org
Services Provided: Web Design, Web Development, Logo Design, WordPress CMS
Overview
The Litchfield Elementary School District Educational Foundation (LESDEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports the students, teachers, and staff of the Litchfield Elementary School District. The organization needed a fresh digital presence that was clean, professional, and community-driven—with a user-friendly website and a modern logo that reflected its mission and values.
Goals
- Create a responsive, accessible, and easy-to-navigate website.
- Clearly communicate LESDEF’s mission, initiatives, and events.
- Make it easy for users to donate, get involved, or learn more.
- Design a logo that feels modern, educational, and community-centric.
- Integrate content management through WordPress for easy updates by LESDEF staff.
Design Approach
Branding & Logo Design
The logo was designed to reflect LESDEF’s focus on education and community. I combined an open book and leaf motif to symbolize both learning and growth, key themes in the foundation’s mission. The color palette includes vibrant greens and calming blues—conveying trust, growth, and educational excellence.
- Fonts: Clean, sans-serif typography for modern readability.
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Color Scheme:
- Green – symbolizes growth and community support
- Blue – reflects trust, stability, and education
- Logo Usage: Designed for versatility, working well across digital and print formats, including signage, apparel, and social media.
Website Design
The web design focused on approachability and clarity, making it easy for donors, parents, and community partners to engage. Key features include:
- Homepage: Welcoming hero section, mission overview, recent news, and call-to-action buttons for donating or getting involved.
- About Page: Detailed description of the foundation’s mission, leadership, and history.
- Events Section: Highlighted events like the Annual Golf Tournament with blog-style recaps and upcoming registration links.
- Donate Page: Integrated donation options with clear call-to-actions.
- Mobile-First Design: Fully responsive layout that works seamlessly across all devices.
- Accessibility: ADA-conscious design with clear contrast, semantic structure, and accessible navigation.
Development Process
I built the site using WordPress as the CMS for easy ongoing maintenance. Custom blocks and post types were created for:
- Event Management: Dynamic content blocks to showcase past and future events.
- Blog/News: Easily updatable news posts and event recaps.
- Custom Forms: Contact and volunteer sign-up forms using WPForms.
- Donation Integration: Embedded donation functionality via a secure third-party service or plugin.
The backend is designed with simplicity in mind so that LESDEF staff can confidently update pages, add news, or create new event pages without needing technical support.
Results
The launch of lesdedfoundation.org gave LESDEF a strong digital presence that reflects the professionalism and heart behind their work. It now serves as a hub for donors, volunteers, and the community to connect with and support local education.
Feedback from both internal stakeholders and the community has been overwhelmingly positive, and the new branding and website are already helping LESDEF strengthen outreach, visibility, and fundraising efforts.