Harrelson Center

The Client

The Harrelson Center is a nonprofit campus in Wilmington, North Carolina, dedicated to supporting and empowering a network of nonprofit partners that provide services to individuals and families in need. By offering affordable office space, shared resources, and collaborative opportunities, The Harrelson Center serves as a hub for community impact. Their work spans across various critical services, including financial assistance, housing support, job training, healthcare navigation, and more, making them an invaluable asset to the region.

The Challenge

The Harrelson Center needed a new website that could effectively showcase its extensive network of nonprofit partners while improving accessibility for those seeking assistance, donors looking to contribute, and volunteers eager to get involved. Their existing site was difficult to navigate, and lacked the necessary functionality to support their growing services. One of the biggest challenges was creating an intuitive and visually compelling user experience that would seamlessly guide multiple audiences—those in need, donors, volunteers, and nonprofit partners—toward the right resources. Additionally, the organization required robust tools to manage events, highlight success stories, facilitate donations, and centralize its vast amount of information in a structured, easy-to-use format.

The Results

Tayloe/Gray worked closely with The Harrelson Center team over the course of a year to design and develop a completely new digital experience that met their evolving needs. The new website provides a streamlined user journey, featuring an improved navigation structure, engaging visuals, and an expanded menu that ensures visitors can quickly find the information they need. A custom-built HelpHub serves as a central resource for community assistance, offering financial aid information, intake forms, and healthcare assistance details, all designed for easy access. The Nonprofit Partners Directory now highlights active campus-based and associate partners, providing a dynamic filtering system that allows users to quickly identify the organizations that can best serve their needs. Additionally, the navigational structure centralizes essential forms, blogs, and success stories, making it easier for the community to stay informed.

The new website also strengthens The Harrelson Center’s ability to drive donations and volunteer engagement. A clear and compelling Donate call-to-action is now featured prominently on the homepage, leading users to a page that outlines various giving opportunities. On-page contact forms and a "How Can We Help?" pop-up were implemented throughout the site, offering quick and direct ways for visitors to get in touch. The Events Calendar, a highly requested feature, allows both The Harrelson Center and its nonprofit partners to promote upcoming events in one centralized location, further fostering community engagement. Throughout the process, Tayloe/Gray remained committed to the project’s mission, adapting to new challenges and expanding the original scope to ensure The Harrelson Center received the best possible solution for their needs.

Explore our work at https://harrelsoncenter.org.

Client Snapshot

Custom Web Development

Brand Strategy & Development

Photography

Public Relations

Marketing Blueprint

Branding

The updated website maintains The Harrelson Center’s welcoming and community-focused brand identity while refining it to enhance user experience. Thoughtful typography, a warm yet professional color palette, and intentional imagery reflect the organization's mission of support, collaboration, and hope. Every design element was chosen to instill a sense of trust and belonging, ensuring that all visitors—whether seeking assistance or offering help—feel connected to the center’s purpose.

Design

Tayloe/Gray designed a fully customized website from the ground up, starting with in-depth wireframes to map out the complex structure required to house The Harrelson Center’s many services and nonprofit partners. Every page was meticulously designed to ensure a balance between clarity and functionality, accommodating an expanded menu and user-friendly navigation elements. The mobile-responsive design ensures a seamless experience across all devices, incorporating interactive features such as pop-ups for guided assistance, easy-to-use contact forms, and a visually engaging layout that enhances readability. The inclusion of high-impact storytelling elements, such as Stories of Hope, brings the mission of The Harrelson Center to life, fostering deeper emotional connections with visitors.

Technology

The website was built with Wordpress’ highly flexible and scalable content management system, allowing The Harrelson Center team to easily update information, add new nonprofit partners, and manage event listings. The Nonprofit Partner Directory includes a dynamic filtering system, helping users quickly locate the right services. The HelpHub and Resource Center offer intuitive content organization, ensuring that critical information is never more than a few clicks away. Integration with eTapestry provides a smooth donation process, while email marketing and newsletter signup features support ongoing engagement with donors and volunteers. By implementing these solutions, Tayloe/Gray delivered a website that not only meets The Harrelson Center’s current needs but is also equipped to grow alongside the organization’s expanding impact.