The Grateful Society: Making Donations Simple for this small Bristol charity
The Client
The Grateful Society, founded in 1758, is one of Bristol’s oldest continuously active philanthropic organisations, alongside the Anchor and Dolphin Societies. Originally established to apprentice poor boys, its charitable focus evolved over the centuries — from supporting women in childbirth to providing annuities and care for impoverished elderly ladies. Today, the Grateful Society partners with local charities and volunteer-led groups to improve the wellbeing, independence, and social connection of older people in Bristol and the surrounding area. Together with its sister societies, it raises over £300,000 annually to support care initiatives for the elderly.
The Challenge
We were tasked with redesigning The Grateful Society’s website to better meet the needs of its two key audiences — donors and beneficiaries. The previous site made it difficult for donors to find information or make contributions easily, and for beneficiary organisations to identify funding opportunities or apply for grants.
Our challenge was to create a clear, intuitive, and engaging website that reflects the Society’s long history of supporting other organisations while streamlining key user journeys.
How We Helped
We set out to simplify navigation, introduce a clean and informative homepage, and develop a searchable directory showcasing the organisations the Society funds. In addition, we replaced the existing downloadable grant application form with an online submission system, reducing administration and improving efficiency.
The new site design focuses on accessibility, professionalism, and trust – making it easier for users to donate, apply, and connect with the Society’s charitable mission.
"Please take a bow and thank your team for delivery of our new website that more than meets our expectations"
Simon Beswick, Grateful Society President 2023
