MNGF Website Case Study | InnoNative Solutions

How Montana Native Growth Fund Launched a Website Built for Community Growth

Helping a Native-led nonprofit build a stronger digital foundation

When I started working with Montana Native Growth Fund (MNGF), they were not just looking for a website. They needed a digital presence that reflected the work they were already doing in Native communities through lending, financial education, and mentorship.

That kind of mission deserves more than a basic template or a site that just checks a box. It needed to feel trustworthy, accessible, and professional while still staying grounded in the community it serves.

For me, this project was about building something practical and meaningful. The goal was not just to make the organization look better online. It was to create a site that could actually support their work, make information easier to access, and give MNGF a stronger foundation for growth.

Project Snapshot

• Client: Montana Native Growth Fund
• Industry: Nonprofit / Native CDFI
• Services: Website design, website development, CMS setup, content structure
• Stack: Next.js, Sanity CMS, Salesforce integration
• Focus: Accessibility, trust, resource access, long-term scalability

The Challenge

Before the new website, MNGF had valuable programs and resources, but no clear central hub to bring everything together.

Important information was spread across PDFs, documents, and word of mouth. That made it harder for community members to quickly find what they needed. It also made it harder for donors, partners, and outside organizations to clearly understand MNGF’s impact and the full scope of its work.

The challenge was not only to make the site look better. It had to solve a few real problems at once:

• Create a clearer path for people looking for loan information and resources
• Give MNGF a stronger public-facing presence
• Make room for success stories and educational content
• Build something the team could continue growing over time

Just as important, the website needed to feel welcoming and aligned with the organization’s identity rather than looking generic or overly corporate.

The Approach

I built the site using Next.js and Sanity CMS. That gave us a strong balance between performance and flexibility. The public-facing site could stay fast and modern, while the team would still have a manageable way to update content and grow the site over time.

The technical stack mattered, but the bigger focus was making sure the structure and design supported MNGF’s mission.

Branding and Visual Direction

MNGF already had a clear brand direction, including a color palette built around Pantone 330, 124, and black, along with professional typography. My job was to take those pieces and turn them into a digital experience that felt polished, trustworthy, and culturally grounded.

The design needed to feel professional enough for funders and partners, while still being approachable for the people in the community who rely on MNGF’s services.

Content Structure

One of the biggest priorities was organizing the content in a way that made the site easier to use.

Loan information, educational resources, and important calls to action were brought forward so visitors would not have to dig through scattered documents or unclear navigation. The structure was built to support both immediate needs and long-term growth.

That included space for:

• Loan and program information
• Financial education resources
• Future blog and resource content
• Success stories that help show real community impact

Key Features

The site was designed to do more than present information. It also needed to support action.

Features included:

• An online loan form connected to Salesforce
• A content structure built for future resource expansion
• Space for stories and updates that highlight MNGF’s work
• A CMS setup that makes content updates easier moving forward

This mattered because the site needed to serve multiple audiences at once, from community members looking for support to partners and donors looking for credibility and proof of impact.

Accessibility and Usability

Accessibility was part of the build from the start. The goal was to create a site that works well for a wide range of users, not just one ideal visitor.

That meant putting real thought into layout, readability, structure, and usability so the site would be easier to navigate and more inclusive for the community it serves.

What I Built

To give MNGF a stronger digital foundation, I built:

• A modern marketing website tailored to MNGF’s mission
• A flexible CMS for managing site content and future updates
• A clearer navigation structure for resources, services, and educational content
• An online loan application path connected to Salesforce
• A scalable foundation for future stories, blog posts, and community updates

This was not just about launching a website. It was about creating a platform they could continue using as the organization grows.

The Result

The finished website gave MNGF a stronger and more organized digital presence that better reflects the work they are already doing offline.

Instead of pointing people to scattered files, staff can now direct visitors to a clear, central website experience at nativegrowthfund.org. The site is more streamlined, easier to navigate, and built to grow alongside the organization.

One of the biggest improvements is that MNGF now has a place to more clearly share its story. That includes not only program information, but also success stories and educational content that show the real impact of the organization’s work in Native communities.

That matters for the people they serve, but it also matters for donors, funders, and partners who want to understand where their support is going and why the work matters.

Why This Project Mattered to Me

This project was about more than building pages and writing code.

It was a reminder that the right digital tools can strengthen the work already happening in our communities. When an organization like MNGF has a strong online presence, it becomes easier for people to find help, understand available resources, and connect with the mission.

A good website does not solve every problem on its own, but it can remove friction, build trust, and create momentum. For nonprofits and community-focused organizations, that can make a real difference.

Final Thoughts

A lot of organizations settle for a website that simply exists. But for groups doing meaningful work, that is not enough.

The right website should support the mission behind the organization. It should make information easier to access, create trust with the people visiting the site, and give the organization room to grow over time.

That was the goal with Montana Native Growth Fund, and I’m proud to have helped build something that supports their work in a practical way.

If your organization is doing important work but your website is not keeping up, that is something worth fixing. A website should not just help you be online. It should help you move forward.