Unbound empowers more families to overcome poverty with Sitecore

Unbound partners with families living in poverty, providing financial support to help them achieve self-sufficiency and realize their potential. Rated A+ by CharityWatch and highly ranked by Charity Navigator, Candid, and GreatNonprofits, Unbound channels funds raised through sponsorship programs directly to families, empowering them to invest in education, home improvements, or small businesses.

Traditionally, Unbound’s donor communications relied heavily on paper, including mailed letters, printed receipts, and phone-based sponsor experiences. To enhance sponsor engagement, reduce costs, and direct more funds to families in need, Unbound decided to expand its digital approach. The organization also aims to attract a younger generation of sponsors by building stronger digital capabilities.

Since 2009, Unbound has trusted Sitecore solutions to power its website. In 2023, the organization upgraded to Sitecore XP as part of its digital transformation. This upgrade was completed seamlessly, with zero downtime, ensuring uninterrupted user experiences and safeguarding the continuity of online donations.

In December 2023, Unbound introduced a new feature powered by Sitecore XP that allows supporters to explore its ‘Agents of Change’ proposals and directly fund initiatives they are passionate about. These proposals represent small, local projects with the potential to create meaningful community transformation.

Using Sitecore, Unbound delivers dynamic content tailored to website users and can update it rapidly. This capability is crucial since 90% of the sponsor experience now occurs online. Sponsors can access video messages from sponsored families and receive regular updates that deepen engagement. The platform also personalizes content. For example, users interested in education will see information about the scholarship program, while those drawn to community development are presented with details on Agents of Change projects. During emergencies, such as natural disasters, Unbound can swiftly create and launch campaigns to raise funds for those in need.

Unbound continues to invest in a digital-first approach. In 2024, it introduced a QR code for its appeals process, enabling digital sign-ups, and added a Zendesk-powered chatbot to its website. The organization has also launched SMS campaigns with direct links to its website, making it as simple as possible for supporters to donate.

With its new website built on Sitecore, Unbound delivers digital experiences that resonate with donors and sponsors. The organization’s website welcomes one million visits annually, offering each user a personalized experience - whether they are looking to sponsor a family, learn more about Unbound’s activities, or contribute to an Agents of Change proposal. Since its inception, the Agents of Change program has funded more than 2,200 initiatives. In 2023 alone, 543 community improvement projects were completed across 15 countries, supported by more than $522,000 in grant funding.

Using Sitecore XP also enhances internal operations. The platform empowers the marketing team to independently update web pages without relying on developers. This streamlines workflows, enables faster updates, and allows developers to focus on more complex projects.

By combining cost savings from its digital-first approach with stronger engagement, Unbound is able to reach new audiences, boost fundraising efforts, and support more families in need.