St. Leonard’s Association – Modernizing Membership, Fundraising & Community Engagement

Client Name: St. Leonard’s Association

City, State: Ventnor City, NJ

Industry / Sector: Nonprofit / Neighborhood Association

Overview

St. Leonard’s Association is one of the oldest continuously operating homeowner associations in the United States, representing a historic and highly engaged neighborhood in Ventnor City, NJ. As membership grew and community programs modernized, the association needed a new digital presence capable of accepting donations, collecting membership fees, and selling event tickets and merchandise online, all while preserving its historical identity.

Sparkable partnered with St. Leonard’s to build a modern, user-friendly WordPress website with integrated e-commerce functionality and historically reflective visuals. We love supporting nonprofit organizations with sustainable, scalable digital tools that fuel fundraising growth and deepen community connection.

The Challenge

The association faced several core obstacles:

1. Outdated Website Structure
   Their previous platform lacked mobile responsiveness and limited opportunities to showcase community history and events
2. No Integrated E-Commerce System
   Donations, membership dues, event tickets, and merchandise had to be managed manually
3. Limited Fundraising Visibility
   The association wanted to expand its ability to collect support from both residents and alumni of the neighborhood
4. Generational Audience Gap
   Younger homeowners expected streamlined digital access, while long-time members needed intuitive navigation
5. Historical Significance to Preserve
   The site needed to pay tribute to notable homes, architecture, and decades of community stories
6. Limited budget
   The nonprofit had a limited budget and also had no members capable of creating a new website for their needs 

Our Approach

Sparkable delivered the project through strategic, phased development:

1. Discovery and UX Planning

• Created a sitemap and wireframe to serve multiple audience types
• Structured content to highlight history, events, and member benefits

2. WordPress Website Development

• Built a fully responsive site optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile
• Highlighted events, board updates, neighborhood initiatives, and key historical context

3. E-Commerce Integration

• Implemented secure online payment processing
• Enabled:
  • Membership renewals
  • Donations
  • Event ticket purchases
  • Flag, shirt, and merch sales

4. Keyword Selection and Copy Editing

• Integrated relevant search terms relating to Ventnor history and St. Leonard’s Tract
• Crafted SEO-friendly copy showcasing the neighborhood’s identity

5. Photography and Image Curation

• Curated high-resolution imagery reflecting notable homes, residents, and neighborhood charm
• Coordinated with board members to gather archival material

6. Beta Testing and Launch

• Conducted full functional review before launch
• Facilitated a secondary review post-launch to ensure smooth member transition.

7. Hosting and Ongoing Support

• Provided a full year of hosting, security, and support to ensure performance and reliability and continued to host in exchange for sponsorship of events 

Results

• Improved Fundraising Capabilities
  Members can now donate directly online and year-round, increasing revenue potential
• Streamlined Membership Management
  Automated payment processing reduces manual work for volunteers
• Increased Event Participation
  Ticketing and registration are now fully digital, improving attendance tracking
• Enhanced Community Identity
  Archival imagery, neighborhood history, and heritage content are prominently featured
• Merchandise Sales Now Scalable
  Residents can buy branded items directly from the association, supporting visibility and fundraising
• Modernized Digital Experience
  Younger and out-of-state members can engage with the neighborhood with ease
  

Key Takeaways

• Sustainable digital systems empower nonprofits
• A well-structured website expands community reach
• Integrated e-commerce offers long-term fundraising efficiency
• Historic associations benefit from modern storytelling tools

Testimonial

“Sparkable is a great partner! Sparkable has been a valuable resource helping us update and redesign our website. Many thanks to Shaun for all of your assistance. We highly recommend!” 

– Tracy Mastrogiacomo, President, St. Leonard’s Association