cultured books foundationA community-rooted, funder-ready website for a South St. Petersburg literary arts organization building toward something permanent.
TypeNonprofit / Literary Arts
rolesWeb Strategy
Web Design
Web Development
live siteThe Overview
Cultured Books Literacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in South St. Petersburg, Florida. Through year-round literary arts programming for children, youth, and families, they strengthen reading culture in their community and are actively building toward a permanent children's literary arts museum. With partnerships spanning Florida Humanities, the Woodson African American Museum, and the St. Petersburg Library System, the organization was growing fast and needed a website that kept pace.
The Challenge
Cultured Books had real momentum: an annual literacy festival, youth workshops, a community archive, and a long-term museum development vision. But their digital presence wasn't reflecting any of it clearly. The site needed to serve two audiences with very different needs simultaneously. Community members needed to find programs, get involved, and feel welcomed. Funders and institutional partners needed to quickly understand the scope of the work, see organizational credibility, and find pathways to collaborate. Writing to both without losing either was the design problem at the center of everything.
The Strategy & ApproachWe led with a full web strategy engagement before building a single page. That process mapped the organization's audiences, clarified the site's hierarchy, and defined the narrative thread connecting all of Cultured Books' work: a community-rooted organization with a clear programming record and a larger vision already in motion.
The site architecture reflects that. Three distinct pillars structure the homepage: public literary programs, community-based documentation through the archive, and museum development. Each one speaks to a different level of engagement, from a first-time visitor looking for an event to a funder evaluating long-term investment. Navigation is organized around action, with clear pathways to programs, volunteering, sponsorship, and giving built into every major section.
The design keeps the organization's warmth at the center. Vibrant community photography, approachable typography, and a clean, editorial layout communicate professionalism without distancing the community the foundation actually serves.
what they’re saying"Kia took the time to really understand what we were looking for and made sure every detail reflected who we are as an organization. From start to finish, the process was smooth and thorough, she delivered a website that captures our growth, clearly conveys what we do, and makes it easy for people to get involved. Thank you!"
– Lorielle J. Hollaway | Founder & Dreamer
Final Homepage
The Design Solution
The result is a multi-page Squarespace site that functions as both a community hub and a credibility-building tool. Custom CSS elevated the design beyond platform defaults, including styled card components with eyebrow labels that organize the homepage's three pillars with visual clarity and intentional hierarchy. A scrolling partner and supporter logo strip communicates institutional backing at a glance. Email signup is embedded in two locations, keeping audience growth built into the experience.
Full web strategy document delivered prior to build, aligning site architecture to organizational goals and dual-audience needs
Three-pillar homepage structure giving equal visibility to programs, the community archive, and museum development
Dedicated pages for sponsorship, volunteering, press, and giving, creating multiple low-friction entry points for different visitor types
Custom Squarespace CSS delivering a design finish that reflects the organization's cultural identity and exceeds the platform's defaults
Email list capture built into the homepage and footer to support ongoing audience growth