Inside 48in48: How Beaver Builder Helps Volunteers Build Nonprofit Websites in a Weekend

Many nonprofits struggle with the same challenge: they need a professional website but lack the budget or technical expertise to build one.

That’s where 48in48 comes in.

This global volunteer initiative brings together designers, developers, and strategists for one intense weekend. Their mission? Build 48 nonprofit websites in 48 hours using the power of marketing professionals who want to give back.

And Beaver Builder plays a crucial role in making it happen.

The Problem: Good Work, Bad Websites

As Adam Walker, Co-founder and Executive Director of 48in48, puts it, “Nonprofits notoriously do good and look bad.” And many marketing professionals want to use their talents for social good but lacked a clear way to do so.

Walker helped found 48in48 to bridge that gap, creating a structured way for skilled volunteers to help nonprofits build the digital presence they deserve.

The impact has been remarkable. Since 2015, the organization has completed 32 events, served over 1,300 nonprofits, built more than 1,300 websites, and engaged more than 7,500 volunteers. Nonprofits have reported significant increases in donations, volunteer recruitment, and overall community impact thanks to their new websites.

The 48in48 Model: Speed Meets Purpose

48in48 operates on a simple but powerful premise. Gather talented volunteers in cities worldwide. Match them with deserving nonprofits. Build functional, beautiful websites in record time.

The events happen across multiple locations. Teams work around the clock to deliver sites that nonprofits can maintain themselves long after the volunteers go home.

The goal extends beyond just launching a website. Walker emphasizes that 48in48 aims to help nonprofits “communicate more clearly, grow more quickly, and do more good in the world.”

Why Beaver Builder Works for Rapid Nonprofit Builds

When 48in48 needed to choose the right tool for their fast-paced events, Beaver Builder was the clear winner. Walker explains why:

“Beaver Builder was identified as the best front-end page builder tool for WordPress we had ever seen, with great templates to start with.”

Speed matters during a 48-hour sprint, but quality can’t suffer. Beaver Builder delivers both.

The visual editor lets teams see changes in real-time. No switching between backend and frontend views. What you see is what you get.

Training Thousands of Volunteers

One of 48in48’s biggest challenges is training volunteers who may have never used the tool before.

Beaver Builder’s intuitive interface makes this possible. “The tool’s simplicity made it the easiest for us to quickly train thousands of volunteers, who could then build amazing websites in 48 hours, even if they had never used the tool before,” Walker notes.

Volunteers are often “shocked” by how easy it is to build a website with Beaver Builder, grabbing onto the tool quickly and doing a great job. The platform’s low entry level allows everyone on a team, regardless of skill level, to get started, while offering complex features for advanced builders.

The 48-Hour Building Strategy

Walker reveals the biggest “hack” for building a website in such a short timeframe: “Starting with an existing layout and iterating on that design.”

Beaver Builder’s pre-built templates and saved rows make this strategy seamless:

Teams create a homepage layout once, then adapt it for multiple organizations. Global styling ensures brand consistency across every page. Integration with donation platforms like GiveWP or PayPal happens with minimal configuration. Contact forms, volunteer signup sections, and event calendars drop into place quickly.

Most importantly? The sites remain easy to edit after the event ends. Nonprofit staff can update content, add blog posts, and modify layouts without calling a developer.

Features That Empower Nonprofits Long-Term

A website built in 48 hours needs to last far longer. This is where Beaver Builder truly shines for the nonprofit community.

Walker emphasizes the importance of sustainability: “Because the learning curve is so small, nonprofit staff can quickly grasp how to use it, enabling them to make their own updates easily.” This focus on long-term maintenance ensures the positive impact of each new website endures for years.

Beaver Builder ensures this sustainability through several key features:

• Documentation and support: When questions arise post-event, the Beaver Builder knowledge base provides answers, and the huge enthusiastic community offers additional support.
• Intuitive editing: Staff members with no technical background can make updates confidently, exactly what nonprofits need.
• Mobile responsiveness: Every layout adapts seamlessly to phones and tablets using the responsive editor, ensuring supporters can engage from any device.
• Performance optimization: Fast load times matter for SEO and user experience. Beaver Builder’s clean code keeps sites running smoothly without constant technical intervention.
• Accessibility features: Nonprofits serve diverse communities. Beaver Builder is working hard to make it easy for users to meet accessibility requirements.

Beyond the Event: Volunteers Using Beaver Builder

The impact of 48in48 extends beyond the nonprofits served. Many volunteers discover Beaver Builder during the event and continue using it for other projects afterward. The website builder’s combination of simplicity and power makes it valuable for both charitable work and professional projects.

Walker points out that this dual benefit makes the volunteer experience even more rewarding. Professionals donate their time to help nonprofits while simultaneously learning a tool they can use in their own work.

The Ripple Effect of Better Nonprofit Websites

A functional website changes how nonprofits operate: reach more donors, recruit more volunteers, and spread awareness of their mission more effectively:

One weekend of volunteer work creates years of digital infrastructure. Beaver Builder makes that possible by removing technical barriers that would otherwise slow down the process or require ongoing paid support.

The impact extends beyond the 1,300+ nonprofits served. These organizations collectively touch thousands of lives. A better website means better outreach, which means more people helped. Increased donations mean expanded programs. More volunteer signups mean greater community engagement.

Choosing the Right Builder: Advice for Nonprofits

For nonprofits seeking a website builder, Walker offers clear guidance based on years of experience. To ensure sustainability, choose a website builder that:

• Is one of the most popular platforms (ensuring longevity and support)
• Has good designs to start with (so you’re not building from scratch)
• Has a huge and enthusiastic community (for troubleshooting and inspiration)
• Is easy to use and pick up (for staff who aren’t developers)

“Beaver Builder fits all these criteria,” Walker confirms.

Your Developer Skills Can Transform Nonprofits

Walker has encouraging words for developers considering volunteering their skills: “Don’t undervalue your skills; they are profoundly valuable to the nonprofit community. Offer your help to those who need it, and they will value it more than you can imagine.”

The skills that seem routine to experienced developers represent transformation for nonprofits struggling with outdated or nonexistent websites.

Beyond the Build: Support Team Opportunities

Not everyone can commit to a full 48-hour weekend, and that’s okay. 48in48 has expanded volunteer opportunities through specialized Support Teams that provide critical expertise throughout the event.

These roles require shorter time commitments but deliver immeasurable impact. Support Team members contribute virtually or in person across key areas:

• Search Engine Optimization – Help nonprofits get found by the communities they serve
• Quality Assurance – Ensure every site launches without technical issues
• Accessibility – Make websites usable for people with disabilities
• Help Desk (WordPress Support) – Troubleshoot issues and answer volunteer questions
• Marketing – Promote the event and help nonprofits tell their stories
• Onsite Logistics – Keep the event running smoothly for volunteers and nonprofits

Whether you’re an SEO specialist, a meticulous QA tester, or someone passionate about accessibility, there’s a place for your skills. These support roles are especially valuable for professionals who want to give back but can’t dedicate an entire weekend to building sites.

How to Volunteer With 48in48

Interested in joining a Build Team or Support Team? Check the 48in48 website for upcoming events in your area. Can’t volunteer in person? Consider sponsoring a nonprofit’s hosting or donating to the 48in48 organization itself.

Every great mission deserves a great website. Beaver Builder and 48in48 make that a reality, one nonprofit at a time.