Services
Web Design and Development
Sector
Human Services
To mark World AIDS Day and their 30th anniversary, AIDS Foundation of Chicago needed more than a website refresh. They needed a digital transformation that could honor three decades of legacy while empowering the mission’s next chapter. The challenge was capturing that history and making it accessible to the diverse community AFC serves, people living with and vulnerable to HIV across Illinois and beyond. The existing digital presence couldn’t carry the weight of that story or represent the community it served.
Brand Vision
Substance created aidschicago.org, a reimagined digital experience built around people rather than statistics. The site moves beyond clinical language to elevate personal testimonials, staff stories, and community voices, using custom portrait photography and first-person narratives to put faces and names to the frontlines of HIV/AIDS advocacy. Rather than a static history, the platform tells AFC’s three-decade journey as a living narrative, carried by the voices of those who serve and those they serve.
A dynamic search function helps visitors find critical resources quickly, and refreshed navigation guides people seamlessly through services, stories, and support options. The responsive design carries that experience across every device, meeting people wherever they are.
Since launch, AFC has seen increased digital engagement and stronger fundraising results. The platform now functions as more than a showcase of AFC’s work. It’s a tool for connection, education, and empowerment, extending the mission into the digital realm and creating new pathways for healing, hope, and human connection.
