Client: DC Fiscal Policy Institute
Reimagining a complex policy website to make research more accessible, navigable, and impactful.
Duration
24 Weeks
Project Year
2026
Sector(s)
Non-Profit, Policy
The Challenge
The DC Fiscal Policy Institute maintains a vast and growing library of policy research, reports, and analysis. Over time, the website had become difficult to navigate, making it challenging for users to quickly find and engage with critical information.
With multiple audiences—including policymakers, journalists, advocates, and community members—the site needed to support very different user needs while presenting complex content in a clear and accessible way.
At the same time, the internal team required a flexible and efficient system for managing and organizing content.
This wasn’t just a redesign—it was a restructuring of how an entire body of work is experienced online.
PROJECT SCOPE
- Website strategy and information architecture
- Full UX and visual design system
- Custom WordPress development with custom fields
- Resource library restructuring and taxonomy development
- Advanced filtering system
- Responsive design and accessibility best practices
- Backend optimization for internal content management
Toolkit & Skills Used
- Website Design
- Website Development
- Art Direction
- Project Management
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Site Speed Optimization
- Search Engine Optimization
- Accessibility Best Practices
Our Approach
We began with a deep dive into the site’s existing structure and content, identifying opportunities to simplify navigation and create clearer pathways across key issue areas.
From there, we developed a streamlined information architecture designed to scale—ensuring that both current and future content could be easily organized and accessed.
On the front end, we focused on clarity and usability. Policy content can be dense, so we designed layouts that support scanning, readability, and quick comprehension without sacrificing depth.
A major component of the build was the implementation of a dynamic resource filtering system using DiviMachine. This allows users to quickly sort and locate content by topic, issue area, and type—turning what was once a static archive into an interactive, user-friendly experience.
On the backend, we created a flexible system using custom post types and structured fields, giving the DCFPI team greater control over how content is published, categorized, and maintained over time.
THE RESULTS
The new site delivers a significantly improved user experience, making it easier for visitors to navigate complex content and quickly find relevant research.
Key outcomes include:
- A clear and intuitive navigation system across issue areas
- A powerful, user-friendly resource library with advanced filtering
- Improved readability and accessibility across all devices
- A scalable foundation that supports ongoing content growth
- A streamlined backend experience for the internal team
The result is a website that not only reflects the depth of DCFPI’s work, but actively supports its mission—making policy research more accessible, actionable, and impactful.
View live site: dcfpi.org
Featured Highlights
Website Design
Before
After
Digital Marketing
Print Design
Hyphenate has been wonderful to work with on our website design and maintenance. They are so responsive and helpful, tackling issues small and large, move efficiently, and problem solve with smart solutions. I ask for support and they deliver and our website looks and works much better because of them! I trust them and recommend their high quality work.
Nikki Metzgar, Communications Director, DCFPI.org
LET'S BUILD TOGETHER!
Tell us about your project
Book a FREE 30 minute consultation.
We will go over your goals and problems that you're facing and see how we can help you.
We believe in building long-lasting, meaningful and productive relationships and would love to meet you to see if we are a good fit.
Read some client testimonials here.