Application Guide
How to Apply for UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Web Designer
at Blockchain & Climate Institute
🏢 About Blockchain & Climate Institute
The Blockchain & Climate Institute uniquely combines emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, and IoT with climate action, positioning itself at the intersection of tech innovation and environmental sustainability. As a volunteer-driven organization, it offers the chance to contribute to meaningful climate solutions while gaining experience in a cutting-edge, mission-focused environment.
About This Role
This Web Designer role involves designing and updating the BCI's WordPress website, creating dynamic pages for events and campaigns, and ensuring visual consistency across all web content. It's impactful because your designs will directly communicate BCI's mission to global audiences, translating complex climate-tech concepts into engaging visual narratives that drive awareness and action.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a briefing from the Head of Communications to align on upcoming campaign visuals, followed by designing wireframes in Figma for a new WordPress module. You'd then collaborate with developers to implement designs, troubleshoot any visual issues, and ensure pages are responsive and accessible, while also updating event pages to keep the website dynamic and engaging.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Blockchain & Climate Institute Is Looking For
- Has a portfolio showcasing web design projects, ideally with nonprofit, policy, or climate/tech themes, demonstrating an ability to make complex topics visually accessible
- Is proficient in Figma, Adobe XD, or Canva Pro, with a strong grasp of UI/UX principles, mobile-first design, and WordPress as a CMS
- Can interpret communications briefs from the Head of Communications and editorial team, turning strategic messaging into compelling visual experiences
- Is collaborative, detail-oriented, and passionate about aligning design with branding consistency, accessibility, and responsiveness
📝 Tips for Applying to Blockchain & Climate Institute
Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects related to nonprofits, climate, tech, or policy, and include case studies that show your process from brief to final design
In your resume, explicitly mention experience with WordPress and your preferred design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, or Canva Pro), and provide examples of responsive or accessible designs
Research BCI's current website and recent campaigns, and in your application, suggest one specific, actionable improvement (e.g., enhancing event page layouts or accessibility features)
Emphasize any volunteer or unpaid experience, as this role is unpaid, and highlight your motivation to contribute to climate action through design
Demonstrate your collaborative skills by describing past work with developers, communications teams, or in briefing settings, as this role involves cross-team coordination
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express genuine passion for BCI's mission of using blockchain and AI for climate action, and explain why you want to volunteer your design skills specifically for this cause", "Highlight specific examples from your portfolio that align with BCI's needs, such as designing for WordPress, creating event pages, or working on nonprofit projects", 'Discuss your ability to interpret communications briefs and collaborate with teams, referencing past experiences where you turned strategic goals into visual designs', "Propose one idea for improving BCI's web presence, like enhancing visual narratives for campaigns or boosting accessibility, to show proactive thinking"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore BCI's current website on WordPress, noting its structure, design elements, and any recent events or campaigns to understand their visual style and gaps
- → Review BCI's publications, blog posts, or social media to grasp their key messaging on blockchain, AI, IoT, and climate action, which will inform your design alignment
- → Look into the broader climate-tech and nonprofit sectors to see how similar organizations use web design, and identify trends or best practices you could bring to BCI
- → Investigate BCI's team structure, especially the Communications and editorial teams, to understand who you'll collaborate with and their strategic goals
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic portfolio without tailoring it to show projects relevant to nonprofits, climate, or tech; BCI looks for specific alignment with their mission
- Overlooking the unpaid, volunteer nature of the role by focusing solely on compensation or not expressing genuine interest in climate action and volunteering
- Failing to demonstrate collaboration skills or experience with WordPress and design tools in the application, as this role requires hands-on, team-oriented work
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Blockchain & Climate Institute!