SOCIAL IMPACT DESIGN STUDIO

Premium design to power your world-changing mission

A book mockup embodying Acton Circle’s role as a nonprofit design agency, social impact design firm, and social change design studio dedicated to empowering communities.
This OOCF presentation deck designed by Acton Circle showcases our social impact design firm's creative strategies that empower organizations and drive positive change.
Acton Circle designed this CORA “Signs of a Health Partner” flyer to help promote community health and inspire social change, following our mission as a social impact design studio.
Acton Circle designed and created a microsite for Tides to feature their interactive annual impact report, showcasing our innovative approach as a nonprofit design agency and social impact design firm dedicated to driving social change.

We’re Acton Circle, the go-to social impact design firm

Since 2019, our creative agency for nonprofits and purpose-driven companies has transformed 50+ organizations from “We know it needs work” to “People can't stop sharing our materials.” 

(That's the power of great design.)

  • Emmett Marsh

    DESIGN DIRECTOR

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

    Blue Clover company logo in the color blue
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    Breast Cancer Prevention Partners logo in purple
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    Easy Bay Community Foundation logo in black
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    Making Waves Academy logo in blue and teal
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    Making Waves Education Foundation logo in blue and teal highlighting a wave icon
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    NACCHO logo in teal, letters in all caps
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    National Writing Project logo in dark gray with a green, hand-written w
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    Orange County Community Foundation in dark gray with a magenta heart icon
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    Planey Women fiery-colored logo with fingers holding the planet
Blue diamond icon

“The team at Acton Circle, led by founder and creative director Olivia Wheeler, is an incredible partner to us for all company design needs.

We retained her firm to provide us with guidance and new design across nearly all assets, and the team worked closely with us, really listened to our needs and ideas, and provided incredible content and design -- all while being patient, responsive, on-time and within budget.

We value Olivia and her team's expertise and perspective, as well as their friendly and warm approach to doing business together. Our firm has been elevated in many ways directly as a result of the work from Acton Circle.

Sarah L.

Chief Brand Officer
Professional Services Firm

HOW TO WORK WITH OUR SOCIAL IMPACT & NONPROFIT DESIGN AGENCY

Design that does more

Branding & Design Partnership

Get the consistent, premium design support you need to match your materials to your impact (every month).

A stylized flower with a golden circle, two dark leaves, and a light blue geometric shape resembling a snowflake
Overlapping geometric shapes, including a golden triangle, a black right-facing triangle, and a small light blue semicircle.

Annual Report Design Intensive

Transform your impact metrics into a compelling story that moves donors and those you serve to action.

A golden rounded rectangle, a smaller black square, and a light blue starburst-like shape above them.

Interactive Microsite
Launch

Create a strategic microsite that elevates your digital presence and amplifies your impact story.

THE ACTON CIRCLE DIFFERENCE

Why purpose-driven leaders choose us as their go-to social change design agency

A square with a golden center, outlined in black, representing clarity and transparency.

Because we have a structured process (zero chaos here)

Say goodbye to chasing updates. Our structured approach ensures you always know where your design is heading and how it serves your goals.

A stylized plant with two black leaves and a golden geometric flower on top, symbolizing growth and purpose.

Because we're purpose-driven specialists (not just occasional do-gooders)

We believe in doing one thing exceptionally well: design. No juggling multiple services—just thoughtfully crafted design that moves people to act on your mission.

A circular emblem with a golden center, surrounded by black geometric shapes forming a stylized flower or compass-like design, presenting focus.

Because we’re design experts (and yes, that’s all we do)

We're a specialized nonprofit design firm, not generalists. We understand how foundations engage donors, how tech-for-good balances product with impact, and how purpose-driven firms position themselves.

A minimalist staircase-like shape in black, with a small golden circle above it, representing structure and progress.

Because we keep things clear and simple (no surprises or complexity)

Unlike most nonprofit design firms, our clear investment model means no surprise fees, no scope creep, and no complex billing structures. Just straightforward terms that respect your planning needs.

Words from our clients 

(The ones making real impact)

WHO WE SERVE

As a social impact design studio, here’s who we work with best

If your mission is bigger than pure profit (and we know it is), let's make sure it looks that way.

Acton Circle crafted this fact sheet for Orange County Community Foundation by merging data with dynamic visuals, embodying the spirit of a social impact design studio helping drive positive change.

Nonprofits + Foundations

You're managing $25M-$575M+ in community impact. (Your materials should probably stop underselling that.) We raise the quality of your design to the level of your work.

Acton Circle designed this higher education spread to blend academic insights with creative visuals, showcasing our role as a nonprofit design agency driving change.

Higher Education

Your research and programs are changing lives. (Your presentations should command the respect and attention you deserve.) We design for universities, scholarship programs, and research institutions.

Acton Circle designed a website for Blue Clover / BCD to deliver an engaging digital experience, exemplifying our commitment as a nonprofit design agency fueling social impact.

Tech-for-Good 

Building tech that matters is hard enough. (Getting people to notice shouldn't be.) We help tech-for-good ventures design visual stories that get both investors and users to engage.

This one-pager designed for Reimer Hess by Acton Circle reflects our expertise as a nonprofit design agency in helping purpose-driven organizations create positive social change.

Purpose-Driven Professional Services

You've built a firm that proves profit and purpose can coexist. (Now let's make sure everyone knows it.) We create materials that position your expertise while highlighting what really sets you apart.

about acton circle

Your partner in purposeful design

Since 2018, we've helped purpose-driven organizations become visual forces for change. Our approach combines strategic thinking with intentional design to advance missions that matter.

Olivia is the founder and creative director of Acton Circle, a nonprofit design agency helping purpose-driven organizations amplify their impact.

“I was put on this earth to use my gifts to help others.”

After twelve years of contributing to and leading design teams across the San Francisco Bay Area, I founded Acton Circle to focus entirely on amplifying social good.

The namesake of my studio, Acton Circle, was the location of my grandparents' home—a place where my faith and creativity began.

I am part of their legacy, and I can't wait to help you build yours.

- Olivia Wheeler, Founder and Chief Design Lead, Acton Circle

on the blog

Could strategic design partnership be your missing piece?

Uncover how mission-driven leaders solve design challenges without hiring, managing, or stressing over freelancers and in-house creative teams.