Before going digital, DiverseCity’s impact was anchored in local U.S. communities, offering sports, wellness classes, and mentor-led fitness programs to inspire youth. Yet the nonprofit recognized that only technology could break their geographical constraints, allowing them to reach more individuals without exponentially growing staff or physical locations. Determined to expand nationwide and beyond, they sought out Chop Dawg to build a comprehensive digital experience that would make health, engagement, and social connectivity available to all—youth, parents, and educators alike.
With an array of sports and strength programs taught by expert instructors, plus an easy-to-use interface, DiverseCity’s new app aligns with the organization’s ultimate goal: to motivate, unite, and make the world a healthier, happier place, one workout at a time.
DiverseCity had effectively boosted youth health in various localities, but the heavily in-person model limited their capacity to reach new audiences. Physical venues, on-site staff, and intensive planning made scaling laborious and costly. Moreover, the goal of building a closer, day-to-day community demanded more than just static video workouts—it needed real-time interaction, data-based gamification, and an approachable digital atmosphere. Balancing nationwide outreach, robust security, and continued emphasis on personal mentorship required a sophisticated solution that only a tailored mobile platform could provide. Recognizing these hurdles, DiverseCity partnered with Chop Dawg to bring their vision of a far-reaching, all-in-one fitness and social network to fruition.
DiverseCity partnered with Chop Dawg to overhaul its brand from a local nonprofit into a digital-first global initiative. Starting with a full rebrand to resonate with both youth and adult stakeholders, we integrated that fresh identity into weekly development sprints, daily Slack communication, and ongoing design reviews. The result: a mobile and web app that captures the excitement of in-person classes while adding interactive workouts, gamified progress, and group-based accountability.
Through an agile approach, we mapped out a range of features—live-streamed fitness classes, a social feed for shared motivation, and in-depth administrative tools to release new sessions and monitor user growth. By focusing on user-centric logic and streamlined back-end operations, we ensured every design choice supported DiverseCity’s mission of maximizing engagement and expanding impact without ballooning resource costs.
From real-time workout sessions to lively community interactions, DiverseCity’s app empowers users to shape healthier lifestyles and form new friendships—all while maintaining the quality and spirit of their in-person programs:
Instructors broadcast workouts, offering real-time guidance and fostering communal energy—even at a distance. Users can join from home or on the go, keeping them connected through shared, uplifting routines.
DiverseCity’s integrated system logs workouts, awards badges for fitness milestones, and ranks users on leaderboards. Each participant’s “Health Passport” brings a sense of achievement and renewed motivation.
A built-in feed enables participants to stay inspired by friends, comment on sessions, and collaborate with classmates—reflecting the supportive environment that sets DiverseCity apart.
Advanced user verification, multi-factor authentication, and in-app safety reporting protect sensitive user data, ensuring a secure haven for all, particularly younger participants.
Behind the scenes, a robust admin interface and strategic content controls empower DiverseCity’s team to guide fitness and community efforts with agility—safeguarding the brand’s commitment to top-quality mentorship at scale:
Team members can create or schedule workouts, update trainer profiles, and oversee interactive features, enabling swift pivots based on user interests or new programming ideas. Admins effortlessly moderate community interactions, ensuring a respectful, empowering environment. This includes rapid response to reported content and easy removal of unsuitable material.
In-depth usage reports and demographic insights help highlight popular workout types, track user engagement, and reveal emerging opportunities—driving data-driven decisions that propel growth.
Chop Dawg’s involvement extended beyond app development to address every layer of DiverseCity’s transition:
We guided DiverseCity through obtaining key coverage, protecting the platform’s operations and financial security.
Detailed reviews guaranteed the app aligned with Apple and Google’s guidelines on location use, digital transactions, and live content streaming.
We offered marketing input, App Store Optimization (ASO), and user engagement strategies—supporting a successful nationwide debut that quickly drew attention from donors and participants alike.
Weekly Zoom check-ins, daily Slack updates, and version control through Jira, Figma, and GitHub ensured DiverseCity and Chop Dawg stayed in lockstep throughout the project. This constant collaboration let us refine features like the Health Passport and community feed according to user feedback. By merging DiverseCity’s on-the-ground expertise with our agile approach, we delivered a platform that preserves personal mentoring’s warmth while harnessing modern technology for scalable growth.
By shifting from solely in-person events to a dynamic digital platform, DiverseCity now engages over 250,000 young participants each year—without expanding brick-and-mortar infrastructure.
The app’s clear benefits, extended reach, and transparent user engagement inspired a surge in donor backing, fueling greater sustainability for DiverseCity’s growing community.
Users flocked to live streaming, badges, and social elements, resulting in an impressive retention rate—highlighting the value of interactive, supportive fitness experiences.
Chop Dawg’s distinguishing factor is their level of professionalism and likeability. Every person on their team has been supportive and delightful to work with. They genuinely care about our success. From a technical standpoint, the team is first-rate, from the designers to upper-level management. They check all the boxes for us in terms of educating us and acting as true partners. Chop Dawg has done everything they said they would do. They’ve stuck to the timeline and have been diligent about keeping us on track.
President of DiverseCity
Picture scaling your mission from a single region to the entire nation—without losing the personal touch that defines you. Chop Dawg offers the strategic insight, technical savvy, and deep collaboration you need to replicate DiverseCity’s success. Book your free 45-minute consultation, and let’s discuss how we can maximize your nonprofit’s impact, streamline user engagement, and transform your brand into a digital force for good.