Nonprofit technology consulting & custom software · Grand Rapids, MI
Build the thing.
Not the workaround.
I help nonprofits, churches, and small teams figure out what's actually worth building. Then I build it.
30 minutes. No pitch. No pressure.
★ 5.0 on Google
Published pricing. You own everything I build.
Who it's for
For organizations with something worth building.
Based in Grand Rapids. In person for West Michigan nonprofits and churches, remote everywhere else.
The problem
You probably don't need more software.
You need your technology to work better.
Too many tools, too much manual work, and nobody who sees the whole picture. That's where I come in.
Sound familiar?
“We have a spreadsheet for that.”
“I'm pretty sure we already pay for something that does this.”
“Nobody knows how this system works anymore.”
“We've been meaning to fix this for two years.”
“Could AI do this?”
Philosophy
Technology is a tool.
Your mission is the point.
Good technology should make the work easier, not become the work.
I don't start with
“What software can we sell you?”
I start with
“What are you actually trying to accomplish?”
What I do
So what can Lifehouse actually do?
Four things. Most engagements start with the first one, and some end there.
Straight talk
I'll tell you if you don't need me.
Seriously. The first conversation exists to find the right answer, not to sell you a project.
- 01
If an existing tool solves your problem, I'll tell you.
- 02
If a simple automation will do the job, we'll do that.
- 03
If your process is the real problem, we'll fix the process.
- 04
And if custom software is actually the right answer? We'll build it.
That's the difference.
How I work
A better way to build technology.
Four phases, in order. You always know which one you're in.
- 01Define
Start with the problem.
- 02Evaluate
Use what you already have.
- 03Design
Build the simplest thing that works.
- 04Deploy
Put it to work.
No 47-page roadmap required.
See the full process
Nate Van den Hoek
Founder & principal engineer · Grand Rapids, Michigan
Who you're working with
You don't need another developer.
You need someone who can see the whole picture.
Writing the code is the easy part. The hard questions are the ones nobody budgets time for:
- What should we build?
- Why are we building it?
- How will people actually use it?
- Is there a simpler way?
Sometimes I'm the developer. Sometimes I'm the strategist. Sometimes I'm the guy who says, “Don't build that.”
That's the job. More about how I work
Proof
Real work. Real outcomes.
Published with permission. What changed for author Sherri Prins when her site went live.
“Working with Nate was a wonderful experience. He created a beautiful and user-friendly website that has helped me showcase and market my book business with confidence. I truly appreciate his professionalism, creativity, and dedication to bringing my vision to life.”
Sherri Prins
Independent Author · sherriprinsauthor.com · Read the case study
More on work & outcomes.
Start here
Have something that should work better?
Bring the thing that's been bothering you. 30 minutes, and you leave with my honest take on what I'd do next.
No sales pitch. No obligation.
“I know something isn't working, but I don't know what.”
That's a fine place to start.
Build what matters. Skip what doesn't.