Free Open Source Boilerplate

Build your own organisation communication app

Org Comms is a free, self-hosted boilerplate for charities, community groups, and organisations who need to communicate with their members, staff, or volunteers.

Not a SaaS. You deploy it once for your organisation, add your branding, and own your data. Free for charities and small businesses.

Built For Organisations Like Yours

If you need to communicate with a group of people and want your own branded app instead of using WhatsApp, Slack, or email groups.

💝

Charities

Keep volunteers informed about opportunities and events

🏫

Schools

Update parents on events, closures, and announcements

🏢

Small Businesses

Coordinate staff without paying per-user fees

🤝

Community Groups

Engage members with your own branded app

Try the Demo First

Experience the full app with demo@orgcomms.test / demopass123!

Be clear on what you're getting

This is a developer boilerplate, not a hosted service. Read this before you get started.

What this IS

  • A free starting point for building your own app
  • You self-host it — we don't host it for you
  • You customise everything — name, logo, colours
  • You own your data — stays in your database
  • Members install your branded app — not "Org Comms"

What this is NOT

  • Not a SaaS — no monthly subscription to us
  • Not a service — you deploy and run it yourself
  • Not multi-tenant — one deployment per org
  • Not for resale — can't sell to other companies
  • Not a finished product — you'll need a developer

How It Works

Three simple steps to have your own branded communication app for your organisation.

1

Fork & Deploy

Fork the repo and deploy to Vercel or Netlify. One deployment = one organisation.

2

Add Your Branding

Change the name, logo, colours, and domain. Make it look like your app.

3

Invite Your Members

Add your members, create groups, and start broadcasting. They install your branded PWA on their phones.

⚠️

Requires Technical Knowledge

You'll need someone who knows React/TypeScript to customise and deploy this. If you don't have a developer, iConenctIT.co.uk can help you build and deploy your customised app.

Why Build Your Own Instead of Using WhatsApp or Slack?

FeatureWhatsApp GroupsSlack/TeamsYour Branded App
Your branding & name❌ No❌ No✅ Yes
Members see your logo on their phone❌ No❌ No✅ Yes
Broadcast-only (no reply chaos)❌ No❌ No✅ Yes
Delivery & read receipts⚠️ Limited❌ No✅ Full tracking
Target specific groups easily❌ Manual✅ Yes✅ Yes
No per-user monthly fees✅ Free❌ Paid✅ Free
You own the data❌ Meta owns it❌ Slack owns it✅ You own it
No ads or distractions❌ Ads✅ No ads✅ No ads

Build Upon This Starter

Org Comms is a foundation you can extend. Here are some ways organisations have customised it for their needs.

🚨

Emergency Alert System

Add priority levels, loud alarm notifications, and instant SMS fallback for critical safety alerts to all staff or residents.

📋

Volunteer Coordination

Add shift sign-ups, availability calendars, and skill matching so volunteers can easily manage their commitments.

📚

School Parent Portal

Add class-specific channels, homework updates, permission slips with digital signatures, and parent-teacher meeting booking.

🏥

Healthcare Updates

Add appointment reminders, care plan updates for families, and secure document sharing between patients and providers.

These are just ideas — you can extend Org Comms with any features your organisation needs.

Free for Charities & Small Businesses

Org Comms is available under the Sustainable Use License. Use it for your own organisation at no cost.

Free for charities & non-profits
Free for small businesses (<50 employees)
Self-host and customise with your branding

Not permitted: Selling hosting services, multi-tenant SaaS, or reselling to third parties.

Ready to build your organisation's app?

Fork the repository, customise it with your branding, and deploy your own communication platform.