Case study

How GlobalWelsh leveraged Hivebrite to grow diaspora community by 118% within one year

The non-profit organization partners with Hivebrite to create a vibrant global diaspora community to help Wales prosper.

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GlobalWelsh logo

“We are an ambitious organization and needed software that future-proofed our community strategy. Hivebrite was the clear choice; an ambitious company with great customer references, its platform offers all the features we need to support our current and future community plans.”

Walter May
Founder and CEO, GlobalWelsh

3000+

Active members

118%

Member growth rate in a single year

58

Membership countries represented

Global Welsh

About the GlobalWelsh

GlobalWelsh is a global professional community of people with an affinity for Wales.

Mission

Launched in 2017, its mission is to help build a stronger and more prosperous Wales through diaspora engagement.

Visit the community

The GlobalWelsh is changing how people see Wales by giving the nation a global platform.

GlobalWelsh has been using Hivebrite since 2020. They chose Hivebrite as their solution to advance their mission of building a global community for Welsh people and friends of Wales, a place to create meaningful connections, tap into shared resources, introduce like-minded people and help investment and business opportunities prosper.

The community challenge

GlobalWelsh sought to build more than just a directory or online presence—it envisioned a truly interactive space where members could actively connect, collaborate, and foster a sense of belonging within the global Welsh diaspora. The organization recognized the need for a dynamic platform that would enable meaningful engagement, allowing members to share ideas, forge partnerships, and strengthen personal and professional ties regardless of location.

In addition to networking and collaboration, GlobalWelsh aimed to empower its members to support and invest in each other’s careers and business ventures. Whether through mentorship, funding opportunities, or knowledge exchange, the platform would serve as a launchpad for individual growth and collective success. By nurturing this ecosystem of shared ambition and mutual support, GlobalWelsh continues to cultivate a thriving global community rooted in Welsh identity and driven by collaboration.

Hivebrite’s full-stack community platform enabled GlobalWelsh to:

Facilitate organic connections

Foster independent sub-communities to enable connections while maintaining institutional governance

Create a repository of knowledge

Build a centralized knowledge hub that leverages member expertise

Encourage collaboration and innovation

Facilitate partnerships and networks to drive industry advancement and promote innovation

Gather data and insights

Monitor user behavior, engagement metrics, and content performance to measure the impact of initiatives

The Hivebrite solution

GlobalWelsh is one of the first diaspora organizations in the world to create an online community. It decided to partner with Hivebrite to build and scale its online community.

GlobalWelsh monetizes its community through memberships. It offers several membership options to encourage joining, participating and, depending on member needs and ambitions, eventually becoming a paying member.

The community also offers:

  • Free thought leadership events and introductory sessions for non-members to showcase the platform and explain the benefits of joining the community to encourage sign-ups

  • Sub-communities run by group leaders that offer a dedicated space for niche discussions, events, and more

  • A personalized community experience based on location and affinities to drive engagement

  • A global mentoring program to help members advance professionally or develop specific skills

  • Networking and thought leadership events

Key features designed for nonprofits

Member Directory & Profile

Connect donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries, fostering global member engagement and a stronger community.

Events and ticketing

Host virtual and IRL events with RSVP, paid ticketing, and QR codes. Enhance experiences and encourage participation.

Groups and sub-communities

Manage chapters, committees, and interest groups while empowering leaders to run spaces independently. 

News, content, and resources

A centralized hub for mission updates, media, and impact stories to keep your community informed and engaged.

Jobs and opportunities

Promote jobs, internships, and volunteer roles with a flexible board. Workflows and alerts help spread opportunities.

Email & campaign builder

Reach donors, volunteers, and stakeholders with personalized emails and campaigns—no technical skills needed.

Multi-language & live translation

Expand your global reach by breaking down language barriers and enabling members to engage in their preferred language.

The outcome

Since launching with Hivebrite, GlobalWelsh has experienced remarkable growth, with its community expanding by 118% in just the first 12 months. This rapid acceleration highlighted a clear demand for a digital space where members of the global Welsh diaspora could connect meaningfully, exchange ideas, and collaborate across borders. The platform’s intuitive tools and customizable features played a critical role in making these connections seamless and engaging.

Today, GlobalWelsh proudly counts nearly 3,000 active members around the world. These individuals—ranging from entrepreneurs and creatives to industry leaders and policy makers—form a vibrant, supportive network committed to elevating Welsh identity and opportunity on the international stage. Through virtual events, business mentoring, investment initiatives, and targeted affinity groups, members are able to find common ground and drive collective success.

In alignment with its mission, GlobalWelsh also supports the Welsh government’s efforts to promote Wales globally. By showcasing the talent, innovation, and collaborative spirit of its members, the organization acts as a powerful ambassador for the nation. The community not only connects Welsh people abroad with their roots but also helps foster economic and cultural development that benefits Wales as a whole.

“With Hivebrite’s platform we are able to create quality engagement initiatives to leverage the passion, expertise, and knowledge of our members to help Wales excel and prosper.”

Zara May
Head of Community and Operations, GlobalWelsh