HeartSpark Design

Fundraising isn’t the ONLY way to attract donors.

But that’s the only playbook most of you were handed 😬

So you keep showing up – to the events, meetings, and follow-ups – hoping it’ll eventually lead to more giving.

Here’s the shift you might be missing...
If you’re constantly explaining what your organization does and why it matters…your brand isn’t doing its job.

And that’s putting WAY too much pressure on your team.

Strong branding doesn’t replace fundraising.
⚡️ It powers it.

🤝 It builds trust.
💡 It creates clarity.
And it helps the right donors find you and "get you" faster.

In my latest video, I share how to turn your visual identity into a donor acquisition tool that works with your team, not against them.

Here's the link ➡️ https://youtu.be/4LorpCiQ1Zw

This is what I help clients do every day…and I can help you too!

Does your brand feel more like a fundraising asset or an obstacle right now?

Why Brand Strategy IS Donor Acquisition Strategy Tired of chasing donors one by one? Discover how a strong nonprofit brand turns donor acquisition from a grind into a magnet.🎯 Take the free Brand Personali...

Your real donation page might be getting outranked...
by a GoFundMe link you never created.

GoFundMe quietly spun up donation pages for 1.4 million nonprofits...without consent.
Half of my clients had one.
And none of them knew it existed.

We requested takedowns and the pages were removed quickly (👏)
But now those links just go... nowhere (🤦‍♀️)

❌ No redirect
❌ No explanation
❌ No way for a donor (or AI search) to find the right place to give

GoFundMe, you can fix this.
Redirect those URLs or add a button linking to the nonprofit's official donation page.

In the meantime, here’s what nonprofits CAN do:
1. Claim and control your page: https://lnkd.in/g3Hziubp
2. Wait 2 days for verification. Ensure there are no funds before closing the account.
3. Use Whole Whale’s takedown message generator to submit a formal removal request: https://lnkd.in/gwzaD-dh

And as you prep year-end appeals:
Spell out your donation URL and remind supporters to give ONLY through your official website or trusted platform 💡

Huge thanks to Ed Harris at Blue Hills Digital and George Weiner at Whole Whale for raising this issue!

"Our donors don’t care about branding—they just want to see their impact."

I see this myth holding back more nonprofits than it's helping. And it shows up in sneaky ways, like:

❌ Using free Canva templates instead of investing in a cohesive visual identity

❌ Overloading slides with charts and text instead of photos and stories

❌ Letting a decade-old website collect dust because “our loyal donors already know us”

The truth? Your brand is one of the most powerful tools you have to build trust and stand out.

Yes, your impact and results matter. But first impressions do too. A cohesive, polished brand makes it easier for potential donors to trust you, remember you, and feel confident investing in your mission.

If you're looking for ways to bust this myth at your nonprofit, read the full article here:

Why Branding Matters More to Donors Than You May Think (and How It Drives Donations) Your mission matters—but it’s not enough. Learn how strong branding helps nonprofits attract more right-fit donors in today’s crowded digital landscape.

HeartSpark turns 4 years old today! 🎉

Looking back on these wild 4 years, from kicking things off right as the world went into lockdown to hitting some pretty big personal and work milestones, here’s the scoop on what I’ve picked up along the way:

🤝 Stay Connected: Would not recommend launching right before a global pandemic, but suddenly social media wasn’t just social media anymore; it was our lifeline. And I learned the power of community quickly. Those first friends to shoot HeartSpark a DM are still some of my closest friends and colleagues today.

❤️‍🩹 Resilience: Then 2021 rolled around, and life said, ‘Hey, how about open-heart surgery take two?’ and put HeartSpark on hold for 3 months. The mental and emotional toll was costly, but with encouragement, patience, and professional help I made it through.

💡Just Keep Learning: 2022 was a game changer. Attended my first nonprofit conference and even got to present at a few online webinars and podcasts. And you know what? Being in the room to soak up all that brilliance has helped me better understand the needs of our sector.

🎢 Ride the Waves: 2023 was a rollercoaster! I kicked off our very first course, bagged a Webby Honoree Award (still pinching myself over that!), but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. What I learned? It’s totally fine—and sometimes necessary—to change your mind and move in a new direction.

Looking ahead to 2024, I am filled with gratitude for this community of experts.

Your support, engagement, and warm welcome have made all the difference for HeartSpark so if there’s ever a way I can give back to you or your biz, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Cheers to more learning, growth, and shared successes! 🥂

Brand refresh and rebranding.

These two terms get mixed up A LOT 😵‍💫

It may sound like silly designer semantics, but there’s a big difference between a brand refresh and rebranding your organization.

Let’s get clear about the difference first:

✨ Brand Refresh: Building upon your current foundation and reputation. Your mission is solid, but how you’re showing up in visuals and words feels less concrete and strategic.

💥 Rebranding: Reinventing your identity. This can include a new mission statement, core values, name, etc.

Considering a brand refresh or rebranding for your nonprofit? Swipe right to find out which one might be best for your nonprofit!