the brand
level-up
A strategic brand refresh that signals credibility, builds trust, and attracts the right donors and partners.
Your nonprofit already does meaningful work. The Brand Level-Up helps your brand show that — clearly, confidently, and consistently.
This is a done-for-you brand refresh designed for growing nonprofits who are ready to move past a scrappy starter brand and into something more intentional, aligned, and trustworthy.
"High-touch, thoughtful, creative — I constantly recommend HeartSpark."
ALT HERO
"Omg, I can't believe this exists. It's my favorite purchase ever already!"
DESIGN
for life
This is your main shop page and we've populated it with a number of different kinds of grids so you can find the one that works best for your brand.
When your brand looks amateur, people hesitate.
That looks like:
- Donors needing extra explanation before they “get it”
- Partners not immediately seeing alignment
- Materials that feel inconsistent, outdated, or improvised
- Board members and volunteers hesitating to share things
- Your organization blending in with others doing similar work
None of this means you’re doing anything wrong.
It usually means your brand was built for an earlier stage — and hasn’t evolved with you.
Credibility is built in seconds (whether we like it or not)
Before someone reads your mission statement or learns your story, your brand is already speaking volumes:
Are they legitimate?
Do they feel established?
Do they seem aligned with what we care about?
If your brand doesn’t answer those questions clearly, donors and partners hesitate — or move on.
The Brand Level-Up exists to close that gap.
See the Brand Level-Up in Action
Brand refresh for a Mississippi child advocacy center that reflects safety, warmth, and their four-pillar model of care.
A brand refresh and website rebuild for a California rescue organization supporting high-needs cocker spaniels – resulting in a more consistent visual identity, easier adoption workflows, and a website that finally matches the heart of their mission.
Colorado nonprofit empowering human trafficking survivors boosted fundraising with a compelling new mission, brand, and website.
A thoughtful, strategic process designed to create clarity and confidence — not overwhelm.
Get Clear
We kick things off with a SPARK Strategy session and guided pre-work to clarify:
- who you want to attract right now,
- what makes your nonprofit credible in your space, and
- what signals your brand needs to send at first glance.
This step aligns your goals, messaging, and positioning so every design decision has a job to do.
🧭 Strategy session + guided pre-work
🎯 Goals, audiences, and credibility signals defined
🧠 Clear direction before design begins
Get Aligned
This is where strategy becomes something you can see and feel.
I’ll review your sector, your positioning, and the visual landscape around you to identify where your brand can stand out — not by being louder, but by being clearer and more intentional.
From there, I translate that strategy into a visual direction that reflects your nonprofit’s maturity, values, and future goals.
Not trend-chasing.
Not generic.
A brand that quietly signals, “We’re established, aligned, and worth investing in.”
🔍 Sector and positioning review
🎨 Visual direction rooted in strategy, not trends
📌 Alignment on how your brand should show up everywhere
Get Results
We refine your logo and visual identity and build a cohesive system of brand assets and templates your team can confidently use.
Everything works together to communicate trust, clarity, and consistency — so your brand does the heavy lifting before you ever have a conversation.
You’ll receive:
- finalized brand files,
- practical brand guidelines, and
- ready-to-use templates that elevate every touchpoint.
✨ Refined logo + visual identity
🧩 Templates built for real-world use
📹 Walkthroughs so your team feels confident using it all
Brand level up WORKS
The result:
A brand that attracts the right people
- Donors understand your impact faster
- Partners recognize alignment immediately
- Your team shares materials with confidence
- Your organization feels established, clear, and trustworthy
This is what it looks like when your brand supports your growth instead of slowing it down.
"Before working with Lauren, our brand was kind of a free-for-all…
You wouldn’t know our designs were all from the same organization. Now, every single thing we do, anyone can look at it and say ‘that’s Kids Hub!’ Everything is streamlined, and everyone on our team knows the expectation.
Our new logo makes us more recognizable to the community and more legitimate to our donors. Yes, the investment can feel scary, but it also pushed us to internally think about who we are and how we want to communicate. Now we have such a better grasp on exactly who we are and our value proposition. It’s a commitment, but truly, the best commitment with such potential.”
From one of our nonprofit clients:
Erica Smith, Development Director of Kids Hub
SPARK Strategy Session
Clarity before design so every decision has a purpose:
- One 90-minute 1:1 strategy session with Lauren
- A recorded session you can revisit or share internally
- Personality-aligned messaging you can copy + paste
- One week of email support as you put it into practice
What’s included in the Brand Level-Up
Visual Brand Foundation
A cohesive identity that reflects your mission and signals credibility:
- Refined logo, color palette, and typography
- A visual system that works across every channel
- Brand guidelines for consistency and clarity
Marketing Templates
Tools that save time and elevate everything you share:
- Social media, presentations, proposals, and event materials
- Branded touchpoints like email signatures and thank-you cards
- Templates your team will actually use
32+ nonprofit brands leveled up
Partner with Lauren Atherton, an award-winning brand designer with 16+ years of experience and the founder of HeartSpark Design. Lauren has guided 32+ nonprofit organizations through brand refreshes that helped them look more credible, feel more confident, and show up consistently—without losing the heart of what made them special in the first place.
During the Brand Level-Up, you’ll work directly with Lauren to design your custom branding so your visuals will finally match your impact. Think of her as the calm, strategic guide who helps you navigate the messy middle between a scrappy starter brand and a polished, professional one—one that inspires your community and makes fundraising feel easier, not harder.
You’re a growing nonprofit with a strong mission and a brand that hasn’t caught up yet
You want your visuals to signal trust, clarity, and legitimacy to donors and partners
You care about long-term consistency, not quick fixes
You’re still figuring out what your nonprofit does or who it serves
You just want things to “look prettier” without thinking about impact or perception
You’re in a season where you can’t engage, give feedback, or make decisions. (That season happens — come back when you’ve got more breathing room. I’ll be here.)
Let’s Check the Fit
This works best when we’re on the same page.
You’re ready to make intentional decisions and trust the process
01
How is this different from a full rebrand?
The Brand Level-Up is a strategic refresh — not a ground-up reinvention. Your mission, vision, and programs stay intact, while we refine what’s already there so your brand reflects where you are now. Think less disruption, more clarity and polish. The goal is evolution, not starting over.
02
What happens after I inquire?
You’ll hear back from Lauren within 48 hours with a few quick questions to confirm fit. From there, you can either hop on a call or book directly — totally your choice. Once you’re ready, we’ll confirm a start date and get things moving quickly.
03
Do I need to have everything figured out before we start?
Not at all — that’s why you hire me! Strategy comes first, and we’ll define your audience, messaging, and visual direction together before any design work begins. You don’t need perfect answers going in, just a willingness to think things through collaboratively.
04
How long does the Brand Level-Up take?
The Brand Level-Up is a focused 60-day engagement. The process is structured and efficient, so you get clarity and momentum without endless rounds of feedback. It’s designed to respect your time while still doing the work thoughtfully.
05
Can I add things later?
Yes, but with a bit of nuance. Audience research can be added at the start of the Brand Level-Up and typically adds 2–3 weeks to the timeline, since it’s completed before the SPARK Strategy session. Messaging support can also be layered in and is developed in parallel with your logo and visual identity, so it doesn’t slow the overall process. The Brand Level-Up is designed to flex around your needs without losing momentum.
Past clients also have access to VIP Days for fast, focused updates when something new comes up. Your brand system is designed to evolve as your organization grows.
06
What files will we get at the end?
You’ll receive a complete set of brand files in all the formats you actually need. This includes logos and brand assets ready for print, digital, and social use – all clearly organized and easy to use. You’ll also have full ownership of all your brand assets, so you’re free to use, share, and build on them however you need.
07
Who needs to be involved from our organization?
This works best when one primary decision-maker is involved — often an Executive Director, Founder, or Communications or Development lead. Others can be looped in at key moments, but the process is intentionally designed to avoid decision-by-committee. Clear roles keep things moving smoothly.
08
What size organization is the Brand Level-Up best for?
The Brand Level-Up is ideal for mid-sized nonprofits, typically in the $1–15M annual revenue range. It’s especially well-suited for organizations preparing to reach their next funding or growth stage. Having one engaged leader involved helps the process move efficiently.
09
What if we also need a website?
That’s completely normal, and you’ll be well set up for it. By the end of the Brand Level-Up, you’ll have a clear brand strategy and refined visuals that make handing things off to a web designer straightforward. Lauren can recommend trusted nonprofit web partners and is happy to join a handoff call to ensure everything stays aligned.
