About - HeartSpark Design

About HeartSpark

HeartSpark Design helps growing nonprofits identify their unique spark and present it proudly to the world. Lauren Atherton and her expert partners give small-team nonprofits makeovers from the inside out, beginning with audience research and ending with branding and websites that are designed for longevity and growth.

It all started with a spark to the heart.

After surviving an emergency open-heart surgery in 2017, Lauren Atherton left the corporate design world to fulfill her dream of creating a design studio exclusively for nonprofits. That studio is HeartSpark Design. Together with trusted partners, Lauren helps nonprofits across the country level up their brands and websites. It’s truly a dream come true.

HeartSpark’s research-first design process has positioned clients to win major grants, secure game-changing partnerships, far exceed their fundraising goals, stress less, and enjoy their work more. Offering courses, assessments, and custom design packages, we’re proud to offer brand support for every budget.

Our Guiding Beliefs

Great design grows support.

The research shows that unique, consistent branding builds trust and motivates people to choose some organizations over others. At HeartSpark, we have a deep conviction in the power of branding to help nonprofits stand out and steadily grow.

Brand alignment makes doing good easier.

Brand strategy helps organizations raise more money and grow their fan bases. It also reduces workload and stress, boosts confidence, guides strategic decision-making, simplifies outsourcing, and the list of benefits goes on!

Nonprofits deserve the best.

After a decade in the for-profit design world, Lauren knows what the best branding and design look like in practice. HeartSpark delivers top-tier design quality and client service resourcefully, to make the absolute most of small nonprofit budgets.

Every leader should own their brand.

A basic understanding of branding is essential for marketing, fundraising, team building, partnerships, and more. Whether you are design savvy or a beginner, Lauren will teach you as much as you want to learn so you feel confident owning your brand.

“High-touch, intentional, thoughtful, engaged, creative, knowledgeable…these are great words to describe the owner of this great brand and her output. I’ve worked with HeartSpark for over 2 years and constantly recommend the business! Look no further.”