A simple introduction through Heyven led to a meaningful partnership between BrandRaise and Dept.1 Solutions, showing how relationship-first connections can create lasting impact for nonprofits.
Some of the most meaningful connections come from meeting the right people!
The link between BrandRaise and Dept. 1 Solutions started with a simple introduction.
After a friend proposed an opportunity for me to be contracted on. It led me to meet Brianna Pyka, Co-Founder of BrandRaise — a strategy-led communications, branding, and fundraising consultancy supporting small- to mid-sized nonprofits across the Twin Cities.
I was asked to be an interviewer for one of their clients. While I was honored, I decided not to move forward on that project and asked to stay connected! I shared that I was building Heyven, a virtual neighborhood for creators, businesses, and nonprofits to make meaningful connections. Brianna immediately resonated because BrandRaise was actively looking to deepen relationships within the nonprofit ecosystem, not just win one-off projects.
About a month later, I was introduced to Dept.1 Solutions, a Minnesota-based nonprofit operations consultancy founded by Dylan Bassett. Dylan came highly recommended through Small Sums as someone doing thoughtful, practical work in the community — helping organizations simplify systems and build real operational capacity.
After connecting with Dylan, the alignment with BrandRaise was unmistakable.
The introduction was made!
When Brianna and Dylan met, they clicked quickly! Both were deeply committed to helping nonprofits grow in sustainable, human ways.
They soon began working on a joint approach to support one of BrandRaise’s nonprofit clients, presenting themselves as a single, coordinated partnership rather than two separate consultants.
The plan was intentionally holistic:
They were willing to show up as one team, under one contract, with shared accountability — a level of collaboration that speaks volumes about trust and alignment.
We not only made an introduction that led to a project, but also authentic relationships that build capacity, momentum, and trust over time.
This thoughtful introduction created:
Impact doesn't always look the same. Sometimes, impact looks like a shared project. Other times, it looks like two partners standing shoulder-to-shoulder, ready when the door opens. Both play a role in your success.
Heyven is built on authentic relationships.
My role is to listen closely to what people are building, notice where values, skills, and capacity align, and make introductions that feel complemented by what's happening! By bringing BrandRaise and Dept.1 Solutions together, Heyven helped form a partnership where two businesses continue to show up through referrals, shared spaces, and future-focused collaboration. That’s the true super power about connections
BrandRaise is a strategy-led communications and fundraising consultancy supporting small- to mid-sized nonprofits. Their work centers on brand-led fundraising, impact storytelling, and campaigns rooted in trust rather than transactions. BrandRaise helps organizations clarify their message, strengthen community relationships, and raise sustainable funding aligned with their mission.
Dept.1 Solutions is a Minnesota-based nonprofit and small business operations consultancy that helps purpose-driven organizations simplify systems, improve workflows, and build sustainable operational capacity. Their work focuses on practical, affordable solutions — from donor management and fundraising infrastructure to documentation, training, and ongoing advisory support — so teams can spend less time managing tools and more time advancing their mission.
