When Strategy Meets Mission
Heroic Hearts Project is a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and first responders heal from trauma through innovative mental health programs and psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Like many mission-driven organizations, Heroic Hearts had a powerful vision and a passionate community but scaling impact required stronger fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and event-driven growth.
That’s where Rakini’s philosophy of strategic philanthropy and donor intelligence came into play.
In 2024, Alana Stott began working with Heroic Hearts Project to help strengthen their fundraising strategy, expand their donor network, and develop a flagship fundraising event designed to unlock new levels of philanthropic support.
The results were transformational.
The Growth
In 2023, Heroic Hearts Project reported approximately $1.8 million in revenue.
By the end of 2024 the year Alana worked directly with the organization revenue grew to:
$6,762,246.76
This represents more than a threefold increase in funding, dramatically expanding the organization’s ability to serve veterans and scale its programs.
The following year continued to build on that momentum, with total income reaching over $7.1 million according to internal management reports.
This level of growth enabled Heroic Hearts Project to expand its programs, increase research initiatives, and reach more veterans seeking healing and recovery.
What Changed
The transformation was not accidental. It came from a combination of strategic planning, donor engagement, and hands-on leadership.
Key areas of focus included:
Strategic Fundraising Framework
Development of a structured donation strategy designed to attract larger philanthropic commitments and cultivate long-term donor relationships.
Event-Based Philanthropy
Planning and executing the organization’s first major gala event creating a powerful platform to bring donors, supporters, and advocates together.
Network Activation
Leveraging strategic relationships and philanthropic networks to introduce new supporters and funding opportunities.
Operational Alignment
Helping the leadership team stay focused on clear fundraising milestones and organizational growth.
Hands–On Leadership
Unlike many consultants who operate at arm’s length, Alana’s involvement went far beyond strategy.
She worked directly with the team to plan and execute the organization’s first gala event, helping coordinate logistics, donor engagement, and program storytelling.
Her role combined strategy, execution, and relationship building ensuring the event delivered both financial results and long-term donor engagement.
From the Executive Director
Jesse Gould, Founder and Executive Director of Heroic Hearts Project, described the impact this way:
“Alana has been an invaluable asset to Heroic Hearts, providing expert consultation and guidance for over a year. She played a crucial role in keeping our team on track with a strategic donation plan, and her leadership in planning and executing our first gala was nothing short of exceptional. Alana didn’t just provide strategic direction — she was fully immersed in the event, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. From coordinating logistics to managing key details, her hands-on involvement was vital to the event’s success. Moreover, Alana generously leveraged her network to help us tap into new connections and fundraising opportunities, making a lasting impact on our mission. We are incredibly grateful for her support and dedication.”
— Jesse Gould, Founder & Executive Director, Heroic Hearts Project
Why This Matters
Heroic Hearts Project demonstrates what can happen when strong mission-driven organizations are paired with strategic philanthropy.
When nonprofits combine:
- A compelling mission
- Disciplined fundraising strategy
- Engaged donor networks
- Strong operational leadership
…they can unlock exponential growth in both funding and impact.
This is the philosophy behind Rakini.
Rakini exists to connect donors with vetted nonprofits and help those organizations scale responsibly, transparently, and sustainably.
Because when capital flows to the right organizations, the results speak for themselves.
Impact at a Glance
| Strategic Contributions | 2023: $1.8M | 2024: $6.76M | 3.7× growth in one year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth |
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If you want to learn more about the great work of Heroic Hearts Project, find them here: www.heroicheartsproject.org