Fundraising with a Twist for the Brain Foundation

Objective:

The Brain Foundation is committed to funding life-changing Australian research into neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries. With public fundraising a key part of their mission, they were looking for a way to visually represent “the brain” in a way that was recognisable, a little bit clever—but definitely not gory.

The goal? To create an item that could be sold to raise awareness and funds, while being iconic enough to stand on its own and spark conversations.

Solution:

With retail appeal as the top priority, we explored a range of creative product ideas—from finely moulded brain paperweights to brain-themed cufflinks and buttons.

But it was a custom-designed peaked cap, featuring an all-over embroidered brain pattern, that really stood out. At first, it seemed like the embroidery might not be possible—suppliers around the world flagged challenges with the level of detail and curved surface. But with persistence and problem-solving, we made it happen.

The cap became the hero piece, backed by a wider range of supporting merchandise including t-shirts, polos, additional caps, and branded marquees—all developed to help the Brain Foundation build visibility at events and in public spaces.

Outcomes:

The striking embroidered cap did exactly what it was meant to do:

• It became a talking point wherever it was worn, helping raise awareness in a subtle, stylish way
• The limited-edition release made it a coveted item—staff were often stopped and asked where to get one

But the cap was just one part of a much broader campaign. To support fundraising and visibility at public events, Flourish also developed:

• Branded donation boxes designed to catch attention and encourage spontaneous giving
• Custom marquees that created an unmistakable presence at outdoor events
• Stress-relief brains—fun, on-theme giveaways that tied directly into the cause
• Branded pens and other collateral that reinforced the message across multiple touchpoints

Together, these elements created a cohesive and eye-catching display that supported the Brain Foundation’s mission at every level—from major events to everyday interactions. The fundraising campaign not only stood out visually, but also helped spark meaningful conversations and lasting awareness.