Joy Collaborative Fundraiser Pairings Event
There are a lot of things I’ve said yes to over the years—some smart, some… let’s just call them “learning experiences.” But this one? Hosting the Joy Collaborative Fundraiser – Pairings Event? This was an easy yes from the beginning.
What is Joy Collaborative?
If you’ve listened to the Curious Builder Podcast, you might remember my conversation with Mark Ostrom, the founder of Joy Collaborative. His mission—to design spaces for kids with life-limiting conditions—called to me immediately. It’s one of those ideas that just makes sense, especially if you’ve ever built a space that changed how someone feels about their life. When a room isn’t just pretty, but healing? You can’t unhear that.
So we said yes.
The Location
We hosted the event in a Deephaven home that’s still one of my all-time favorite builds. And maybe even more special? The homeowners. Incredibly kind. Super private. Never opened their home for an event before. But when we asked if they'd consider it for Joy Collaborative, they didn’t just say yes—they leaned in. That kind of generosity doesn’t go unnoticed.
Now, parking was a challenge. So we reached out to the Wayzata Compass program—high school business students—and asked if they’d be up for driving guests in limos. Keep in mind, this was their graduation day. They showed up anyway. That tells you a lot about the next generation!
The Event
Around 50 to 60 guests joined us. We kept it casual: great snacks, better wine. Marcus—our wine pairing expert-slash-opera singer (yes, you read that right)—brought the house down. Literally paired wine with arias between pours. It was unexpected, it was classy, and it was very on brand for what we’re trying to do with these events: break the mold and make space for connection.
And that’s really what Pairings meant. Yes, we had wine and food pairings, but it was about people more than anything. Pairing those who can give—with their time, their dollars, their voice—with children with life limiting disabilities who need a little help getting seen, getting heard, and getting their confidence back.
Design Changes Lives
One parent shared her story about what Joy Collaborative did for her son. You could feel the room shift. It wasn’t about the before-and-after photos—it was about what the space did to that kid’s heart. He went from never wanting to have friends over to hosting 5-10 people every week! His confidence. His friendships. That’s what the healing power of design can do. That’s what a home can do.
Compared to last year’s fundraiser, this one felt more intimate. It was a room full of people who weren’t trying to impress anyone—they just showed up to be part of something good. No pressure. No big production. Just good people, good wine, and a community impact mission that matters.
Say Yes to Joy Collaborative
If you’re on the fence about getting involved with Joy Collaborative, take my advice: just show up. You don’t have to know exactly what you’re doing or how to help. Start with curiosity. Ask questions. Offer a skill. Or just listen. You’d be amazed what one small moment of generosity can ripple into.
Thanks to everyone who said yes to this night! Let’s keep saying yes.