Watch nonprofit movies, kill set-up verbs & be unique.
Three weekly insights to get funding
Big news
Finally announcing the title and launch date of my book! 📚
Fundable & Findable
The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising
It features illustrations by Michelle Benson and an epilogue from Ingrid Srinath. Launching 2 April at Skoll World Forum in England — plus a virtual event 27 March from Malaysia and Uganda.
It’s been a year of sweat and tears.
62,000 words and 319 pages.
And one core message:
To get funding, be fundable and findable.
— Kevin
💪🏽💛
Three insights
1. Must-see nonprofit movies on Netflix.
It’s been a hopeless week. But here’s hope:
13 inspirational nonprofit films on Netflix.
Whether or not you’re affected by the USAID crisis, these movies can teach you a lot about storytelling for donor communications.
Fundraising is a story well told.
Watch and learn.
2. Kill your set-up verbs.
Nonprofit leaders: boldly claim your wins.
Because set-up verbs add extra words.
They water down your impact.
And make writing weak.
❌ You don’t work to improve learning outcomes
✅ You improve learning outcomes
❌ You don’t provide clean water solutions
✅ You clean water
❌ You don’t lobby to change policy
✅ You change policy
❌ And you don’t help save lives
✅ You save lives
Yes, attribution is challenging in the social sector (it takes a village!). But don’t let humility complicate your language.
Own your impact and own your messaging.
One word less at a time.
3. Be unique or be unfunded.
Donors fund your uniqueness.
Not your conformity.
That’s why in a sector with 10 million nonprofits — many chasing the same shiny new thing — this timeless wisdom also applies to your fundraising:
“Do not leave yourself to find someone else.”
Reject sector trends.
Reject mission drift.
Reject buzzwords.
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be,” says Maya Angelou.
So stick to your roots.
And your vision.
Be your own brand.
Be bold, not borrowed.
The weekly bonus
“It demystifies, democratises, and delights.”
“Fundable & Findable is the nonprofit Bible.”
“Don’t know how to talk about your organization? Do what Kevin L. Brown says. That’s all.”
“Kevin L. Brown is the next generation Dan Pallotta.”
“Want more funding for your mission? Read this book.”
I had 273 beta readers in 49 countries who helped me through seven rounds of edits on the book. These are just some of the early reviews of Fundable & Findable.
I'm so grateful for them.
And all of you. 🙏🏽
Get my help
Are you ready to get even more fundable and findable?
Check out Brand Bootcamp. It’s our self-paced, online course to maximize your funding. In just 15 minutes a day.
And it’s currently 50% off the regular price. 🎉
P.S.
What it’s like watching your new brand come to life.