Fundable and Findable: Getting Out of the Nonprofit Starvation Cycle
What actually makes a nonprofit truly fundable, and not just busy, but built to last?
In this episode of the Sustainable Giving Podcast, Dave Raley sits down with Kevin L. Brown, CEO of Mighty Ally and author of Fundable & Findable, to unpack a hard truth: most nonprofits don’t struggle because they lack passion or effort. They struggle because they lack clarity.
From his journey out of the advertising world to working alongside nonprofits globally, Kevin brings a sharp lens to the structural challenges holding organizations back. Together, Dave and Kevin explore what it really takes to move beyond the “starvation cycle” and into a model of sustainable, scalable impact, where organizations are not only doing meaningful work, but are clearly positioned, deeply trusted, and consistently supported.
This is a candid, thought-provoking conversation that challenges assumptions about fundraising, branding, and what it means to build something that lasts.
What would change if your organization focused less on doing more, and more on becoming unmistakably clear?
Key Topics They Cover:
Why most nonprofits stay small, and what’s really holding them back
Only 1 in 1,000 nonprofits grow beyond small-business scale. Kevin breaks down why the issue isn’t just fundraising tactics, but a deeper lack of clarity, positioning, and focus.
The “Fundable & Findable” Framework explained
What it means to be fundable (clear, credible, trustworthy) and findable (visible, differentiated, consistently communicated), and why getting the order right matters more than you think.
Escaping the starvation cycle
Why doing more fundraising won’t fix broken fundraising, and how nonprofits can rethink their approach to build long-term sustainability.
From confusion to clarity: a real transformation story
A powerful case study of an organization that moved from rejection and confusion to national visibility, major funding, and long-term donor trust.
The tension around “looking slick” as a nonprofit
Should nonprofits invest in polished branding? Kevin makes the case for why professionalism builds trust, and where the line is between credibility and overproduction.
Also in this episode, they talk about:
Why donors don’t read—and how to “get to the point to get to the donor”
The myth of diversification in nonprofit funding models
Why retention starts immediately after the first gift
The role of leadership as the “chief earning officer”
How hybrid nonprofit models (like Mighty Ally) unlock new sustainability pathways
Watch or Listen:
Watch this episode now by clicking the video above, or by visiting Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Key Resources:
Get your copy of Fundable & Findable.
Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.
Connect with Dave on LinkedIn.
Learn about Dave’s new program, RISE.
Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Tom, Kirsten, Victoria, and Abigail.
