16. Fundable, Findable, and Fearless: Kevin L. Brown on Reinventing Nonprofit Fundraising
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
Release Date: 04/15/2025
25. Sports Leadership Synergy with Angela R. Lewis
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
Angela R. Lewis is a former professional basketball player, author, entrepreneur and leadership coach. Standing 6'1" since age 12, Angela knows what it's like to stand out and find your place in the world. With over 1,000 points scored in both high school and college, professional experience overseas, and having coached more than 500 athletes, Angela brings authentic experience to her storytelling. She is the author of The Game Changing Assist: Six Simple Ways to Choose Success, Post Moves: The Female Athlete’s Guide to Dominate Life After College, and A Ball and A Chance, a...
info_outline
24. Endowments with Intent: Whitney Solcher on Fiduciary Discipline, DAFs & the Great Wealth Transfer
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
Episode 25 of Jim Eskin’s Nonprofit North Stars spotlights Whitney Solcher, CIO/Partner at Ulrich Investment Consultants. With 20+ years in institutional investing, Whitney breaks down how nonprofits at every stage—from first-time endowments to $100M+ funds—can tighten their IPS, smartly add alternatives, and tap into the $84T great wealth transfer. She also demystifies DAFs (they’re not just for the ultra-wealthy), shares how to build referral pipelines with advisors and attorneys, and connects her nationally ranked equestrian precision to portfolio discipline. If you care...
info_outline
23. The Art of Standing Out: How Nonprofits Can Thrive in a Digital, AI-Driven World
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this powerful new episode of Jim Eskin’s Nonprofit North Stars, Jim sits down with Graeme Watt, a visionary leader bridging the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. Together, they unpack how nonprofits can embrace bold storytelling, digital innovation, and human-centered connection to rise above the noise. From learning risk-taking from the business world to rediscovering empathy in the age of AI, this conversation explores the future of fundraising, marketing, and mission-driven leadership. 👉 Tune in to learn how your organization can stand out, tell its best story, and flourish in our...
info_outline
22. Defying the Odds: A Conversation with Founder and CEO of The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep), Dr. Tracy Baynes
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
A college education has never been so essential as it is in today’s complex, fast-changing and technology driven workplace. You must have the capacity to be a lifelong learner. The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep) launched in 2004, an innovative college access and leadership program for low-income Arizona high-school students is opening huge doors of opportunity. While only 14% of low-income students earn a college degree, an awesome 96% of STEP scholars are attending or have graduated college. Dr. Tracy Baynes is the Founder and CEO. Building on her 25 years of...
info_outline
21. Innovating for Impact: How Christa Stelzmuller is Using Technology to End the Water Crisis
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars, host Jim Eskin sits down with Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer at Charity Water, to explore how technology and data are transforming the fight for global access to clean drinking water. With nearly one in ten people worldwide lacking safe water, the consequences ripple through health, education, and economic opportunities—especially for women and children. Key Takeaways: ✅ Tech for Good – How Charity Water uses data and innovation to expand clean water access. ✅ Leadership with Purpose – Krista’s approach to leading with...
info_outline
20. Cody Knowlton: Grantmaking with Purpose—Funding Health, Faith & Community
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this inspiring episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Cody Knowlton, President and CEO of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio. Since 2012, Cody has led the foundation in awarding grants to nearly 100 nonprofits annually, impacting healthcare, food security, and faith-based initiatives. With a background in higher education fundraising, Cody brings a unique perspective on both sides of philanthropy—soliciting and granting funds. He shares insights into the challenges of fundraising, the foundation’s most impactful grants, and how faith and strategy drive...
info_outline
19. Legacy, Leadership, and Loyalty: Larry Kosow’s Dedication to BU and Nonprofit Excellence
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Larry Kosow, Principal and Treasurer of Venture Tape, whose lifelong passion for philanthropy and Boston University has shaped his extraordinary journey. A dedicated BU alumnus with a deep family legacy at the university, Larry has played a pivotal role in supporting BU’s storied hockey program, including funding the university's TV broadcast booth in memory of his father. Larry shares the story of his family's immigration, perseverance, and entrepreneurial success—how his grandfather's journey through Ellis Island and...
info_outline
18. Guiding Nonprofits with Data-Driven Insights: A Conversation with Dr. Susan Korbel
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this episode of Non-Profit North Stars, host Jim Eskin sits down with Dr. Susan Korbel, founder of Core Research, to discuss the crucial role market research plays in the nonprofit sector. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Korbel has helped countless organizations—both public and private—make informed decisions that maximize their impact. From strategic planning to feasibility studies, she shares how nonprofits can apply research to stretch their resources and better fulfill their missions. This insightful conversation sheds light on how nonprofits can leverage data to navigate...
info_outline
17. Love of Space featuring Caroline Schumacher, President & CEO of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this special 17th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we are joined by Caroline Schumacher, CEO of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), to explore how ASF is nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators. With a mission rooted in the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts, ASF is propelling the United States toward sustained global leadership in technology and innovation. Carolyn shares the foundation's inspiring history, the rigorous selection process for scholars, and her vision for reigniting public enthusiasm for space exploration. Key...
info_outline
16. Fundable, Findable, and Fearless: Kevin L. Brown on Reinventing Nonprofit Fundraising
Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
In this inspiring 16th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally, a global force in nonprofit strategy and branding. Speaking from Malaysia, Kevin shares the story behind his new book, Fundable & Findable The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising, a labor of love born from years of consulting, training, and community-driven research with 340+ nonprofits in 51 countries. Kevin unpacks his bold Fundable/Findable Framework, explaining how nonprofit leaders can finally escape the starvation cycle and...
info_outlineIn this inspiring 16th episode of Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin, we spotlight Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally, a global force in nonprofit strategy and branding. Speaking from Malaysia, Kevin shares the story behind his new book,
Fundable & Findable The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising, a labor of love born from years of consulting, training, and community-driven research with 340+ nonprofits in 51 countries.
Kevin unpacks his bold Fundable/Findable Framework, explaining how nonprofit leaders can finally escape the starvation cycle and stop the endless donor chase.
Whether you’re leading a grassroots initiative or scaling a global nonprofit, this episode offers real, actionable insights for leaders ready to rethink the way they grow their missions.
Key Takeaways:
-
The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle is Real: Most nonprofits operate in survival mode, stuck in an endless loop of fundraising just to stay afloat.
-
Fundraising Alone Can’t Fix Fundraising: Kevin argues that the traditional donor chase model is broken, and a deeper strategy is needed.
-
The Fundable/Findable Framework:
-
Fundable: Showing donors why you exist, what you do, who will do it, where you're going, how to get there, and when it will be done.
-
Findable: Occupying a distinct space in the minds of your ideal funders, and routinely communicating your promises to them.
-
-
Your Brand Is More Than a Logo: Brand clarity means aligning your theory of change, strategic plan, positioning strategy, and marketing communications in a sequential, thoughtful way.
-
Democratizing Access to Expertise: Kevin's mission is to make these tools available to nonprofits of all sizes — not just the big ones with budgets for consultants.
-
If 'Brand' Sounds Too Corporate… Call it identity, clarity, unity, or direction — what matters is that you do the work to define and share your mission in a compelling way.
🌐 Learn more about Kevin’s work and explore the Fundable/Findable Framework at: fundablefindable.org