This Is My Brave, Inc.

What This Is My Brave, Inc. does

This Is My Brave, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in Virginia in 2014 by Jennifer Marshall and Anne Marie Ames to combat stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction through live theatrical storytelling. The organization's core product is 'This Is My Brave - The Show,' a live event in which individuals with lived experience of mental illness, substance use disorder, or related challenges share true personal stories of recovery before a live audience, with a 'College Edition' adapted for university campuses. Programming is produced locally by volunteer production teams or partner nonprofits that license the TIMB framework, allowing the organization to expand into more than 110 shows across the United States and, since 2017, into Australia through This Is My Brave Australia (TIMBA). The organization has been evaluated for seven years in partnership with the University of South Florida's Stigma Action Research (STAR) Lab, and in 2024 it was positioned as a validated public mental health intervention rather than continuing as an independent operating nonprofit.

The business model is donation-driven rather than commercial. Revenue comes from charitable contributions from individuals and organizations, supplemented by community crowdfunding (the original 2013 Kickstarter raised over $10,000). The organization does not charge for its programming; shows are produced and performed by volunteers. Named supporters include Brave Benefactors such as Rose-Marie van Otterloo, Anne Abramson, and Stuart Smith, alongside broader donor and advocate tiers. Marketing is organic and earned-media-led, leveraging coverage on the TODAY Show, Oprah.com, and Washingtonian, plus a multi-platform social presence (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) where past shows are archived for broader reach. The go-to-market is community-led: local volunteer teams adopt the TIMB model rather than purchasing a product, so growth is a function of bottom-up community adoption rather than a centralized sales force. There is no proprietary technology platform underlying the intervention; the core asset is the storytelling methodology itself, validated through peer-reviewed research.

Name

This Is My Brave, Inc.

Legal name

This Is My Brave, Inc.

Website

https://thisismybrave.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

This Is My Brave, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit that combats mental illness and addiction stigma through live theatrical storytelling events produced by volunteer teams in the U.S. and Australia, serving individuals with lived experience, local communities, and general audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Awareness Programming

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nonprofit & Cause Communications (BPAFADAK)

Keywords

• Mental health awareness
• Anti-stigma programming
• Storytelling theater
• Community mental health
• Lived experience narratives

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Support: As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, This Is My Brave operates primarily through charitable donations from individuals and organizations. The organization lists named benefactors, patrons, advocates, and allies who contribute financially to support its mission. The initial 2013 Kickstarter campaign raised over $10,000 from community supporters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

This Is My Brave produces live theatrical storytelling events in which individuals share true personal stories of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, and other challenges to break stigma and let others know they are not alone. Shows are produced locally by volunteer production teams or partner nonprofits that follow the established TIMB framework, with a College Edition tailored to university audiences. The programming has been validated through randomized controlled trials by the University of South Florida's STAR Lab.

Product overview

This Is My Brave, Inc. offers a single, unified mental health intervention product called 'This Is My Brave - The Show,' a live theatrical storytelling program where individuals share personal stories of recovery from mental illness and addiction to break down stigma. The organization has expanded with a 'College Edition' targeted at university audiences. The shows are produced locally by volunteer teams or partner nonprofits, and the programming has been evaluated as a public intervention through a partnership with the University of South Florida's STAR Lab.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• This Is My Brave - The Show A live theatrical event in which individuals are empowered to speak openly about their experiences with mental illness, substance use disorder, or other challenges to break down stigma and let others know they are not alone. Shows are produced locally by volunteer production teams or partner nonprofits under the TIMB framework.
• This Is My Brave College Edition

Quantifiable outcome

• 110+ unique shows produced since 2014
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of South Florida STAR Lab (Stigma Action Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024This Is My Brave is now available as a public mental health intervention through the University of South Florida's Stigma Action Research (STAR) Lab. The STAR Lab has partnered with TIMB for seven years to evaluate anti-stigma programming, and has conducted multiple research studies including randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals. STAR Lab has transitioned TIMB from an independent nonprofit to a validated public intervention.
• This Is My Brave Australia (TIMBA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017In 2017, This Is My Brave expanded internationally with the help of mental health advocate Tim Daly who leads TIMBA, a nonprofit organization in Canberra, Australia. TIMBA operates as a licensed international branch, following the TIMB show framework and methodology to bring anti-stigma storytelling to Australian communities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI is the largest US grassroots mental health nonprofit, providing education, support groups, and advocacy. Comparable as a mission-aligned incumbent operating broadly in mental health, with overlapping anti-stigma work and local-chapter distribution.
• Mental Health America: Mental Health America is a longstanding community-based nonprofit addressing the needs of those living with mental illness through advocacy, education, and screening. Comparable as a broader incumbent in mental health awareness and public-facing anti-stigma programming.
• Fountain House: Fountain House is a mental health nonprofit operating a clubhouse model for people living with mental illness. Comparable as an established mental health nonprofit focused on community and lived experience, though its model is service delivery rather than theatrical storytelling.

Direct peers

• The Moth: The Moth is a nonprofit that produces live storytelling events where individuals share true personal stories on stage—the same core format as This Is My Brave, though broader in topic. Both rely on community-curated storytellers, live theatrical presentation, and broadcast/podcast distribution of recorded shows.
• Active Minds: Active Minds is the largest nonprofit supporting mental health awareness among college students, with chapters on 800+ campuses. Closely comparable to TIMB's College Edition vertical and its peer-led, awareness-focused (rather than clinical) model.
• StoryCorps: StoryCorps is a nonprofit that records and archives personal conversations between everyday people, sharing lived experience through audio storytelling. Comparable in mission (amplifying authentic personal narratives), nonprofit funding model, and use of recorded storytelling as a public good.
• Bring Change to Mind: Bring Change to Mind is a mental health anti-stigma nonprofit founded by actor Glenn Close that produces awareness campaigns and peer-led programming. Directly comparable as a mental health anti-stigma nonprofit focused on public-facing storytelling and education rather than clinical service.

Emerging players

• The Jed Foundation: The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults, with strong campus partnerships. Comparable as a mental health nonprofit targeting the same young-adult demographic as TIMB's College Edition, though its model is consultative rather than theatrical.
• Born This Way Foundation: Born This Way Foundation, founded by Lady Gaga, is a nonprofit working with young people to build kinder, braver communities and improve mental health resources. Comparable as a celebrity-founded mental health awareness nonprofit leveraging storytelling and lived experience.

Others

• Headcount (formerly VH1's Telluride/Vote or Die era peer group): Headcount is a nonprofit that leverages live music events to drive civic engagement. Comparable as a nonprofit that uses live events/entertainment venues as a distribution channel for social-cause messaging—an analogous "nonprofit + live event" operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thisismybrave
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thisismybrave
• Facebookfacebook.com/thisismybrave
• Instagraminstagram.com/thisismybrave

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about This Is My Brave, Inc.