Jimmy in Saigon: How I Obtained $300,000 from 750 Contributors to Discover the Truth About My Brother

      Peter McDowell is the director and producer of *Jimmy in Saigon*, a new documentary exploring the enigmatic death and transformative life of his brother Jimmy McDowell, a 24-year-old Vietnam veteran who passed away as a civilian in Saigon in 1972. McDowell's prior works, including the highly regarded *I Dream of Dorothy*, have been presented at film festivals globally. In the following piece, Peter McDowell discusses his efforts to raise funds to uncover and share his brother's story. —M.M.

      My oldest brother Jimmy tragically died in Vietnam in June 1972 at the age of 24. He was the eldest of our family of six, while I was the youngest at just five years old. At that time, I couldn't fully grasp the situation; however, nearly four decades later, the enigma surrounding Jimmy’s death motivated me to embark on what would ultimately become my first feature documentary, *Jimmy in Saigon*.

      In 2010, having made several award-winning short films but lacking formal film school education, I resolved to reveal the true story of my brother’s life and death and document it on film. Residing in Brooklyn and in a transitional phase of my career, I felt a creative urge. I was inspired by the potential of HD video, a relatively new technology at that time. With my last $2,000, I purchased a second-hand HD camera and sound equipment, then began interviewing anyone who had known Jim.

      I set out on a mission with my camera in hand. However, I quickly recognized the urgent need for funding. I recruited friends as volunteer camera operators and eventually hired others to film important scenes. Lacking personal wealth and aware of the hurdles in securing grants (which often have less than a 1% success rate), I developed a website and found a fiscal sponsor.

      I also shared posts about *Jimmy in Saigon* on social media, calling upon friends and family to help create a support network and gather donations for the project. It’s a misconception that one must immediately seek funds from strangers — your primary supporters, even without wealth or philanthropic intentions, can play a crucial role in connecting you with potential funders. Your main donors will often be people you never met but who are nonetheless loosely linked to you.

      My experience in fundraising helped maintain momentum. I frequently expressed gratitude to donors, provided updates, and involved them in the journey. By 2016, I realized I needed to finance my first trip to Vietnam to retrace Jimmy’s steps and piece together his identity. I initiated an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign with a brief teaser and enlisted friends—some paid, some volunteers—to assist with it.

      We managed to raise $20,000, just enough to reach Vietnam. That footage transformed everything. We now had something tangible: exhilarating material that invigorated supporters and revitalized the project.

      In 2018, after a few promising yet unsuccessful “salon” screenings of a 15-minute teaser, I arrived at a pivotal moment. What if I organized five fundraising events in five cities where I had lived or had connections? I selected Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and my hometown of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. With the aid of local host committees, I set up events in free or low-cost spaces. Each event featured a teaser screening, food and drinks, a silent auction, a short musical performance, and a live interview between myself and a locally recognized figure. These events raised $30,000 and attracted 300 new supporters, propelling a vital stage of post-production.

      Throughout the journey, we applied for grants but rarely received them. Instead, I focused entirely on individual donations. I nurtured relationships, kept supporters informed, and invited them to join us in the project’s progression. I launched a $1,000 Angel donor program and sent out a physical progress report—actual paper!—to donors and prospective supporters. Many of our top donors contributed multiple times over the years.

      I established recognition levels—“Champions,” “Contributing Producers,” “Co-Executive Producers”—but more importantly, I treated them as friends. We exchanged personal updates, discussed the film's progress, and celebrated each achievement together.

      The Advantages of Creating *Jimmy in Saigon* with Individual Donors

      Now, after nearly 15 years, 40 festivals, and 16 awards with *Jimmy in Saigon*, I can confidently assert that raising money from individual donors was invaluable. It was not only a financial strategy but also a creative and communal one. The support I received not only financed the film but also influenced its essence. It taught me how to build a network around a narrative, maintain long-term investment from supporters, and create something profoundly personal that resonates universally.

      These days, I share my experiences with others—experiences that depended on building relationships, creativity, and persistence rather than institutional support or large grants. I strongly recommend this