“If the development staff gets to really understand the interests and the direction that a potential donor wants to go in terms of how they give their money, it just sets up a wonderful situation where the development staff then can early recognize opportunities that would really fit the bill. When someone brings you an opportunity to participate in something that really touches your heart, it’s pretty easy to say yes.”

– Byrd Larberg 

In today’s podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant David Snow talks with Byrd Larberg, a Houston-based geologist who also is a long-time board member and major donor for the YMCA of Greater Houston and the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina.

Byrd shares insights gleaned from his many years as a board member and donor. He focuses heavily on the importance of an organization aligning potential donors with projects and campaigns that speak to their interests. The same is true, he shares, for board members who are most likely to take an active role when they are used in ways that play to their strengths and interests.

David and Byrd’s conversation tackles questions such as:

·     How can development staff nurture relationships with donors?

·     What makes for a successful non-profit board leader?

·     How can development staff support board members?

Byrd shares important information and has great stories to back it up!

About our guest

Byrd Larberg is a geologist and principal at GMBL Consulting in Houston. Previously,he was vice president of international exploration and vice president of geosciences at Burlington Resources, and he also has held leadership positions at Unocal and Shell Oil Co. He is a long-time board member of and major donor to the YMCA of Greater Houston and the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina.