Name: Basil Lyberg
Title: Executive Director, 24 Hours of Booty
Location: Charlotte
Number of years as a fundraiser: 13 years
Number of years at current organization: 4 years
What inspired you to do this work?
I’m inspired by people and how passionate they are to go out to raise funds for missions that are close to their hearts. You have people who send emails and host events which take time and energy away from family and work – so when people step up because of the impact that an experience has had on them personally it is inspiring and motivates you to go the extra mile to make sure that they are successful.
What has been your proudest accomplishment as a fundraiser?
With every position I have held I have been able to help people go beyond what they thought was possible or what they thought their own abilities were. That may have been helping someone hit a training goal when I worked with Push America or helping someone put together a fundraising plan to hit $10,000. I am proud of what I have done to work with people to help them realize their potential on or off the bike. It is the common thread throughout my career and drives everything I have been able to do.
What’s a fundraising tactic you’ve employed in the last year or two that you’d suggest others try?
The biggest thing that we have been able to do is connect people to the mission and ensure that they see where the money they raise goes. We bring them to the cancer centers and give them a chance to hear from doctors and survivors. Secondly, we connect with our teams, meeting with them one-on-one, which takes time, but it is worth it when they exceed their goal or realize that something that they were worried about is easier than they thought. It is our job to make sure that they have the tools they need to hit the ground running and be successful. It’s really about the people and the relationships.
What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in athletic event fundraising?
Take the time to learn as much as you can. It is easier to look at what’s next and want to move up, but taking the time early in your career to learn sets you up for success later.
Editor’s Note: Not long ago, the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum conducted a series of interviews with leaders in the field to gain insights that would be helpful to their fellow fundraisers. As we prepare for a New Year, we wanted to share some of the best interviews here. Look for more P2P Spotlights in the coming days.