Episode 35 – Beyond the Rugby Pitch: Stewardship, Community, and Nonprofit Leadership

Host: May Harris, Esq.

Guest: Danny Barrett

“I don't look at the Golden Eagles as a nonprofit. I look at the Golden Eagles as a family, as a fraternity, no matter where you are in the world, at any given time.”

- Danny Barrett

In This Episode

The importance of timing and visibility for youth sports participation growth, including how significant Olympic moments during primetime can dramatically impact sports nonprofit development and athlete pipeline programs.

Nonprofit leadership transition can be challenging, especially for professional athletes. On The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris welcomes Danny Barrett, former Olympic USA Rugby player and current executive director of the Golden Eagles Foundation. Danny shares his journey from representing Team USA at two Olympics and two Rugby World Cups to leading the Golden Eagles Foundation. Discover how he leveraged donor relationships and community building to overcome the unique challenges of promoting a niche sport. Learn practical strategies for building strong donor relationships in sports organizations and creating lasting impact through authentic donor stewardship.

Key Takeaways

Insightful moments and lessons from the conversation.

  • Nonprofit leadership transition requires humility and willingness to ask for help. Executive directors should leverage their donor relationships as a source of expertise in areas such as marketing, sales, and strategy, treating supporters as valued team members rather than just as checkbooks.

  • Timing matters for sports nonprofit growth. The 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medal for women's rugby may have come "four years too early" - the 2028 LA Olympics during primetime could dramatically increase youth sports participation, similar to the 1999 Women's World Cup impact on soccer.

  • Successful donor stewardship and community building extend beyond the sport itself. Creating family-like connections through international travel, social events, and personal introductions transforms supporters into a loyal fraternity that mirrors rugby's inclusive culture and values.

Guest Bio: Danny Barrett

Danny Barrett serves as Executive Director of the Golden Eagles Foundation, a 501(c)3 supporting USA Rugby National Sevens programs. The organization provides fiscal support for international competition and career advancement through its CARE program (Career Advancement Rugby Enhancement). Danny is a former USA Rugby 15s & 7s athlete, two-time Olympian, University of California, Berkeley graduate, three-time collegiate rugby National Champion, and five-time All American. He is the father of 2 beautiful children and married to the love of his life.

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