Thomas “Tom” Briggs first experienced SVP Boulder County as a board member of InReach, a former nonprofit participant in our Catapult program.
“InReach provided mental health services to sexually abused children,” says Briggs, who retired in 2013 after a career in both the private and public sectors, and service in the U.S. Navy’s special operations. “While the organization has closed since then, I greatly benefited from the Catapult program as a client and nonprofit participant. It was a terrific experience.
“Then my wife died from cancer four years ago, and I was looking for ways to get involved in our community. Jennie Arbogash and others were really great about inviting me to SVP functions, and I decided that becoming a Partner would be a meaningful thing to do.”
Continues Briggs, “My private sector experience led me to appreciate the SVP model – the combination of Partners, money, and skills applied to improve the operations of nonprofits immediately communicates value-add.
“It has so many advantages – everyone has skin in the game, everyone’s committed. What that leads to is the passion our Partners demonstrate every day in working with local nonprofits.”
To date, Briggs – an investment banker by profession who also served as Senior Policy Advisor at USAID, and as Executive Director of the HELP Commission created by Congress – has completed several assignments supporting local nonprofits in the process of hiring new leadership (including SVP Boulder County). He’s also enjoyed stepping into an evaluation role for a Catapult participant.
“After my wife died, I decided I would find ways to support nonprofits in her memory,” Briggs concludes. “She encouraged me to get involved with InReach, and I’ve gone on to serve as Board Treasurer of Voices for Children of Boulder County and the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County. Beyond that, SVP gives me the opportunity to engage with nonprofits more generally.”
