Special Interest Groups for professional fundraisers

Members and non-members alike are welcome to join any of the groups listed below to further develop their skills and network. Whilst these groups may not necessarily be managed directly by FIA we do strongly support them and promote them to the sector as they are an important way to address specific issues many fundraisers share in their day to day activities.

If you would like to develop a group and take advantage of our support and promotion please contact us via this email members@fia.org.au.

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) collective

FIA BIPOC Collective Meet-up

If you identify, in whole or in part, as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour, you’re invited to join us at our meetings. This is a member-led community of BIPOC fundraisers who connect, network and have thoughtful conversations, open to both FIA members and non-members.

For more information please contact Christine Anderson at Christine.anderson@acf.org.au.

The next meeting will be Tuesday 26 March @ 12pm AEST. Please email Christine for an invitation.

Data

CRM & Data User Group
This forum is for campaign/fundraising managers, data team managers and senior data analysts. This forum is technology agnostic, focused on approaches and problem solving rather than specific tools, and covering the following areas:

• CRM implementation and project management
• campaign management, automation & tracking
• analytics capabilities
• user adoption
• data quality management.

This group is currently unavailable. We are working with the team with the aim to reactivate this SIG as soon as possible. Our website will be updated with further details when available.

Digital

Digital Fundraising
This is for fundraisers and marketers engaged in digital fundraising for their organisation. This group is transitioning to online catch-ups and more information will be available soon.

Digital Special Interest Group
Catch up on the latest trends, challenges, and strategies around digital fundraising and marketing. Look out for sessions in FIA email communications or the FIA state page. Although affiliated with FIA, this group is open to both FIA members and non members working in the digital fundraising and marketing space.

General Fundraising

Australian Fundraisers Network
An online Facebook forum for not-for-profit fundraisers based in Australia to share ideas, arrange meetups and build better movements for social change. This is for those working for NFPs rather than consultants, agencies or suppliers – this will allow users to chat freely. You can join the Facebook group here.

The Fundraisers Ideas Exchange
FIX (Fundraisers Ideas Exchange) empowers fundraisers to share ideas with the aim of fostering a more collaborative and proactive industry. We do this by providing opportunities for networking, up-skilling, idea sharing and discussion. Check out our Facebook group for details of our next event, and to keep the conversation going. This group is currently online and open to anyone in the fundraising sector. You can join the Facebook group here.

Fundraising for a Small Charity 
This group is for those who work and fundraise within a small organisation (under $1million in private fundraising income). Meet with sector colleagues, ask questions, hear stories and share your challenges. This group is facilitated by Sharon Elliott, CEO, Ethiopiaid, and is open to those working within charities only (open to charities and individual fundraisers not sector suppliers).  All welcome! Date for next meeting will be advised but to express interest please email members@fia.org.au.

Event Fundraising

Australian Event Managers Forum (AEMF)
This forum has been established to enable those working on events in the Australian not-for-profit sector to share information, advice, and experience in an open and secure environment. AEMF also organise networking and educational events several times a year to discuss a topic of interest, hear from key speakers within the sector, and network with colleagues from other charities. Join in and experience the benefit of instant contact with like-minded people working towards the same goals. You can join the Facebook group here.

Face-to-face Fundraising

The Irregular Giving Project
A movement for not-for-profit fundraisers in Australia – with the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent national shutdown of F2F, the Irregular Giving Project was conceived as a rare opportunity to transform the landscape of F2F fundraising in Australia and New Zealand. Over 100 charity, supplier and consultant fundraisers are combining their knowledge and experience and are committing to taking action to improve the quality and impact of F2F for donors, suppliers, charities, and beneficiaries. Register at www.irregulargiving.me to be part of the conversation.

Gifts in Wills

Gifts in Wills Special Interest Group
Supported by Include a Charity, this discussion group meets up once every two months to discuss the latest trends and practices in gifts in Wills. This is currently run online and for free for everyone.

Major Gifts, Philanthropy and Development

Apra Australia
Apra Australia supports the professionalisation of the fundraising sector by providing development opportunities for fundraising professionals with an interest, or role, in using evidence and information to pursue the right fundraising prospects, for the right amount, for the right time, and the right project. Members will get the opportunity to grow their skills in prospect research and prospect management from fellow professionals by networking, mentoring, learning in focused webinars, a conference, newsletter, and online discussion forum. You can get involved here.

Cultural Development Collective
The Cultural Development Collective is a networking group for development professionals (fundraising and sponsorship) working for cultural organisations in the Sydney region. The purpose of this group is to encourage sharing of knowledge across our industry and to foster peer support. Join their LinkedIn group to learn more.

Australian Philanthropy Network (APN)

The Australian Philanthropy Network (APN) is a national peer-learning community for major gift and philanthropy fundraising professionals. Run by and for major gift fundraisers, the former NSW and VIC Philanthropy Special Interest Groups have combined forces to create this national network. In keeping with our ethos, APN is free to join and participate for all Australian fundraisers working in the major gifts space.

As members, you will be invited to 4 online peer-learning events each year focused on major giving & philanthropy as well as occasional state-based in-person networking events. Please join our private APN LinkedIn group for members to connect, share news, and hear the latest group updates.

APN welcomes new members from across Australia at any time via our network of volunteers, ambassadors, and friends. To join, please contact hello@australianphilanthropynetwork.com with your name, position, and organisation. APN is co-chaired by Tessa Irwin and Steffi Chang, and administered by Rachael Lance.

We encourage all members to contact their State Ambassadors via LinkedIn to find out about any upcoming in-person networking events:

  • Roxy Kavanagh (VIC)
  • Samantha Rosenfels (NSW)
  • Andrea Morris (ACT)
  • Gabi Nind (WA)
  • Genevieve Deaconos (QLD)

Marketing

Direct Marketing User Group
This group for direct marketers in professional fundraising meets up quarterly to discuss the latest updates, trends and challenges in direct marketing. Fill out this form or contact Roz Brown to join.

Telemarketing & Lead Generation User Group
The Telemarketing and Lead Generation User Group is an opportunity for charity representatives to come together, share ideas and learn from each other. The group meets quarterly to share wins and learnings from lead generation trials, to gain and provide feedback on each other’s ideas, and to learn about what others are doing in areas such as lead warm-up and re-engagement. They also discuss telemarketing campaigns related to lead generation and upgrade, reactivation, and decline campaigns. Members share campaign results, fundraiser training, and engagement approaches and strategies to ensure high call and data quality.

This group is a space to learn from each other, ask and answer questions, and share experiences.
The in-person meet-up is hosted in Melbourne, however a Zoom link is provided to members who are unable to attend in person. During COVID, all meet-ups have been hosted via Zoom.

Contact Tori Burns here to join.

Trusts and Foundations

The Victorian Hospitals and Research Institutes Trusts & Foundations Group
This is a local Victorian network for people who have responsibility for the trust and foundation fundraising portfolios in medical research institutes and hospitals. This group connects online and in-person. To join in, contact Richard Prentice here.

Corporate Partnerships (NEW)

Corporate Partnership Special Interest Group – Queensland

Are you or someone you know a Corporate Partnership Specialist for a not-for-profit or social enterprise in Queensland? 

In September 2023, a Corporate Partnership Specialist Interest Group, “Partnerships for Purpose Group – QLD”, was formed. Quarterly, the group plans to meet in person (in Brisbane) and virtually, focusing on a relevant topic of interest to this fundraising sector. The purpose of this group is professional networking and an opportunity to learn and share in a supportive group.

Join the private LinkedIn group to learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14310262/