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.
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.
Click HERE to join.
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 to be advised.
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.
International Development Philanthropy Group
This group is for Australian major gifts and trusts and foundations fundraisers that work in the international development field. Contact Pearl Lee here to join.
Australian Philanthropy Network (APN)
Introducing the Australian Philanthropy Network (APN) – a national network 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 four online peer learning events each year focused on a major gift topic with the potential for some localised in-person networking activities in each state. Please join your new 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 co-chairs Tessa Irwin and Steffi Chang at tessa.irwin@maas.museum and steffi.chang@plan.org.au with your name, position, and organisation.
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 Nathaniel Links or 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 arrears such as lead warm-up and re-engagement. The group also discusses telemarketing campaigns related to their lead generation as well as others including upgrade, reactivation, and decline campaigns. Members share campaign results, fundraiser training, and engagement approaches and strategies to ensure high call and data quality.
Members are encouraged to contribute to the quarterly agenda to gain the most value from the group. This group is a space to learn from each other, ask and answer questions, and share our experiences with our fundraising peers. It is also an opportunity for charities to collaborate with representatives from the FIA and PFRA who attend the start of each meeting to discuss relevant updates within the sector.
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.
