FIA Conference 2024

FIA Conference 2024
Guest blog by Sally Shepherd, Executive Manager Membership and Marketing - Fundraising Institute Australia.
FIA Conference 2024 is the meeting ground of curiosity and creativity, empathy and action. Fundraisers from across the country bring their passion for change to this event to develop their skills, innovate, share and be inspired to increase their impact further.
It attracts leaders, managers and specialist fundraisers alike, with sessions to suit all levels of expertise and fundraising experience. The conference features plenary sessions, masterclasses, international keynote speakers and over 100 local experts and Australia’s largest fundraising exhibition of companies dedicated to supporting the for-purpose sector.
The Role of the CEO in Fundraising Excellence
This year’s program features a leadership track for emerging and embedded leaders with individual speakers from charities and supplier organisations and several expert panels to address key issues including:
- Leading Through Fire; Building Trust
- The Importance of Overheads, and
- Behaviours for High Impact Leadership.
One of the keynotes speakers, Usha Menon, says, ‘Show me an organisation where fundraising thrives, and I will show you an organisation where the CEO leads and sustains a culture where every stakeholder believes in resourcing the mission.’
Her masterclass will unlock the power of leadership in fundraising excellence and show how it can be the catalyst for change. Usha will explain how essential effective leadership is for driving engagement, performance, and organisational success. The role of the CEO in fundraising excellence is that of the strategist and its Chief Ecosystem Officer, to drive this success.
This session will delve into the mindset required to deliver fundraising excellence, breaking down the psychological barriers that could potentially be holding an organisation back.
It will provide practical tools designed for CEOs, Senior Management, and Board Members, including frameworks for fundraising evaluation and decision-making. Delegates will share and compare goals and related strategies with like-minded leaders moving from insights to actionable plans needed for fundraising to not only survive but thrive.

Your ‘Golden Ticket’ to a Career as a Major Gifts Fundraiser
Leaders in the area of Major Gifts have a good understanding of the importance of donor’s interests, motivations, and values, tailoring their engagement accordingly. Donors need to have confidence that their gift will be used effectively to further the organisation’s mission. This session, with Beaumont People, Salvation Army, and Margaret Scott FFIA CFRE, will inspire leaders in this area to develop a greater understanding of the role major gifts has in the suite of fundraising techniques.
With the support of highly regarded major gift fundraisers, trainers and recruiters, attendees will learn what it takes to become a leader in this field and how to prepare for the role. The masterclass is specifically designed to help increase confidence to approach and engage with major gift prospects and donors as well as appreciate the various elements of the development cycle.
The Brains Trust Sponsored by Beaumont People
Beaumont People work in close partnership with FIA and the leaders in the sector and will again this year host a private leadership event for the senior fundraising leaders to support their growth and development. Beaumont People will also be front and center in Australia’s largest exhibition for fundraisers, sharing their expertise on recruitment and working in the sector. You can find them at stand 14.
FIA Conference is created by fundraisers for fundraisers. Next year, it’s a place for your passion to meet purpose. For compassion to meet ambition. And for kindness to meet collaboration.
To encourage attendance FIA offers early bird rates, small charity rates and group discounts – plenty of opportunity to save by booking early.
Register before 13 December 2023 to leverage the discounted offers. Find out more here: FIA Conference
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