Guest blog by Sally Shepherd, Executive Manager Membership and Marketing - Fundraising Institute Australia.
There I was working in a successful corporate membership organisation in the IT industry in a lovely shiny office in the city. I travelled in style nationally and internationally, but something was missing.
I wasn’t truly fulfilled and after eight years in the job, I resigned. I didn’t know where I could find a position that fulfilled my love for variety having been in PR, events, marketing, production, customer service, relationship management, recruitment, advertising, exhibitions, and promotions.
A role came up at a Charity on Sydney’s Northern Beaches which sounded interesting. Luckily it didn’t require fundraising experience but did need a diverse range of skills which I had. I got the job, so I left my shiny office in the big smoke and ventured to a rather unusual establishment made up of a mottled mix of buildings and factories into a new job in Fundraising which I knew nothing about!
I must confess, I did wonder what I was doing but something felt right. From day one, I watched the receptionist engage with the employees with disabilities around the reception area and was so impressed at her empathy and person-centered approach. I reported to the Deputy CEO and was so engaged by his passion for people with disabilities that I started to feel like this was the place for me. Having a company car was a bonus and I was very happy with the salary and FBT benefits.
This was the beginning of my Fundraising career and I’ve never looked back!
After four years with the Sunnyfield Association my next Not-For-Profit (NFP) role was at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) who were Members of Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA). I had the opportunity to learn about the sector’s peak body and what it did to support fundraisers.
The RMHC team participated in the annual conference and did various courses for my professional development. It was very important for them, as a well-known brand, to be FIA Code Compliance, indicating that their national fundraising activities were best practice.
As the contract ended, I moved to Vision Australia where I benefited further from the incredible training that FIA provided. My boss was and still is an avid FIA supporter and kindly sent me to FIA’s Madison Down Under in Adelaide for three days of incredible leadership training – what an experience.
The professional fundraisers that lead the sessions helped me so much in advancing my professional career. The fundraising team were able to go to the FIA Conference to further expand our skills and increase our networking and profile. These were always so beneficial and such a great way to reenergise my passion.
From here I worked at McGrath Foundation and HammondCare before moving to the peak body of Health and Medical Research where I continued to work with charities and For-Purpose organisations in a membership and marketing capacity.
After three years I missed the Fundraising sector and managed to secure a similar position at Australia’s peak body for Fundraising, FIA!
I’m so blessed to be able to support amazing social impact and change through the work we do for the fundraising sector. FIA has been part of my journey from the start and will continue to be in the future. Beaumont People have also played a big role in helping me recruit a great team and in placing me in some of the roles I’ve mentioned.
FIA helps educate and guide Australia’s fundraisers to ensure they are the best fundraisers they can be.
If you are a fundraising charitable organisation, an individual fundraiser or a supplier to the sector, then please join Australia’s only peak body for professional fundraising.
The next full membership period commences 1 July – 30 June 2024. We’re excited for the year ahead and look forward to continuing to support the Fundraising sector.
Click here to learn about the FIA membership.
Click here to watch our video on transitioning to the NFP sector.
Enquiries: members@fia.org.au
Phone 1300 889 760
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