Build your capacity, challenge yourself and create positive change
Our 2019 Fundraising and Communications Fellowship is an exciting opportunity for up to 25 people with passion, drive and initiative to develop skills and experience valuable to the not-for-profit and climate sectors, while making a tangible difference to Climate for Change and the work that we do.
"It's honestly been one of the most life-changing experiences I've had. I'm just so inspired by how much of a difference we can actually make." - Cait Coffey-Wong, 2017 Fellow
Sounds exciting? Apply here!
About the fellowship
Following the huge success of our 2018 Fellowship program, we are back bigger and better, looking for a new group of up to 25 committed volunteers to join us in 2019.
This Fellowship has been designed to give those interested in working in the not-for-profit, advocacy and climate sectors a range of skills and experience foundational to all these sectors.
Over four months you will attend weekly seminars with a select and passionate group of volunteers to learn from experts in their field. Over that period, you will also work together to design then implement an ambitious real-life crowd fundraiser in a fun and supportive environment.
The first part of the Fellowship will involve weekly sessions covering everything from fundraising strategy to values-based communication delivered by industry experts, while the second part will focus on project work. To ensure you have the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete these projects, you will be trained and supported by experts in a range of fundraising and communication fields.
This is a great opportunity for someone wanting first-hand experience in the not-for-profit sector, while gaining fundamental skills needed for fundraising, communications and community organising.
Knowledge and skills
The Fellowship curriculum has been designed to expose our Fellows to almost all aspects of fundraising and communications in a not-for-profit setting. Topics covered in the retreat and weekly seminars will include (but will not be limited to):
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Fundraising strategy
- Communicating to inspire action and social change
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Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising
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Project management
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Social media
- Volunteer recruitment and support
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Digital storytelling
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Personal Narrative Training
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Database management and NationBuilder
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Pitching
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Community organising
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Values-based communication
- Narrative and storytelling
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Working and breaking into the not-for-profit sector
What's in it for you?
"Participating in this year's Fellowship was truly an unbeatable experience; the array of skills I've gained from it (fundraising, communication, teamwork, project management, etc!) have been invaluable. I now feel way more empowered to advocate for effective climate action. I wish I could do the entire thing again!" - Daniela Spilkin, 2018 Fellow
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Gain valuable practical experience in the not-for-profit and climate change sectors
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Receive formal training in many aspects of fundraising and communications in the not-for-profit sector from experts in their fields
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Develop your skills on a real-life fundraising project
- Be part of a dynamic organisation reaching thousands of people and make a meaningful difference to Climate for Change and the work that we do
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Meet and work with like-minded people, making lifelong friends and connections
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Have access to mentors and networking opportunities
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Develop your professional profile, particularly in the climate change and not-for-profit sectors
Commitment
Successful applicants are expected to attend the weekend retreat from 1st to 4th February, the strategy day on 9th February and a minimum of 80% of weekly seminars (mostly on Tuesdays). Outside the seminars, applicants are expected to contribute meaningfully to their project group and participate in the crowdfunder the groups develop, including fundraising. All up, this should amount to an average of 5 to 8 hours of work per week over the four months.
Key selection criteria
Applicants should be prepared to commit to the Fellowship goals, attending the retreat and nearly all seminars.
We are looking for applicants with the following skills and attributes:
- Passion to make a difference
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills
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Ability to work collaboratively within a team
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Proven ability to work independently to achieve results and meet deadlines
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Initiative and creative thinking
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Ability to set high goals and achieve them
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Organised with excellent time-management skills
Key dates
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Welcome Dinner – Thursday January 24, 2019
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Three day retreat - evening of February 1 to evening of February 4, 2019
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Strategy Day - Saturday February 9, 2019
- Phonebank - TBA March 2019
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Crowdfunder launch event - TBA April 2019
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Weekly sessions from 6pm to 8:30pm on Tuesdays from February until early June 2019
Location
Our weekly training sessions will be held in Melbourne CBD. The retreat will take place at a location 30 minutes drive from Melbourne. Our events locations are TBA, however they will all take place in Melbourne.
Cost
Worth thousands of dollars, the training in this Fellowship is offered free of charge as participants will help fundraise for Climate for Change as part of their project work. Participants will need to cover the costs of the retreat (accommodation, food and transport). These costs are yet to be finalised, but we aim to keep them as low as possible (around $500 for three days). Some full and partial scholarships will be made available to applicants based on need.
To Apply
Applications are now open - please apply here.
We will be accepting candidates on a rolling basis and will aim to be in touch within 2-3 weeks. Thank you!
“I would say to any future fellows, just go for it! Even if you don't think fundraising or communications is your 'thing', there are so many vital general skills and also transferable skills that you will learn, and the feeling you get when you know you are making a positive change is the most valuable thing of all.” Alice Anderson, 2018 Fellow