Build your capacity, challenge yourself and create positive change
PLEASE NOTE: applications are closed as of Wednesday 27 May. We have been overwhelmed by the response and number of applicants and decided to close applications early. We are currently in the process of responding to applicants. If you have any questions about your application please contact Marta, our Community Fundraising Manager, at [email protected].
Our 2020 NFP Fundraising & 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.
While this non-profit professional development program focuses on training fundraising, communications and community organising skills, it aims to give a basic skill set for anyone who wants to step into the social change sector. The program will also cover introduction to some of the other core areas valuable to anyone wanting to work in the not-for-profit environment.
"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 via this link!
Please note: the program will take place despite COVID-19. In fact, because we've had to ensure all sessions can be accessed online, for the first time we are able to extend the Fellowship to participants across Australia. We’re really excited to turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth and innovation and hope you can join us!
About the fellowship
Following the huge success of our 2019 Fellowship program, we are back bigger and better, looking for a new group of up to 25 committed volunteers to join us in 2020.
This Fellowship has been designed to give those interested in working in the not-for-profit, communications and climate sectors a range of skills and experience foundational to all these sectors, mainly focussing on fundraising, community organising and marketing. This professional development program will be most valuable to people at the start of their career or those looking to transition to working in the non-profit sector.
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 develop and implement an ambitious real-life crowd fundraiser in a fun and supportive environment.
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, community organising and communications in a not-for-profit setting. Topics covered in the retreat and weekly seminars will include (but will not be limited to):
- Fundraising strategy
- Communicating to inspire action and social change
- Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising
- Volunteer recruitment and engagement
- Digital marketing and social media
- Effective conversations and active listening
- Personal Narrative Training
- Community organising and campaigning
- Narrative, values-based communication and framing
- Working and breaking into the not-for-profit sector
What's in it for you?
"The Fellowship gave me the confidence to engage my friends, family and strangers in conversations about climate change. I learnt valuable skills in fundraising, events, and community organising and felt overwhelmed by the positive response and support I received when taking part in the crowdfunder. I encourage anyone who wants to act on climate change, build knowledge/skills in the NFP sector, and make connections with others who share the same values to apply!" - Fi Casey, 2019 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, community organising 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 inspiring thousands of people to take action on climate change 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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Develop your professional profile, particularly in the climate change and not-for-profit sectors
Commitment
Successful applicants are expected to attend the weekend retreat on 18-19 July (and possibly 25-26 July if restrictions are still in place), communications workshop on 8-9 August and a minimum of 80% of weekly seminars (mostly on Tuesdays).
Outside the seminars, you will work with other Fellows and C4C staff to run our annual crowdfunder and make it a success. This will include volunteering on various aspects of planning, setting up and running the crowdfunder, as well as fundraising and recruiting and supporting a small team of fundraisers yourself.
All up, this should amount to an average of 5 to 10 hours of work per week over the four months.
Key Selection Criteria
We are looking for applicants with the following skills and attributes:
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Passion and willingness 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
- Initiative and creative thinking
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Ability to set high goals and achieve them
- Organised with excellent time-management skills
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Willingness to learn and tackle new challenges with a positive attitude
Key dates
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Welcome dinner - Thursday evening, July 2, 2020
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Kick off retreat - Saturday & Sunday, July 18-19, 2020 (and July 25-26 if COVID-19 restrictions in place)
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Communications workshop - Saturday, August 8 (and August 9 if COVID-19 restrictions in place)
- Weekly training sessions - Tuesday evenings, 6-8pm, from July until early November 2020
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Crowdfunder launch event - Monday evening, September 21, 2020
Please note: due to COVID-19, the format and date of the events and trainings listed above might have to change at a short notice. If the circumstances require it, the retreat might need to take place over two weekends, and a significant percentage of our trainings sessions and events might need to take place online only.
Location
Because we've had to ensure all sessions can be accessed online due to COVID-19, for the first time we are able to extend the Fellowship to participants across Australia.
However, if at any point during the Fellowship we are able to start holding sessions in person, participants based in Melbourne will be expected to attend sessions in person and participants from outside of Melbourne will be expected to join them online (via Zoom).
If we are able to run our trainings and events in person, they will take place at locations within the inner suburbs of Melbourne (CBD and/or Brunswick).
Cost
Worth thousands of dollars, the training in this Fellowship is offered free of charge as participants will fundraise for Climate for Change as part of their project work. However, participants will need to cover the costs of the retreat in July, which will be confirmed at a later date and will be kept up to $100. Some full and partial scholarships will be made available to applicants based on need.
To Apply
Applications are open now - please apply by filling out this application form.
“I would say to any future fellows, just go for it! 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