Artsupport Australia February 2008 newsletter

We started 2008 with a bang, with a new staff member in WA that will enable more sustained local contact and relationships in that State. Also, with the launch of our new website last November, we will maximise the opportunity that it provides, with ongoing addition of online resources to support your philanthropic fundraising. This newsletter is the first that has been posted on the site, and we are keen to have your feedback and suggestions to keep it current and relevant. Please send feedback to artsupport@australiacouncil.gov.au.

Artsupport Australia newsbriefs

Western Australian Manager

Artsupport Australia is very pleased to introduce Liesbeth Goedhardt as the WA manager. Liesbeth is based in Perth and commenced on 29 January. More

Key organisations philanthropy mentoring program

Following the success of a pilot in 2006/7, Artsupport Australia is again collaborating with the key organisations unit of the Australia Council to deliver stage 2 of the key organisations philanthropy mentoring program. In short, 15 key organisations will be funded for two years in 2008/9 to fund 50 per cent of the salary of a new philanthropy or giving manager for their own companies. More

Sector updates

New Centre for Social Impact (CSI)

A new major initiative, the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) formalises the growing interest in Australia in philanthropy and social investment. It combines the resources of Swinburne University (via the Asia-Pacific Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment), the University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales. It will be located at the UNSW and headed by Dr Peter Shergold.

CSI will provide managerial education, executive support and research for the not-for-profit sector. It will also include grantmaker education and the creation of a new graduate program in fundraising. There will be an active program of subjects throughout 2008. We will keep you updated on progress related to the Centre.

Inviting investment in social enterprises

The Melbourne-based R. E. Ross Trust has produced some guidelines to assist enterprises in the not-for-profit sector to reach an expanded range of potential investors in their work. The publication ‘Inviting Investment in Social Enterprises – A Prospectus Framework for the Social Sector’ is available online at www.rosstrust.org.au.

Sector events and opportunities

New Frontiers - Fundraising Institute of Australia’s 31^st International Fundraising Conference, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre 23-26 February 2008

Key international and local speakers will present on direct marketing, deferred giving, strategic management and marketing, corporate giving and major gifts/capital fundraising. The conference will provide valuable resources and networks for fundraising and development staff. Louise and Liesbeth will both be attending the conference. The full program can be found at www.fia.org.au

Our Community’s intensive ‘Winning Grants’ workshops

A half-day workshop for staff and fundraisers on how to secure grants for their organisation. The workshops provide effective practical training, and will introduce participants to useful resources produced by Our Community, namely the Easygrants newsletters that lists all grants available in Australia. Workshops are held around Australia throughout 2008 and the first will be in Sydney on 22 February. More

Senior executive mentor program

Based on the success of its 2007 program, Non Profit Australia will present a national program in 2008 - next programs begin in Melbourne in April, Sydney in late April and other capital cities may follow. The program brings together corporate professionals and non-profit executives for a 12-month mentoring program. More

Taking Care of Business – a Social Ventures Australia conference. Melbourne 3-4 March 2008 & Sydney 6-7 March 2008

SVA presents this second annual conference of practical learning, providing the essentials of sustainability, growth and fiscal fitness for not for profit organisations. More

Software donations to Australian Not For Profits

Microsoft’s software donation program in 2007 distributed $17 million worth of software to the Australian not for profit sector. In a program that is adminstered by DonorTec, Microsoft provides the NFP sector with software and digital skills training, to enable access to the technology for those investing in positive social change. More

Australia business arts Foundation (AbaF) events

Margaret Lawrence Bequest National Lecture by Frankie Airey: A fresh perspective on arts philanthropy.

This free lecture will explore the role of leadership in encouraging philanthropy, and will offer a practical guide to building successful philanthropic relationships. Designed for board members, chairs and trustees, chief executive officers, general managers and senior executives of arts organisations. It will be presented in all states, starting in Sydney on 14 April.

Frankie has in-depth knowledge of the philanthropic sector in Australia and the UK. In 2003 she founded Philanthropy Squared, a management consulting firm known for its innovative strategies to the not-for-profit sector. More

AbaF awards nominations briefing

This free briefing on 19 March 9:30 - 11:00am at the Australia Council for the Arts in Sydney will provide an overview of all of the award categories and will highlight any changes to the rules and guidelines that come into effect in 2008. We especially encourage you to consider applying for the AbaF Giving Award and nominating an outstanding figure in the sector for the Goldman Sachs JBWere Philanthropy Leadership Award.

Seating is limited, so please register your attendance.

Building relationships and securing donors workshops

AbaF continues its one-day workshops for individual arts practitioners and not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations looking to develop and grow their giving programs. It is suitable for board members, chief executive officers, general managers, development and marketing team members, and is offered in Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne in April. More

Effective annual giving programs

AbaF’s half-day workshop for staff and board members responsible for fundraising, will focus on developing a program to expand the donor support base and bring in regular income from individual donors. The next workshop is scheduled in Sydney on 6 March 2008. More

Applying to foundations

AbaF’s half-day workshop will provide valuable information on applying for grants from trusts and foundations. It will include up-to-date information about trends in philanthropy, advice on the legal structures of foundations and an insight into the motivations and decision making processes.

The next workshops are in Perth and Launceston, in April. More

Australia Cultural Fund information sessions

AbaF’s Australia Cultural Fund is a useful tool for practising artists and not-for-profit cultural organisations without Deductible Gift Recipient status. This two-hour session will be presented nationally, starting in Sydney on 28 February. More