A unique bequest society for a unique college

The St Beryl Society launched by Burgmann College this year takes it origins from the stuff of legend, when founding residents may or may not have “kidnapped” comedic duo Peter Cook and Dudley Moore from the Canberra Airport on 13 September 1971.
While the kidnapping part is most certainly mythic, the enterprising group of ardent fans did gatecrash the press conference for the pair’s famous 'Behind The Fridge' tour, and did successfully persuade them to come to a celebratory dinner in the College Dining Hall. Read on to discover more about how we worked with the College to develop its bequest communications and provide advice for the launch of the St Beryl Society.

#Global20 – Interview with Douglas Gautier, CEO & Artistic Director, Adelaide Festival Centre

Many of the best cultural organisations and art centres worldwide are very cognisant of their responsibility to diversity and accessibility. With Australia being one of the most multicultural communities on the planet, Douglas Gautier, CEO and Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Centre knows only too well where arts and culture flourish generally, so does harmony and tolerance and a better understanding of walking in somebody else's shoes.

In this interview our Vice President of Australia, Lincoln Size, talks to Douglas about how philanthropy has contributed to the arts and culture in Australia, examines the role of corporates in arts philanthropy and asks what advice he would give to philanthropists who may be wondering how to have the greatest impact with their support of the arts.

#Global20 – Interview with Mark Ruffo, Chief Development Officer, Landesa

Around the world nearly 2.5 billion people rely on land for their livelihoods yet many do not have the tenure to their land necessary to thrive. Securing land rights for the world’s poorest people is the work of Landesa, who in 2022, received a $20 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

In this interview we hear from Mark Ruffo, who explains why they don’t accept government funding, their capacity building in the Global South and how they are uniquely positioned to help 400 million rural women realise the benefits of strength and land rights by 2027.

#Global20 – Interview with John Pepin, Chief Executive, Philanthropy Impact

Recent times have seen a massive jump in the amount of data and insights available. Quality research data is providing powerful and indisputable evidence, none more so in the philanthropic sector than that from Philanthropy Impact.

In this interview John delves in to the sometimes-confusing terminology used in philanthropy, HMRC's research on giving trends and what philanthropists really expect from their advisors.

Webinar transcript – Donor Stewardship: the key to success

This webinar focused on donor stewardship, tailored from minimum best practice standard to aspirational levels, to suit every scale of operation.

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Our authentic selves and doing diversity right.

Donors are already changing. For fundraisers, investing in diversity and inclusion means to change the established fundraising system that caters largely to white male donors and apply more adaptive and empathy-based practices to engage ever diversifying donor communities.

Story book open with illustrated mountains climbing up from the pages

Developing your compelling Case for Support

Understanding and articulating your Case for Support to donors can be challenging—we can suffer the curse of too much knowledge or, alternatively, be too close to the coal to see the broader scope of our vision. Yet getting this step right is not only critical to our fundraising success but can make our role as fundraisers so much easier.

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Fundraising during COVID-19: Time for decisive yet measured action

Yet while the familiar major gift cycle for principal donors is almost the same as for major donors, it is important to realise there are some subtle but critical differences.

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Asia – Relationship fundraising and political risk

To understand Asia, you need to understand the importance of relationships, and to do successful fundraising, you need to be good at relationship management.