Natalea Iskra
Posted inPhilanthropy

Philanthropist in the making

His role as a philanthropist was one of the key factors contributing to Simon McKeon being named Australian of the Year. Natalea Iskra recently interviewed McKeon on his philanthropic journey and views. His role as a philanthropist was one of the key factors contributing to Simon McKeon being named Australian of the Year. Natalea Iskra recently interviewed McKeon on his philanthropic journey and views. From breaking world speed sailing records to reaching soaring investment banking heights, to taking out the country’s most prestigious award earlier this year … Simon McKeon has accomplished many remarkable feats in his 55 years. However it is his role as a benefactor and nonprofit leader…

Posted inUncategorised

Get to know your donors through surveys

In keeping with this edition’s data theme, this best practice article looks at the power of donor surveys to fill in the gaps about your donors to drive better fundraising. Story by Natalea Iskra. In keeping with this edition’s data theme, this best practice article looks at the power of donor surveys to fill in the gaps about your donors to drive better fundraising. Story by Natalea Iskra. Getting to know your donors is key to having an ongoing, mutually enriching supporter relationship. The more insight you have into each person on your database, the better you’ll be able to tailor your fundraising approach for the best results. But how…

Posted inUncategorised

The future of database management

A number of innovations have emerged which are transforming the way nonprofits handle data and are opening new possibilities for the sector. Natalea Iskra investigates. A number of innovations have emerged which are transforming the way nonprofits handle data and are opening new possibilities for the sector. Natalea Iskra investigates. It’s no secret that the proficiency with which an organisation manages donor data has a direct impact on how much money they have to put towards their cause. According to Paul Freeman, community relations and fundraising director for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, there are three key reasons why having a sound and sophisticated database management system…

Posted inPhilanthropy

When Philanthropy Meets Feminism

The Women Mobilising Millions campaign urges women to invest in women and girls, for the benefit of the greater community. The campaign reflects a trend among female philanthropists in Australia, as Natalea Iskra reports. The Women Mobilising Millions campaign urges women to invest in women and girls, for the benefit of the greater community. The campaign reflects a trend among female philanthropists in Australia, as Natalea Iskra reports. “In the next ten to fifteen years, most philanthropic money in Australia will come from women.” Whatever you might make of this prediction by Kristi Mansfield, a philanthropist and director/founder of social investment advisory firm Greenstone Group, there’s no denying that women…

Posted inFace-to-face fundraising

Media Workshop Helps F2F Save Face

Last October’s negative press surrounding face-to-face fundraising has prompted industry heavy weights to work together to develop a unified response to any future negative media coverage. Natalea Iskra reports. Last October’s negative press surrounding face-to-face fundraising has prompted industry heavy weights to work together to develop a unified response to any future negative media coverage. Natalea Iskra reports. Last Friday, media and fundraising managers from nonprofits that conduct face-to-face (F2F) programs hunkered down in a full day media training workshop in Sydney. The workshop, led by media expert and founder of Hootville Communications, Brett de Hoedt, is intended to ensure that in the event of future negative media coverage of…

Posted inUncategorised

Credit Card Chaos

A change in the way banks process credit card payments has resulted in massive losses in regular income for many nonprofits. Natalea Iskra investigates the impacts and what nonprofits can do. A change in the way banks process credit card payments has resulted in massive losses in regular income for many nonprofits. Natalea Iskra investigates the impacts and what nonprofits can do. ‘Bat Auth’. Two tiny words that add up to a monumental amount of lost donations for the sector. Put simply, Bat Auth (short for Batch Authorisation) refers to a credit card processing system implemented by the banks. Prior to the Bat Auth implementation, when a charity submitted credit…

Posted inMajor Gifts

The State of High Value Giving

How are major gifts programs and capital campaigns surviving the aftermath of Australia’s personal wealth shrinkage? Natalea Iskra investigates. How are major gifts programs and capital campaigns surviving the aftermath of Australia’s personal wealth shrinkage? Natalea Iskra investigates. During the last financial year, the coffers of prosperous Australians took a severe battering. In fact, according to The Boston Consulting Group’s global wealth report, the downturn has slashed Australians’ personal wealth by a staggering 27%. What impact has this had on major gifts programs and capital campaigns – the two areas of fundraising most reliant upon personal wealth? F&P recently spoke with a number of fundraising managers and industry leaders to…

Posted inAppeals

Swap donors for acquisition

The Prospect Shop recently introduced donorXchange, a low cost list-swap network that offers charities a high degree of control. Natalea Iskra reports. The Prospect Shop recently introduced donorXchange, a low cost list-swap network that offers charities a high degree of control. Natalea Iskra reports. List Swapping for Acquisition Mailings Acquisition mailings can be a terrific way for nonprofits to recruit new donors. Yet, for many organisations, purchasing or renting lists is a major hurdle. An alternative is swapping donor information with other nonprofits. The Prospect Shop has recently introduced donorXchange, an alternative to database co-ops. donorXchange is a peer-to-peer, reciprocal list swap network designed specifically for Australian and New Zealand…

Posted inDigital Fundraising

Dearly departed help raise funds

Living Years is a new memorial website that provides a platform for charities to maximise their in-memoriam program. Natalea Iskra explores how it works. Living Years is a new memorial website that provides a platform for charities to maximise their in-memoriam program. Natalea Iskra explores how it works. Honouring Loved Ones Online Living Years is a bereavement care website that allows families to honour the memory of their deceased loved ones through personalised ‘Lifebooks’. Here, the nearest and dearest of the deceased can upload photos, stories, audio eulogies and videos. The idea for Living Years was conceived by a group of people in Perth who saw a compelling need for…

Posted inUncategorised

From blank canvas to work of art

For Jane Wynter, a reluctant four-month stint at the Art Gallery of NSW blossomed into a successful 15-year fundraising career. Natalea Iskra paints the picture of Wynter’s arts adventure. For Jane Wynter, a reluctant four-month stint at the Art Gallery of NSW blossomed into a successful 15-year fundraising career. Natalea Iskra paints the picture of Wynter’s arts adventure. Jane Wynter is a force to be reckoned with. In her 15-year career as benefaction manager at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, she has raised over $26 million, significantly enhanced the gallery’s reputation within Australia and abroad and assured the future health of the gallery’s acquisitions fund. With such an…