Gembridge is proud to sponsor the Leadership & Emerging Issues track at the FIA Conference and feature Rachael as Co-Chair, bringing her expertise and passion for innovative fundraising leadership. Known for championing collaboration and creativity, Rachael is helping shape conversations that matter. A huge thank you to Rachael and all the volunteer committee who make this track and conference possible!
Read more about Rachael…
As we wrap up another busy year, this is a great time to take stock of our accomplishments and is a powerful opportunity to pause and ask ourselves: 👉 Am I spending my time in a way that feels meaningful? 👉 Do I feel connected to the impact I’m making?
From all of us at Gembridge, we’re sharing some of our favourite ideas to keep you entertained, inspired and relaxed this Summer season.
We had the pleasure of attending the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) Victoria End of Year Celebration and Awards Night. It was such a great evening connecting with many familiar faces across the sector and celebrating the incredible work achieved throughout the year.
Gembridge is proud to sponsor the Leadership & Emerging Issues track at the FIA Conference and delighted Heather returned as Co-Chair, a passionate advocate for bold, values-driven leadership. Heather’s commitment to mentoring emerging fundraisers and shaping the future of philanthropy makes her an inspiring force in the sector and a valued part of the Gembridge network. A big thank you to Heather and all the volunteer committee who bring the conference to life!
Let’s hear from Heather…
Gembridge is proud to spotlight Paul as Chair of the Program Committee for 2026 FIA Conference, aptly named Impact Amplified. Paul recently stepped into his current role as Campaign Director at World Vision through Gembridge and brings exceptional energy and commitment to connecting generosity with purpose.
This year’s conference will feature 9 Specialist Tracks over 3 days, 7 pre-Conference Masterclasses, and 3 Keynote Sessions. A huge thank you to Paul and all the volunteer committee who make this possible!
Now let us hear from Paul…
Case Study: Camberwell faced a significant challenge: to recruit a senior fundraising professional capable of leveraging the existing foundation of philanthropy and connections to achieve growth, and implement a strategic and integrated program.
Why certify as a B Corp so early?
Gembridge became a Certified B Corporation in 2022—just a few years after launching. We wanted to embed purpose from the start, building strong frameworks and a lasting commitment to people, planet, and profit.
With only 19 certified recruitment agencies in Australia, we’re proud to stand out in a sector of 8,000. Early certification keeps us focused on impact, ethics, and continuous improvement—reflected in our rising B Impact Score.
Getting the position description (PD) and a well-defined brief right is critical to successful recruitment and retention. It goes beyond a simple list of tasks and ideal profile—it sets the tone, clarifies expectations, and attracts candidates who are truly aligned with the role and organisation.
With turnover rising, applications surging, and restructures on the rise, change is the new constant. Discover the key trends shaping recruitment in the for-purpose sector and how smart planning can help you build resilient, purpose-driven teams.
Alisa is driven by a passion for health equity and meaningful impact. “I love being part of a team committed to improving health outcomes across our communities,” she says, reflecting her dedication to values-driven work and collaborative fundraising at Cancer Council NSW as a Trusts & Foundations Specialist.
As Head of Philanthropy at Vinnies Victoria, Chris is driven by impact and collaboration. “All good things happen collaboratively,” he says, reflecting on a career shaped by community, connection, and a deep respect for those delivering frontline services.
Michelle and I recently attended the Educate Plus Vic/Tas Chapter Summit at Carey Baptist Grammar School. It was a packed program discussing issues across Admissions, Alumni and Community Relations, Fundraising; and People and Culture.
In the spirit of appreciation, we ran a competition on our LinkedIn page where we invited our network to nominate fundraisers making a real difference in Australia, and whose work deserves to be recognised. We had initially planned to gift three Endota Gift Cards, but the response was so great that we awarded a fourth. Here’s to the winners – may you enjoy some well-earned relaxation after tax time!
As a recruiter, I often meet candidates with impressive backgrounds who don’t quite hit the mark in interviews - not because they lack experience, but because their delivery lets them down. The truth is, how you present yourself can be just as important as what you’ve done.
In this case study, Gembridge shares how we partnered with Learning for Life Autism Centre to appoint a purpose-driven leader who could guide the organisation through growth and change. See how strategy, collaboration, and sector insight made the difference.
We’ve just completed that process, and we’re proud to share that not only did we recertify, but we also increased our B Impact Score from 103.1 to 108.6.
It’s been a big week of events! Tessa shares her insights from attending the CEOs in Fundraising event, the Down-Under Tour with Ken Burnett, and speaking at the FIA Victoria event on growing your donor pool, strategies for donor acquisition and retention.
We were so excited to see that Francine Poisson was awarded the FIA fellowship.
With over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Francine is the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships at the Black Dog Institute, a leading Australian medical research institute dedicated to mental health across the lifespan.
Here is what Francine has to say after we put her through the Gem Spotlight questions…
Sharon Hillman FFIA has received the prestigious Arthur Venn Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to fundraising. With over 30 years of experience, she has been a leader, innovator, and advocate for best practices.
A dedicated member of FIA, Sharon has served as Past President of FIA Victoria, a Board Member, and a volunteer on key committees, helping to shape the future of fundraising in Australia.
Let’s see what Sharon has to say when we caught up with her…
James recently had the honour of being named Fundraiser of the Year 2025 at FIA’s prestigious Awards of Excellence, an accolade that recognises his extraordinary impact and leadership in the fundraising sector.
A common theme emerged across many of the discussions: investing in the right people and resources isn’t just an expense—it’s the key to long-term success. If we want to put more great in our good, we need to ensure we have the right foundations in place to drive impact.
This year marks five years since I joined Gembridge. It’s been an eventful five years for me both professionally and personally. What a ride!
An important part of a recruitment process is the phone screening. This stage allows recruiters narrow down the pool of possible candidates to take through to formal interview. From a candidate perspective, this is your second opportunity to shine (first being your written application!).
Gembridge was launched in 2019 with a fresh logo, website, a strong vision, and a wealth of recruitment experience and passion. I’m very proud on how far we have come.
With the rise of candidates using AI tools during interviews, it’s tempting to rely on an AI co-pilot to assist you in real-time. However, it’s important to exercise caution.
Starting a new job is a journey—one that’s both exciting and challenging. The important thing to remember is that you’re not starting from scratch in a new role; you’re starting from experience. Let’s unpack all the emotions you may feel when starting a new role.
A few last updates from Gembridge to close out 2024 and to welcome in 2025.
According to Team Gembridge, these are some of the best ways to spend your holiday season in Melbourne - eating, watching, listening and doing!