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.
What’s the best thing about your current role?
As always, the best part of working in the NFP world is the impact that our everyday work has for the beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers. It's a comforting balm in difficult times that can be the difference between intimidating goals, or inspiring growth. In my work specifically, it's a real rush of adrenaline to partner with donors to support important work! Equal to securing HNW funding for services is the opportunity to spend time with service deliverers and beneficiaries. At Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul Society Vic), I've been proud to meet the skilled staff who deliver these services and volunteer alongside volunteers like the Vinnies Soup Vans.
What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight?
I got started in NFP after a 7-month international internship learning asset-based development in communities addressing poverty. I was young and went in with a lot of ego. I was deeply challenged by my own limitations when confronted with systemic disadvantage, and it profoundly changed how I understood my contributions to creating change. Namely, that all good things happen collaboratively: We can't do much without working together and helping one-another.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
So many things from so many great mentors: Done is better than perfect; Careers are a marathon - sprinting only looks good now. Don't eat the chicken sandwich from that cafe across the road (a recent key learning).
I remain deeply grateful for the colleagues and managers who invested in me! You know who you are!
What’s one misconception people often have about fundraising or philanthropy?
That it's all tin-shaking: In reality, fundraisers have to somehow become expert advocates of the services we are supporting because we want to connect donors as closely as feasible to the reality of delivering change. It's not enough to say, 'this service addresses homelessness', and expect significant support. Instead, I spend a large portion of my time attempting to digest a broad swathe of nuanced social challenges, crisis cohorts, key demographic markers, and evidence-based service design, so that I can advocate for my peers delivering the service accurately and powerfully. We do this for every program we support - it's one of the best bits, and it is always so great when service deliverers understand our appetite for information and are able to share resources!
What do you think the future of fundraising looks like?
While I think many things will stay largely the same, it looks like the ages and stages of donors will be pushed back further in life as housing affordability worsens. We saw during Covid that generational spending varied - younger generations pared back on costs, whilst older generations did not adjust discretionary spending habits. Likewise, younger generations are now entering key stages of life at later (e.g, first home, families), which, among many other consequences, can push forward the ability to consider charitable support commensurate with previous generations at similar ages.
Alongside this, Australia is expecting the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth. With the surge in PAFs, it should be expected that foundation giving via family foundations and perpetual trusts will form a significant foundation of support for charities, while younger generations develop their own wealth and catch up later in life.
What’s a skill or quality that you think every great fundraiser should have?
Learn to use your CRM! Performing your own swift and accurate donor analyses is a lifeline that will reward you time and time again.