WOW! What an unforgettable four days at FIA Conference 2025! We were so thrilled to be part of this inspiring event once again. The FIA Conference is an annual gathering for fundraising professionals, uniting a diverse community dedicated to creating meaningful impact. It serves as a vital platform for learning, networking, and exchanging innovative ideas that shape the future of fundraising in Australia and beyond.
The conference kicked off with a powerful opening session, setting the tone for an inspiring and insightful event. It was incredible to hear where the fundraising sector is headed and how we can all contribute to its growth. A huge thank you to Mark Phillips from Bluefrog Fundraising for such a thought-provoking keynote!
Capturing the Highlights
One of our favourite parts of being involved in the FIA Conference was capturing the energy of the event as Social Media Support Sponsors. We loved getting around to different sessions, chatting with speakers and delegates, and sharing their insights with the wider fundraising community. If you spotted us with a camera in hand, we hope you said hi!
Learning from the Best
The lineup of speakers did not disappoint! Some of the speakers we had the pleasure of speaking with were Erin Hamalainen from Slingshot Data and Adriana Aguilera from The Fred Hollows Foundation, who shared their expertise on leveraging data for fundraising success. Their insights were invaluable, offering practical strategies that attendees could take back to their organisations.
An Evening on Sydney Harbour
We were fortunate enough to join the team from Precision Group on a harbour cruise, taking in the sites of the magnificent Sydney Harbour at night. It was great catching up with clients as well as the fantastic Michelle who is the brains behind Fundraising Nest and Nest Fest, another event we had the pleasure of being involved with last year.
What a lovely way to spend the evening!
Recognising Excellence
A highlight of the conference every year was celebrating the incredible achievements in the sector at the Fundraisers’ Gala Awards Dinner. And we were lucky enough to be seated with one of the winners! A massive congratulations to Climate Council on their well-deserved recognition. It was wonderful to see so many dedicated organisations, finalists, and winners being acknowledged for their hard work and impact.
Catching Up With Clients
One of the best things about being in a room full of Not-for-Profit organisations, there is a good chance we are going to bump into some of our clients! It was fantastic to also see some of those interstate clients that we don’t get to catch up with on a regular basis and get out from behind the screen.
Smashing Myths & Breaking Barriers
Day 3 kicked off with the highly anticipated Myth Smashers session, challenging long-held beliefs in fundraising. Special congratulations to Saarah Abdeen for her compelling response to the myth “We can’t ask new patients to give!” Her insights sparked meaningful discussions and encouraged fundraisers to rethink traditional approaches.
A Grand Finale
As the conference wrapped up, we were thrilled to present the major prize in our competition to the First Light Widowed Association—a truly deserving cause. We can’t wait to work with you!
Until Next Year!
After four jam-packed days in Sydney—attending sessions, meeting inspiring people, and even catching up on a boat—it’s safe to say we had an absolute blast. A huge thank you to everyone who made this conference so special. Until next year, FIA!
