Principal of Why Not This + Associates, Gary serves as our chief strategist and researcher. In his tenth year of fundraising, he has assisted many non-profit organisations to plan, research, implement, and evaluate their fundraising and marketing efforts.

Prior to becoming a fundraiser, Gary was an award-winning research scientist for over a decade.

He is the author of several papers in the field of human infectious disease at the molecular level.

Gary’s earlier training gives him a distinct advantage when it comes to converting scientific concepts and messages into everyday language.

Now Gary focuses his work on modelling activity to develop and manage campaigns.

A life-long learner, Gary is committed to keeping abreast of industry trends, methodologies, and technologies.

Gary has lectured on Marketing Communications and Fundraising, as well as Online Fundraising for FIA Victoria’s SKILLS course.

Earlier this year he delivered a successful presentation at FIA’s national conference in the field of digital marketing.

He is a regular speaker at non-profit conferences and active with the Fundraising Institute Australia and the Australian Direct Marketing Association.

Sharon Hillman has been working in Fundraising for the last 23 years. She studied a Bachelor of Business Tourism and imagined herself promoting this great country we live in … but then she fell into a Fundraising Role and it got into her blood. She now says she would not work anywhere else other than the not-for-profit sector.

Sharon’s professional career includes Fundraising & Public Relations management roles with Kilmany Family Care (Gippsland), The National Ageing Research Institute, The Deafblind Association and currently with Austin Health and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre as Director of Fundraising & Development.

Sharon has served as a past President of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) in Victoria (2008 & 2009) and been an active member of the FIA Victoria Executive for the last 15 years. She has served on voluntary Boards of Management of a small not-for-profit organisations. Sharon is committed to making a difference in her community and loves the privilege of being able to do this professionally through her work in the not-for-profit sector.

Sharon was the youngest person within Australia to have been awarded the honour of being made a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia in 2008. She has been volunteering with the Fundraising Institute in various roles for the last 15 years, and has convened or presented at various training activities over that period.

Dan has 16 years’ successful income generation experience in the health, community and medical research sectors, for various sized not-for-profit organisations in London and Melbourne. Most of this experience has focused on relationship fundraising, particularly working with philanthropic trusts and foundations. 

Dan has completed Red Cross’ Emerging Leaders Program, run in collaboration with the Melbourne Business School and Melbourne University. He has significant experience with leading high-performing teams, developing and implementing fundraising strategies, developing successful funding submissions, maintaining strong relationships with funding bodies, major gift fundraising, and government grants, tenders and direct pitches. Dan is passionate about the development of the not-for-profit sector. 

Having two young children, he is now qualified to tell dad jokes.

Gavan began his career in philanthropy and fundraising after a distinguished career as a teacher and educational leader in Australia and the United Kingdom. He now shares his accumulated wisdom and experience to advance philanthropy practices in Australia.

Gavan’s engaging nature and extensive experience means NFPs, schools, universities, Foundations and businesses (CSR), seek his energetic input. His main areas of expertise are: -

• Assist organisations establish sustainable fundraising programs
• Inspire and inform Boards and executive staff about the potency of endowments and the rewards gained from a culture of philanthropy
• Advise corporations about CSR programs
• Help donors assess their giving strategy
• Motivate organisations to collaborate to achieve maximum results for their cause
• Securing Major gifts, establishing bequest programs, running major fundraising campaigns
• Thanking and Stewardship
• Database management, policies and procedures
• Stakeholder engagement
  

His accumulated wisdom and experience have also been used to help families develop philanthropic programs, goals and agendas.