Open Call for Fundraising Institute Australasia Training Scholarships

Deadline: 13-Oct-2026

Creative Australia is inviting applications from Australian arts organisations for the Fundraising Institute Australasia Training Scholarships, which support the professional development of staff responsible for private sector fundraising. The scholarships provide access to the FIA National Conference, specialised training in Gifts in Wills fundraising, and limited travel and access support.

About the Fundraising Institute Australasia Training Scholarships

The Fundraising Institute Australasia Training Scholarships aim to strengthen fundraising capacity within Australia’s arts and cultural sector. The initiative provides professional development opportunities for fundraising staff so they can build their skills, improve fundraising practices, and contribute to stronger private sector fundraising and sector leadership within their organisations. Scholarship Opportunities A total of 20 scholarships are available.

Each scholarship provides access to:

- FIA National Conference on the Gold Coast from 24–26 February 2027. - FIA’s three-day online course, Gifts in Wills Fundraising: From A to Z. - Travel support, where required and approved. - Additional access support, where required and approved. FIA National Conference The FIA National Conference is described as the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the Southern Hemisphere. The conference provides opportunities for participants to develop practical fundraising skills and connect with other professionals through: - Masterclasses. - Targeted learning tracks. - Keynote sessions. - Practical skills development. - Innovation-focused learning. - Sector leadership opportunities. Attendance can help arts fundraising professionals gain new approaches and ideas that can be applied within their organisations. Gifts in Wills Fundraising Training Scholarship recipients will also attend FIA’s three-day online course, Gifts in Wills Fundraising: From A to Z. The course is designed to help participants: - Advocate for legacy giving. - Understand and implement Gifts in Wills fundraising strategies. - Strengthen donor engagement. - Integrate legacy giving into existing donor engagement channels. - Develop fundraising practices that support long-term donor relationships. This specialised training can help fundraising staff build their organisation’s capacity to develop and promote legacy giving opportunities. What Does the Scholarship Cover? The scholarship provides several forms of professional development and participation support. FIA Conference Registration The full cost of registration for the FIA National Conference is covered. Gifts in Wills Course The full cost of FIA’s Gifts in Wills Fundraising: From A to Z three-day online course is covered. Travel Support Successful applicants may receive up to $2,000 in travel support if travel is required and approved.

Eligible travel support can cover:

- Return economy domestic flights. - Ground transportation. - Accommodation. Travel funding is limited and may not be available to every successful applicant. Access Support An additional contribution of up to $2,000 is available to support access costs associated with participating in the training opportunity. Access funding is also limited and may not be available to all successful applicants. Who Can Apply? The scholarships are open to Australian arts organisations that primarily operate to provide arts and cultural opportunities for Australian artists and audiences. Each eligible organisation may nominate one staff member who has responsibility for fundraising. The nominated staff member should be able to demonstrate: - Fundraising responsibility within the organisation. - Experience at the Intermediate or Advanced level of the Private Investment Capability Framework. - Readiness to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the scholarship to their organisation’s fundraising practice. Application Requirements Each organisation can submit only one application. The application must include the CV of the nominated participant. Organisations should therefore select a staff member whose current responsibilities and experience are closely connected to private sector fundraising and who can demonstrate how the training will benefit their organisation. Benefits for Arts Organisations The scholarships can help Australian arts organisations strengthen their fundraising capabilities by investing in the professional development of staff.

Participants can gain

- Access to specialist fundraising training. - Exposure to current fundraising practices. - Practical ideas for donor engagement. - Knowledge of legacy giving strategies. - Opportunities to learn from fundraising professionals. - Professional networking opportunities. - Skills that can be applied directly within their organisation. The programme can also contribute to stronger fundraising leadership and greater capacity to secure private sector support for arts and cultural activities. Important Funding Considerations Applicants should note that travel and access support are subject to availability and approval. While each scholarship covers the full cost of FIA Conference registration and the FIA Gifts in Wills course, the additional support for travel and access costs is limited. Applicants should therefore consider their potential travel and access requirements when preparing their application. Frequently Asked Questions How many scholarships are available? A total of 20 scholarships are available. What does each scholarship provide? Each scholarship covers one ticket to the FIA National Conference, attendance in the three-day online Gifts in Wills Fundraising course, and travel support if required and approved. When and where is the FIA National Conference? The FIA National Conference will take place on the Gold Coast from 24–26 February 2027. What is the Gifts in Wills Fundraising course? It is a three-day online FIA course designed to help fundraising professionals adv