Big W’s support and dedication for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation was on display as they celebrated reaching the million dollar…
A new leadership program launched by Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation has exceeded fundraising targets exponentially, and has just scooped a major prize at the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s national award ceremony.
The Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (ELiP) program is comprised of 14 young professionals who have been partnered with mentors and speakers who are high profile business people and philanthropists.
In the first year of the program, the group – which was divided into two teams – was challenged to raise $30,000.
The first team raised funds for an innovative 3-D facial imaging project to improve care for aboriginal children in rural and remote areas. Targeting corporate donors, the group’s strong marketing and PR skills saw them secure a $355,000 major gift, which meant their fundraising goal soared 1200% above target!
ELiP Program Manager Deirdre Whiston (left) with other Foundation staff members Anne Smith and Jessica Bezerra (right) accepting the FIA Award.
Meanwhile, the second team launched ‘The Big Splash WA’, a public art campaign to fundraise for new therapies to support children and youth with mental health disorders. To date, they’ve raised $75,000 – 250% above target – and aim to raise $500,000 in total when the Big Splash launches later this year.
Our CEO, Denys Pearce, says the ELiP program has been a success beyond expectations.
“Thanks to the program, our Foundation has received a new income stream to fund initiatives to improve child and adolescent health, expand our supporter network, gain access to new partners and pioneer the development of WA’s next generation of philanthropists,” Mr Pearce says.
“We would like to thank all the ELiP participants, mentors and speakers for their involvement and dedication to the program, without them such huge success and major impact on child and adolescent health in this state would never have been possible.”
The Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program was awarded the ‘Major Gifts’ accolade at Fundraising Institute Australia’s 2017 awards night on Thursday 23 February.
Find out more about the program here.
Fast Facts
• In 2014 Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation identified a need for future leaders to embrace and drive philanthropy.
• As a result, the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (ELiP) program was launched.
• The unique program was designed to benefit not only West Australian kids, but also support the career goals of its participants, and the greater long-term objectives of its partners and donors.
• We investigated national and international research to identify fundraising trends and discover programs that successfully engaged the younger generation.
• Business leaders and industry experts were surveyed to find out what they wanted from their future leaders.
• The target market of young business leaders comprised of bright people, busy with both their professional and personal lives and who wanted to use their skills to create a long-lasting legacy.
• The program challenged participants to develop a deeper sense of self-awareness, learn about critical community issues and discover collaborative solutions to necessitate change.
• Thanks to the resulting income, and an inventive approach to fundraising, PCHF and Princess Margaret Hospital can now provide new clinical programs that will drive much-needed change in Child and Adolescent Health throughout WA.
