The Funding Network welcomes two new appointments to the team: Kristen Lark, who joins as General Manager, and Lauren Tuck, as Partnerships & Events Manager. A former SVP and partner at a global communications consultancy, Kristen helped launch TFN in 2013 and previously served on the Sydney Leadership Council. Lauren joins TFN from fundraising technology firm Givergy, where she was Senior Manager of Fundraising & Accounts of its Canada operations.

Welcoming the announcement, Julie McDonald said, “Both Kristen and Lauren bring a wealth of corporate and non-profit experience to TFN and I’m incredibly excited to welcome them to the team. Their breadth of knowledge and solid understanding of the sector will be a huge asset to TFN as we enter the next stage of our growth and success.”

According to McDonald, as TFN looks to its next phase of growth, the need to build the capacity of grassroots non-profits is more pressing than ever.

According to the latest Australian Charities Report, small to medium charities with under $1 million in revenue, account for 78 per cent all non-profits in Australia but receive just 3.4 per cent of the sector’s total revenue. This, and a lack of access to networks is impeding social innovation in Australia.

TFN is committed to narrow that gap so grassroots charities can be contributors to an ecosystem of local service delivery.

TFN increased its impact by 49 per cent year-on-year in 2019, facilitating $2.6 million to 63 social change programs. Since 2013, the organisation grew its community over 10,000 forward-thinking and generous individuals, partners and non-profits. TFN has facilitated over $11 million in support for 280 non-profit projects across areas spanning homelessness, domestic violence, migrants and refugees, disability, women and children, and mental health.

“Our incredible growth is proof that there’s a growing appetite for collective giving,” McDonald said. “TFN’s highly inclusive model is making philanthropy accessible to all by connecting grassroots changemakers with people who care and want to help. It’s this connection that makes social change possible.”