Now that we’re almost halfway through the year, it’s clear that 2023 is shaping up to be a successful year for not-for-profits looking to engage with the government and garner support from everyday Australians.  

Many of the Albanese government’s policies are being made on the basis of fairness and equity, and the upcoming federal budget will likely be focused on helping to relieve the cost-of-living crisis. As those on the ground across our communities, not-for-profits are finally within the corridors of Parliament House.    

This has been the catalyst for Fifty Acres bringing together not-for-profits with Canberra commentators, political insiders, researchers and strategic advisors to help bolster communication and engagement across the NFP sector. 

The For Good Not-For-Profit Conference will be hosted at the Monster Kitchen and Bar on 8 August and will help not-for-profits develop a strong government engagement strategy, to take their organisation forward.  

Attendees will hear from:  

• Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Federal Member for Fenner 
• Andrew Apostola, Chief Executive Officer, impact-driven UX agency Portable 
• Peter Lewis, Executive Director, Essential Media, publisher of The Guardian’s Essential Report and founder of collaborative research platform Civility 
• Darren Fittler, Partner, Gilbert & Tobin 
• Jessica Dharmasiri, Head of Strategy & Projects, Generation Australia 
• Jamie Wilson, Founder of Coordinate 
• David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange 

CEO Jo Scard said not-for-profits must be ready for each and every budget. 

“In our experience,  the Albanese government are certainly listening, and ready to engage. Now more than ever, you must know what your ask is, and be ready to meet with ministers who can help make it happen,” said Scard.  

Why you should attend the conference 

We will help you with the tools to craft a government engagement strategy, to secure support and investment. 

It’s clear that Australians have a desire for change, evident in the string of Labor state government victories since the federal election in May 2022. The current government is taking a new direction after the Coalition’s time in office when many NFPs didn’t achieve the investment they needed.  Fifty Acres have noticed a gear shift this year, reflecting support for NFPs, and social enterprises. 

Building advocates and supporters in government has two major advantages; increasing the likelihood of receiving budget funding and financial support, and giving your organisation a seat at the table during relevant conversations in your sector.  

Connecting with government representatives in a meeting or at an event, allows your organisation to communicate your mission and purpose in your own voice, directly positioning your NFP as a leader and expert in your industry.  

Our NFP clients have had great success in engaging the government in recent months by setting up meetings, holding events, and forming strong relationships with state and federal members of Parliament. 

We can show you how to level up your owned media assets to create an integrated and functional online presence 

Having an aligned, integrated online presence is crucial in 2023. Your website, email marketing, and social media all play a crucial role in the way your organisation is perceived and represents the first touchpoint in your audience’s journey.  

As a user, it’s pretty clear when an organisation prioritises their user’s experience and accessibility in their online assets. An intuitive flow, text clarity, and engaging, relevant images will grab your reader’s attention, and encourage them to keep reading and absorb your content.  

Your design style – colours, fonts, shapes, look and feel – should be integrated, and aligned across your platforms, encouraging recognition and connectedness.  

Creating engaging, accessible content that effectively communicates your why facilitates the feeling of community, encouraging support and advocacy for your organisation.  

You will learn how to utilise earned media to build brand recognition and credibility 

Earned media tells your story using a voice that’s not your own. Media can be perceived as risky, and a little scary,  as a constantly-evolving, uncontrollable medium. However, this can be used to your advantage.  

The changing nature of the media landscape means there is a growing number of avenues to showcase your organisation. While traditional outlets are still widely consumed including free-to-air television, radio and print newspapers, there is also a whole wave of new media ready for your use, like online channels, social media, podcasts, and streaming services.  

Whether it’s proactive in nature – conducting outreach with a strong, newsworthy story – or reactive – utilising existing narratives to weave in your organisation’s purpose and key messages – media is a fantastic way to increase your reach and introduce your organisation to a whole new audience. Having a third-party take interest in your organisation also builds credibility in the audience’s eyes, highlighting your expertise in the industry, and ensuring your story is amplified.  

You’ll receive all this advice and more at Fifty Acres’ upcoming For Good Conference for not-for-profits, happening August 8 at Monster Kitchen & Bar, Canberra.

For more information, head to: bit.ly/50goodreasons2023