Experience

Centre for Australian Progress

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Philanthropy Manager

  • Jul 2022 - Present



Cathy Kirwan Consulting

• Director

  • Apr 2010 - Jul 2022

  Providing a range of consultancy services to the non-profit sector including strategic planning, strategy development and implementation across communications and fundraising, income generation and business development, grants management, partnership development, and workforce planning and development. Clients include: - Interplast Australia and New Zealand - Pride Foundation Australia (formerly GALFA) - Social Firms Australia - Gasworks Arts Park - Polyglot Theatre Providing a range of consultancy services to the non-profit sector including strategic planning, strategy development and implementation across communications and fundraising, income generation and business development, grants management, partnership development, and workforce planning and development. Clients include: - Interplast Australia and New Zealand - Pride Foundation Australia (formerly GALFA) - Social Firms Australia - Gasworks Arts Park - Polyglot Theatre



SisterWorks Inc.

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Philanthropy, Communications and Advocacy

  • Mar 2021 - Sep 2021

  SisterWorks mission is to support women from migrants, refugees or asylum seeking backgrounds with meaningful opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Our vision is an Australia where all migrant and refugee women are financially empowered. SisterWorks mission is to support women from migrants, refugees or asylum seeking backgrounds with meaningful opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Our vision is an Australia where all migrant and refugee women are financially empowered.



Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV)

• Director of Communications and Marketing

  • Mar 2019 - Feb 2020

  DVRCV is a Victorian not-for-profit with a vision to create a world in which women and their children are thriving, respected and free from violence. For over 30 years DVRCV has been one of Victoria’s most independent, expert and trusted source of information, training and workforce development initiatives in the family violence and the prevention of violence against women sectors. DVRCV is a Victorian not-for-profit with a vision to create a world in which women and their children are thriving, respected and free from violence. For over 30 years DVRCV has been one of Victoria’s most independent, expert and trusted source of information, training and workforce development initiatives in the family violence and the prevention of violence against women sectors.



Pride Foundation Australia

• Philanthropic Fundraising Services

• Communications Manager

  • Sep 2017 - Mar 2019

  Pride Foundation Australia (formerly GALFA) is a charitable foundation whose purpose is to provide funds for charitable activities/organisations which have as their sole or chief purpose/outcome, the good and betterment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex people and allied communities, in Australia. Pride Foundation Australia (formerly GALFA) is a charitable foundation whose purpose is to provide funds for charitable activities/organisations which have as their sole or chief purpose/outcome, the good and betterment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex people and allied communities, in Australia.



Strategic Grants Pty Ltd

• Research Manager

  • Apr 2016 - Mar 2018

  Strategic Grants mission is to enable non-profit organisations to establish sustainable, cost-effective grant-seeking strategies to deliver projects that fulfil their organisational missions. The company's vision is to build the capacity of non-profit organisations to apply strategic thinking to their service delivery and fundraising programs. Strategic Grants mission is to enable non-profit organisations to establish sustainable, cost-effective grant-seeking strategies to deliver projects that fulfil their organisational missions. The company's vision is to build the capacity of non-profit organisations to apply strategic thinking to their service delivery and fundraising programs.



Amaze (Autism Victoria)

• Fundraising and Communications Manager

  • Sep 2015 - Mar 2016

  Amaze is the Victorian peak body for people on the autism spectrum, their families and supporters. Since 1967, Amaze has given information and support to people on the autism spectrum, their families, professionals, government and the community. Today Amaze continues to provide information and also raises awareness and builds understanding of autism. Amaze is the Victorian peak body for people on the autism spectrum, their families and supporters. Since 1967, Amaze has given information and support to people on the autism spectrum, their families, professionals, government and the community. Today Amaze continues to provide information and also raises awareness and builds understanding of autism.



Interplast Australia & New Zealand

• Australia
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fundraising & Communications Manager

  • Jan 2015 - Aug 2015

  Interplast sends teams of fully qualified Australian and New Zealand volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to the Asia Pacific region to provide free surgical treatment for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services.

• Communications Manager

  • Feb 2014 - Jan 2015

  Interplast sends teams of fully qualified Australian and New Zealand volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to the Asia Pacific region to provide free surgical treatment for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services.



Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

• Australia
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Fundraising and Communications Manager

  • Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is the largest provider of 25 aid, advocacy and health services for asylum seekers in Australia, delivering services to over 1,250 asylum seekers at any one time through programs such as material aid, health, legal, counseling, casework and foodbank. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is the largest provider of 25 aid, advocacy and health services for asylum seekers in Australia, delivering services to over 1,250 asylum seekers at any one time through programs such as material aid, health, legal, counseling, casework and foodbank.



Polyglot Theatre

• Australia
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Philanthropy Manager

  • Feb 2012 - Jan 2013

  Polyglot Theatre is an internationally renowned children’s theatre company creating interactive and experiential theatre works that engage children in the creative process and empower them as decision-makers in art and life. Key Responsibilities and Achievements • Development and implementation of a fundraising and development strategy for the organisation incorporating grant-seeking, annual giving and major giving program. • Successful applications for funding to trusts and foundations totalling over $150,000. • Management of relationships with all individual donors and staff at a range of trusts and foundations that support the organisation’s work. • Ongoing submissions of grant applications and acquittals.



Telstra

• Australia
• Telecommunications
• 700 & Above Employee

• National Coordinator - Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund

  • Aug 2009 - Apr 2010

  The Telstra Foundation is the independent philanthropic arm of Telstra Corporation’s community investment program. The Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund supports community-based projects that provide children and young people with opportunities to reach their full potential. Key Responsibilities and Achievements • Coordination of the Community Development Fund providing $3.5 million annually in grants. • Management of relationships with all grant recipients. • Ongoing provision of strategic advice to board and senior management.



Abbotsford Convent Foundation

• Tenant Liaison Manager

  • May 2008 - Aug 2009

  The Abbotsford Convent Foundation manages the Abbotsford Convent site, an arts, culture and learning precinct. The role of the organisation includes management and restoration of the heritage buildings and grounds, further development of the precinct as a destination venue, and management of all onsite tenant and public activity. Key Responsibilities and Achievements • Management of relationships and engagement with over 90 key stakeholders on site. • Provision of strategic advice to senior management in relation to tenant disputes and issues. • Accountable for ensuring a primary organisational income stream worth $1 million per annum. • Management and support of tenant community development projects including an annual studio open day, tenant’s retail space, and tenant advisory groups and sub-committees.



Women's Health In the North (WHIN)

• Australia
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Health Promotion Team Leader

  • Oct 2006 - Apr 2008

  WHIN is the regional women’s health service for the northern metropolitan region of Melbourne. WHIN provides health information and education to women; training on women’s health issues; innovative health promotion and community development projects; and research and advocacy on women’s health and wellbeing needs.Key Responsibilities and Achievements• Management of Enterprising Women – an award winning economic participation and microfinance program.• Management of a range of community arts programs and public events.• Acting Executive Director for 3 months while the organisation recruited for the role.• Secured over $110,000 in new funding and sponsorship to support current and new program development.• Management of a team of 7 health promotion, community development and project workers.

• Acting Executive Director

  • Jul 2007 - Dec 2007



The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA)

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Team Leader

  • Feb 2006 - Oct 2006

  The Foundation for Young Australians is a philanthropic trust, which supports young people aged 12-25 years to develop leadership personally, and in their communities by funding the implementation of innovative community projects. The Foundation manages an annual portfolio of grants of approximately $8 million.

• Initiative Manager

  • Feb 2003 - Oct 2006

  The Foundation for Young Australians is a philanthropic trust, which supports young people aged 12-25 years to develop leadership personally, and in their communities by funding the implementation of innovative community projects. The Foundation manages an annual portfolio of grants of approximately $8 million.Key Responsibilities and Achievements• Responsible for the national implementation of Youth Led Futures Indigenous Grants Program• Leadership of a portfolio of 4 national grant programs.• Management of a portfolio of program budgets totalling over $1 million.• Oversight of community development programs in 15 communities around Australia including project management, monitoring and reporting, and development and documentation of policy and practice.



JOY 94.9

• Manager of Volunteers

  • Mar 2002 - Feb 2003



REFS Training and Consultancy Services

• Training Consultant

  • Jan 2001 - Mar 2002