From Pitch to Impact
From Pitch to Impact
Leadership in Fundraising Program
A proven program designed to equip not-for-profit CEOs, Chairs, and Board Directors with the tools, confidence, and strategies to secure critical funding and build sustainable partnerships.
Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money—it’s about demonstrating value, building trust, and inspiring action. In today’s competitive philanthropic landscape, funders expect more than passion; they want evidence of impact, alignment with their goals, and confidence that their support will deliver measurable results.
Does this sound familiar?
- You’ve made multiple approaches to funders with little response.
- You feel uncertain about what funders really want and how to attract core funding.
- You’re juggling competing priorities, unsure how to balance strategic fundraising with operational demands.
Our Pitch to Impact program will change the way you approach fundraising, and help you secure the funds you need to achieve your mission.
By the end of this program, you’ll have:
- A Compelling Funder-Ready Pitch: Learn how to communicate your organisation’s mission with clarity, evidence, and emotional resonance.
- Confidence to Make the Ask: Walk into every funding conversation prepared and self-assured.
- An Actionable Fundraising Roadmap: Develop a clear, step-by-step plan to secure funding in 2025 and beyond.
What's included?
- Three Immersive Masterclasses: Interactive sessions with expert guidance and real-world applications.
- One Live Coaching Session: Personalised feedback to refine your pitch and delivery.
- Exclusive Resources and Templates: Tailored guides, pitch frameworks, and storytelling tools.
- Actionable Roadmaps: Create a fundraising roadmap designed for measurable results.
Fees
This course costs $995.00 to attend. Places are strictly limited. To apply to attend, please register your interest below and a member of the team will be in contact.
Program outline
Understand funder priorities and communication methodologies
Learn exactly what funders expect, align your messaging with their goals, and craft a compelling core message.
Tuesday, 6 May
Noon-2PM AEST
Online, via zoom
Creating emotional connections with strategic story-telling
Master storytelling techniques that combine data with emotion to close the deal and attract immediate funding commitments.
Tuesday, 13 May
Noon-2PM AEST
Online, via zoom
Structuring and delivering your pitch for optimal success
Put the pitch together, align your leadership team, and develop a plan to scale your fundraising efforts to ensure long-term financial sustainability for your organisation.
Tuesday, 20 May
Noon-2PM AEST
Online, via zoom
How to hone your pitch and crucial next steps for implementation
Receive live feedback and fine-tune your pitch in a collaborative coaching session with experienced strategists.
One-on-one with fundraising expert Catherine Brooks
One hour
May 21-30
Week-by-Week Breakdown
Workshop 1: Understanding Your Audience and Crafting Your Core Message
- Explore audience segmentation: trusts & foundations, major donors, and other key segments.
- What funders need to hear: aligning your pitch with their priorities.
- Case studies of the best pitches: lessons from For Profit and For Purpose sectors.
- Collating organisational data and case studies to showcase impact.
Worksheets for Session 1: Refining Your Organisation Summary
- Participants prepare their concise organisational summaries using our worksheets to communicate:
- Who are you?
- What is the need for your organisation?
Workshop 2: Creating Emotional Connections Through Stories
- The role of storytelling in fundraising success.
- How to craft an emotional narrative that encapsulates your mission and impact.
- Examples of compelling funder-focused stories and what makes them effective.
Worksheets for Session 2: Crafting and Refining Your Emotional Story
- Participants prepare their drafted emotional stories using our prepared worksheets to communicate:
- Who does your organisation serve?
- What is one story that illustrates the need and the impact additional funding can achieve?
Workshop 3: How to Build a Funder-Ready Pitch and Roadmap for success
- Combining your organisation summary and emotional story into a seamless pitch.
- Structuring your pitch: hook, problem, solution, impact, and call to action.
- Real-world delivery tips: tone, body language, confidence, and handling tough questions.
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- Engaging your board and executive team in the pitch process.
- Action planning for pitching to multiple funders: how to prioritise and personalise.
- Using feedback to continuously improve your pitch and approach.
Worksheets for Session 3: Preparing For Your Pitch Practice and Feedback Session
- Participants develop their full pitch.
- Guidance to obtain peer feedback to refine structure, delivery, and messaging.
4: Implementing Your Pitch and Engaging Stakeholders
- One Live Coaching Session: Personalised feedback to refine your pitch and delivery.
Worksheets for Session 4:
Participants create a one-page action plan to determine:
- Immediate next steps.
- Key funders to target first.
- Internal alignment goals (e.g., board buy-in).
About the Presenter: Catherine Brooks
CEO, Equitable Philanthropy
Catherine Brooks is a recognised leader in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. With over two decades of experience, she has built a reputation for empowering leaders, transforming organisations, and driving measurable impact.
As the CEO and Founder of Equitable Philanthropy, Catherine combines her strategic expertise with a deep passion for creating change. Her work spans a wide range of sectors, including education, health, disability, arts, social services and community development, giving her unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities facing non-profits, funders and financial institutions.
Catherine’s expertise:
- Fundraising Mastery: Catherine has personally guided organisations in developing pitches that secured multi-million-dollar partnerships, including enduring long-term collaborations with major philanthropic foundations.
- Leadership Development: A sought-after mentor and coach, Catherine equips CEOs, Chairs, and Boards with the skills and confidence to lead with clarity and purpose.
- Philanthropic Insight: As a donor and advocate, Catherine brings a unique dual perspective, understanding the priorities and expectations of both funders and recipients.
Catherine’s contributions to the sector extend beyond her work with clients. As a Council Member for the Institute of Community Directors Australia, she plays a pivotal role in shaping governance and leadership standards across the non-profit landscape.
Catherine’s holistic approach ensures that every client benefits from a tailored, results-driven strategy. Her ability to be the bridge between funders and non-profits creates opportunities for collaboration and long-term success.
What people say...
“From understanding what funders want to crafting a story that connects, this coaching transformed our approach to fundraising—and our results speak for themselves.”
“Catherine is not just a strategist—she’s a matchmaker, bringing together the right people, resources, and opportunities to ensure charities are well-prepared and well-funded. What’s truly remarkable is her unwavering focus on the ultimate goal: creating positive, meaningful impact.”
“The clarity and confidence I gained were invaluable. Within weeks of coaching from Catherine, we secured one of our biggest grants yet!”