Tarah Ferguson
Brisbane,QLD
Summary
Experienced professional with a background in fundraising, volunteer management, HR, events, and customer service across the arts and nonprofit sectors. Dedicated to working for a purpose and connecting people to what matters, aligning with my values of justice, authenticity, and courage. Nothing brings me joy more than facilitating authentic connections to cause and supporting people in showing up as their best selves.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Events and Community Fundraising Manager
MND Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
09.2023 - Current
- Effectively developed and implemented a new participant journey for fundraising events and campaigns, which has resulted in a 60% monthly average uplift in P2P fundraising revenue compared to the previous calendar year
- Developed a wide range of creative content for social media, web and print - this includes infographics, articles, illustrations, videos, and animations, all created using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Animate, After Effects, and Premier Pro
- Crafted concise and compelling email marketing and social media promotional campaigns tailored to various stakeholders, ensuring clarity of message and clear call to action - average open rate of 41% and average click rate of 9%, which is well above industry standards
- Improved and built strong relationships with members, supporters, stakeholders, vendors, donors, sponsors and community groups
- Successfully stewarded community fundraisers and P2P fundraisers to increase revenue - revenue generated from P2P fundraisers for external challenge events doubled.
- Managed and improved the CRM/database reporting processes for all event and community fundraising activities to better predict/model future fundraising revenue
- Managed and delivered all aspects of MND Queensland's annual fundraising events calendar, including the Walk to Defeat MND (6 separate events), Mates Move 4 MND, Snag Ya Boss and High Tea for MND
- Managed the events and fundraising volunteers to ensure team objectives were met
- Evaluated existing fundraising programs, identifying opportunities for improvement and growth within each initiative
- Increased donor engagement by implementing targeted fundraising campaigns and events
- Fostered a culture of philanthropy throughout the organisation by engaging board members and services staff in active participation as fundraisers for our Mates Move 4 MND campaign
People and Culture Advisor
Foodbank Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
07.2023 - 09.2023
- Talent management: Managed end-to-end recruitment processes, including induction schedule, policy acknowledgement, onboarding and probation periods, and employee records
- Employee Relations and Performance Management: Resolve conflict in the first instance, escalating where appropriate
- Assist managers with performance management processes
- Provided accurate and timely advice about Award and agreement interpretation and implementation, seeking guidance where required
- Referred complex employee relations matters to the Chief People Officer and assist with implementing their advice/relevant actions required
- Consult with all Senior Leaders and Managers regarding any changes to positions and related position descriptions
- Updated Position Descriptions with KARs and KPIs throughout the year as required
- Assisted with 360-degree process
- People and Culture reporting: Efficiently utilised HRIS to produce accurate summaries and updates for monthly CEO reports
- Diversity and Inclusion: Designed and organised activities as per the Diversity and Inclusion charter
- Learning and Development: Administered and developed annual learning and development activities through GO1 and other methods identified by the PDR process
- Document Control/Policy Management: Developed and implemented digital document control processes.
Volunteer/People & Culture Coordinator
Foodbank Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
10.2022 - 07.2023
- Developed and maintained FBQ's volunteer program per the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
- Coordinated, selected and placed volunteers across operations, member services, and marketing and fundraising departments
- Managed the database, processes, procedures, and policies relating to volunteer involvement
- Administered the recruitment and induction processes for new employees
- Managed ongoing processes regarding employee lifecycle, including probation, payroll and leave
- Supported all other People and Culture activities and projects.
Volunteer Coordinator
Youngcare
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
05.2022 - 10.2022
- Built and maintained stakeholder relationships with other volunteering groups and local businesses
- Managed the end-to-end recruitment of volunteers and communications
- Liaised with different departments and teams to ensure volunteer requirements were met, and briefs comprehensively covered logistics, tasks and timeframes
- Developed all content and copy for monthly EDMs, Facebook posts, transactional communications and the Rosterfy volunteer portal
- Developed and coordinated a national volunteer plan (including corporate and community volunteers), establishing recruitment, motivation, management, and recognition practices/procedures
- Reviewed and finalised the volunteers' policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Evaluated the volunteer program to ensure best practice is maintained and volunteers can genuinely contribute
- This included conducting focus group interviews and a targeted online survey.
Philanthropy Administrator
Brisbane Festival
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
02.2022 - 04.2022
- Maintained accurate donor records and ensure databases are up to date
- Liaised with the Administration team to develop and improve data management and functionality practices as the organisation transitions to a new CRM and DMS
- Be responsible for the administration of the Giving Committee meeting minutes
- Demonstrated attention to detail when Invoicing, receipting and acknowledgement of donations
- Researched donation and philanthropy opportunities for Brisbane Festival
- Utilising current brand guidelines and templates, create and distribute electronic communications including invitations and eNews
- Communicated with influence to maintain positive collaborative relationships between the philanthropy team and Brisbane Festival's other departments.
Events Coordinator
Adderton Brisbane
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
05.2019 - 04.2021
- Project managed the development and coordination of talks, performances, workshops, and catered events that interpreted the content of concurrent exhibitions-including the budgeting, contracting, planning, evaluation, and bimonthly reporting
- Flexibly problem solved all concerns that arose during the supervision of 23 off-site events as part of the Adderton Everywhere initiative within tight deadlines
- Collaboratively sourced and obtained $10,000 of council funding for the empty shopfront exhibition program as part of the Adderton Everywhere initiative
- Responsible for all bookings, monthly financial reporting, and uploading of events into online systems
- Analysed survey feedback and industry trends to ensure events were relevant to target audiences
- Critically thought of creative events that promoted audience growth and diversity
- Maintained and developed stakeholder relationships through verbal and written communication with local social enterprises, activists, artists, artisans, councils, and groups to ensure community outreach
- Organised and developed the written procedures, training documents, and guidelines for our customer service team
- Managed rosters and customer service team.
Education
Master of Business - Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
11.2022
Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies - Museology/Museum Studies
The University of Queensland
01.2017
Bachelor of Arts - BA - Anthropology/Ancient History
The University of Queensland
01.2015
Skills
- Storytelling
- Fundraising
- Written Communication
- Budget Management
- Nonprofit marketing
- Event Management
- Campaign Development
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Excellent Communication
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Relationship Building
Certification
- Certificate III in Community Pharmacy
- Small Business Marketing
- Responsible Service of Alcohol
- Marketing Foundations: Value Proposition Development
Timeline
Events and Community Fundraising Manager
MND Queensland
09.2023 - Current
People and Culture Advisor
Foodbank Queensland
07.2023 - 09.2023
Volunteer/People & Culture Coordinator
Foodbank Queensland
10.2022 - 07.2023
Volunteer Coordinator
Youngcare
05.2022 - 10.2022
Philanthropy Administrator
Brisbane Festival
02.2022 - 04.2022
Events Coordinator
Adderton Brisbane
05.2019 - 04.2021
Master of Business - Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies - Museology/Museum Studies
The University of Queensland
Bachelor of Arts - BA - Anthropology/Ancient History
The University of Queensland