About Us

NFP Connect exists to Support those working for and with local not for profits, through education, networking and shared experiences. Connect businesses with charities/not for profits for meaningful, strategic alliances. Grow the local community. 

• Break down regional isolation and bring like-minded people together in a safe space for peer support, education and networking
• Stop the high burnout and staff turnover that occurs in the NFP/charity space through peer support, accountability and resource sharing
• Help connect the local business community with local charities for mutually beneficial partnerships to grow the community and
• Grow individuals from the grassroots level of the NFP/charity sector to be nationally recognised leaders in the industry.

Having worked in the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector for more than 10 years, Grace McLean understands the struggles individuals working in the industry face when it comes to getting support and having enough resources to do the job well. In 2011, out of her own personal desire to network and improve her professional skills, Grace established NFP Connect Hunter, a monthly coffee group to connect those working in the not-for-profit/charity sector.

After a couple of catch-ups, she realised that she wasn’t alone in the need for support and resources. From its humble beginnings involving six peers, she introduced guest speakers about 12 months later and the networking events organically grew to an average of 50 individuals working in the sector attending a monthly breakfast.

Knowing there was a lot more NFP Connect could do to support the community, Grace took a leap of faith to find out if NFP Connect had a bigger role to play than just the monthly events.

In 2014, Grace resigned from her role as a fundraising manager and went to the market, researching issues faced by those working in the NFP sector, what would support them to move forward and the part NFP Connect could play in all of it. Here’s what she found;

1. Isolation and lack of support: People working in regional NFPs and charitable organisations were very segregated and unsupported from their national counterparts. There was so much potential for them and their organisations if they were supported somehow, even if they could find a way to support themselves. Managing themselves and their workload, often caused stress and burnout.
2. Funding Changes: With the introduction of NDIS and funding opportunities drying up, community organisations were having to look at other avenues of support to ensure they continued to be sustainable. Our community and businesses were supporting organisations with good marketing budgets (front of mind) but it often meant money wasn’t staying local, there seems to be a lack of awareness of who our local organisations were and the impact they were making in our local community.
3. Business Connections: Grace also approached businesses to identify any issues with supporting local organisations. Their response was a lack of knowledge on who the local organisations were and where the money went. Most businesses were giving but they were often unstructured in their approach and unsure of the impact their donations were having on their staff or the community at large. They were often giving in an ad-hoc and unstructured manner and they had no understanding of the impact it was having.

Through researching charities, community and businesses it was clear there was a definite disconnect. Grace saw that there was a clear opportunity for NFP Connect to be a support system for charities and NFPs and to create a bridge where businesses and the community could connect to local charities for more meaningful partnerships.

NFP Connect exists to be that bridge through the following services and products;

1. A DIRECTORY: the community can keyword search local organisations to support based on what they’re passionate about.
2. Networking EVENTS: Each month, expert speakers address those in the NFP community, they are either peers with case studies or individuals from the business community to teach organisations how to be more sustainable. These events also provide a platform to connect individuals so they feel supported and they can share, network and collaborate.
3. COMMUNITY IMPACT PROGRAM: A consultancy for businesses to help build their giving program based on staff input, values and strategic plan. NFP Connect works with each organisation to create mutual partnerships to ensure long-term impact.
4. WORKSHOPS & PLANNER: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there”. We believe leadership starts with the individual understanding how to self-manage. If you’re stuck on the mouse wheel and overwhelmed, no amount of strategy or vision is going to help you. If you can reflect on your why you do what you do and how to change, you have a much great chance of leading yourself and your organisation to be more sustainable.

Create meaningful connections
Grow community
Act with integrity
Be responsible
Exemplify authenticity
Lead by example
Ignite passion in others

Having worked in fundraising roles over the past ten years Grace McLean knows first-hand the feelings of frustration and isolation when working in regional not-for-profit organisations. As a result, she left full-time employment in the industry to establish NFP Connect which helps Support, Connect and Grow not-for-profits in regional areas.

In her fundraising roles Grace has a proven track record in growing and supporting not-for-profit organisations. She has established two financially successful regional offices from the ground up, for which she received regional recognition as the 2014 Lake Macquarie Young Business Person of the Year and for her work with NFP Connect was named 2015 Lake Macquarie Citizen of the Year.

Connect here: https://au.linkedin.com/in/graceemclean