Jade McKenzie from The Warwick Foundation tells us how their search for a Professional Grant Writer led to them getting noticed in a big way….

The Warwick Foundation were in need of a Grant Writer to research applicable grants, complete applications and help them create related reports as needed.

Anthony Sibillin took up the challenge “and was an absolute gem from the start” says Jade. After encountering some unforeseen issues with the Foundations type of Deductable Gift Recipient endorsement, they were unable to proceed with the planned grant applications. All plans had to be put on hold until they had a review with the Australian Tax Office.

Anthony was keen to help though and offered to help with the preparation of media releases for their upcoming events. As a working journalist with extensive experience within the industry, he knew exactly how to make the right kind of impact on their target media.

Five months, two major events and one massive announcement later, The Warwick Foundation have had exposure through countless web pages, fifteen newspapers, six radio stations, five news programs and two high rating tv shows.

Jade explains “Anthony enabled us to have a polished and professional introduction to an industry we did not have a prior relationship with. It’s pretty safe to say that Anthony’s press releases helped get us noticed To be able to get this type of awareness is invaluable to our cause.”

As a small, grassroots charity, The Warwick Foundation find it a challenge to raise awareness through the media with a tiny budget and limited contacts. Jade makes the point that “there are hundreds of worthy causes out there all wanting the same exposure and it is no mean feat to make an impact like we did without a whole PR team behind you. Continually coming up with new ways to be innovative, fresh and interesting is a full time job!”

To date, Anthony has spent about 8 hours reviewing and preparing releases so far and will continue to work with the Foundation. The issue with the grant applications will be finalized soon and Anthony will then start the volunteer role he initially applied for, which will require a commitment of around eight hours per month.

Jade recommends that more non profits make use of goodcompany “from the very first workshop I attended to the email communication I have had with the staff, I have been impressed by their professionalism and willingness to help. The quality of the applicants are always very good and the site is so easy to use that I encourage all non profits to use goodcompany regularly for their volunteer needs.”

Jade provides the following advice to community groups seeking volunteers;

Have very clear short- and long-term goals in mind when seeking the help of a skilled volunteer. This may sound obvious but sometimes you are so focused on what you need right now, that you forget about the bigger picture.

Once you can identify the precise outcomes you want to have from this position in the long run, your volunteers will then be able to work with you on a strategic level to achieve these aims.

Skilled volunteers are very different to general volunteers and you need to treat them accordingly. They have the skills so utilize them!

October 2010 sees The Warwick Foundation’s third annual ‘In My Shoes’ Gala come to the Docklands, Melbourne, for a night full of fun, glamour and excitement. The Gala is quickly becoming renowned for being one of the most elegant and memorable events in town - please see here for more information and to buy tickets.