Capital Campaigns - From Planning to Impact

• This session brings together three experienced fundraising leaders to share practical insight into the planning and delivery of capital campaigns.

• The panel will explore how campaign strategy is evolving, including the increasing influence of global markets and the growth of large-scale campaigns across the not-for-profit and Education sectors. 

• Attendees will hear how organisations move from early feasibility through to launch, including common risks, decision points and indicators of readiness.

• A detailed case study of the Powerhouse Parramatta $75m campaign will provide a grounded view of execution, including stakeholder engagement, campaign positioning and delivery challenges.

• The discussion will also cover the growing role of AI, particularly in prospect research, and where it is adding value versus creating risk.

• The session will conclude with an extended open discussion, allowing attendees to raise specific challenges and compare approaches with peers and experts in the room. 

The Panel:

Hosted by Beaumont People

• Nick Jaffer, CEO & Director, Global Philanthropic

• Tessa Irwin, Group Account Director - Philanthropy & Partnerships, Donor Republic

• Mark Quigley, Director, Social Venture Consultants

Panel session titles:

• Nick Jaffer: "State of the nation(s)", globalization of capital campaigns and large scale campaign development ($500m-$1bn). 

• Mark Quigley: One Year Before Your Capital Campaign: A 12 month pre-campaign guide to campaign success.

• Tessa Irwin: Powerhouse Paramatta $75m campaign Case Study and lessons learned. 

• Tessa Irwin: Engaging Philanthropists in your campaign. 

• Post panel discussion.

What to expect:

Current market insight

• Globalisation of campaigns and implications for Australian institutions

• Emerging expectations from major donors

Practical campaign planning guidance

• Feasibility studies, internal alignment and readiness indicators

• Common gaps that delay or derail campaigns

Real case study learning

• Powerhouse Parramatta campaign structure and approach

• Lessons learned during delivery

Technology and AI

• Use of AI in prospect identification and research

• Limitations, risks and ethical considerations

Interactive discussion

• Opportunity to test thinking with experienced practitioners

• Peer perspectives on similar challenges

Hosted by;

Katie Badman, Senior Recruitment Consultant - Education. Specialist in Senior Advancement and Development roles

Jakki Travers, Recruitment Manager - Charities. Specialist in Head of Fundraising/ Philanthropy roles

Joseph Murray, Senior Recruitment Consultant – Charities. Specialist in Philanthropy Manager roles

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm with optional post-event networking
Location: Beaumont People, Level 29, 259 George Street, Sydney

Please note, this event is for Capital Campaigns fundraisers and those thinking about embarking on a Campaign across Tertiary Education, Independent Schools, Not-For-Profit organisations and Government/Arts sectors.

Bios

Mark Quigley CFRE FFIA

Mark Quigley CFRE FFIA is a multi award-winning consultant including “Best Capital Campaign” from the Fundraising Institute Australasia.  

He started his fundraising career last century and his own consultancy in 2002.  Mark is past member of the NSW FIA Board and previous Chair of the FIA International Fundraising Conference.

In 2014, Mark was honoured as a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute Australia and more recently achieved CFRE accreditation. Mark began his fundraising career decades earlier in 1997 and has since helped grow many major gift programs and lead successful capital campaigns for clients in education, disabilities, social services, as well as health and medical research.

Mark’s reputation within the not-for-profit sector and Australia’s philanthropic community is considerable. Mark is a sought-after writer and presenter on fundraising and philanthropy and has delivered Fundraising Masterclasses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.  

Mark also created My Major GiftGetter; an app, with users all over the world in which fundraisers can plan smart, work clever and get more major gifts.

In February 2026 Hilborn Press published Mark’s first book “The Year Before Your Capital Campaign: A 12 month pre-campaign guide to success”.    

Nick Jaffer FFIA, F.EdPlus

Nick Jaffer is President & CEO, Asia Pacific, at Global Philanthropic and a recognised, award-winning authority on major gifts, capital campaigns and integrated fundraising.

With experience across five continents, he advises universities, health and medical research institutes, schools, cultural organisations and philanthropists on ambitious strategies that secure transformational gifts and build long-term institutional capacity.

He has held senior in-house and advisory roles, including leadership positions at the University of Alberta, Curtin University and University of Sydney, where he drove significant growth in donor engagement and fundraising outcomes, helping to lay the foundation for its landmark Inspired campaign.

A Fellow of both the Fundraising Institute Australia and Educate Plus, Nick is a frequent presenter across Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, and a contributing author to the bestselling Excellence in Fundraising in Canada.

For this panel, Nick brings a global perspective on campaign fundraising together with a sharp, current view of the Australian fundraising landscape — offering practical insight into what is changing, what is working and what ambitious institutions need to prepare for next.

Tessa Irwin CFRE EMFIA

Tessa Irwin is the Group Account Director - Philanthropy & Partnerships at Donor Republic. She has established and leads a team of expert relationship-led fundraising professionals to support organisations to bring their major gift, corporate partnership and campaign aspirations to life. 

Tessa has more than a decade of experience assisting organisations and working in-organisation to execute major gift and capital campaign strategic planning and execution. As Senior Manager for the $75 million Powerhouse Parramatta Campaign, Tessa contributed to building $70 million worth of donor and corporate partnerships to fund Powerhouse initiatives. 

She is a founder and committee member of the 2,000 strong Australian Philanthropy Network, has served as Fundraising Institute Australia NSW Committee Chair, and was named 2020 FIA NSW Young Fundraiser of the Year.