P: (03) 9537 3177| E: [email protected] | W: www.firststep.org.au
ABN: 51 093 661 995 | Endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the ATO

Fundraising and Engagement Coordinator
Job advertisement

Position summary

The Fundraising and Engagement Coordinator plays a central role in sustaining and growing First
Step's philanthropic income, donor engagement and organisational profile. Reporting to the
CEO, this position is responsible for the day-to-day management of grants, donor
communications, fundraising systems and engagement activities that underpin First Step's
fundraising success. This will be a 0.6 EFT part-time position, 3 days per week.

The role combines strong project management with excellent writing and communication skills,
ensuring funding opportunities are identified, high-quality grant applications are developed,
donor relationships are maintained, and First Step's impact is communicated consistently and
compellingly.

Working closely with the CEO and Leadership Team, the Fundraising and Engagement
Coordinator will support the organisation's philanthropic priorities while helping to build
efficient systems, embrace emerging technologies such as AI, and strengthen the long-term
sustainability of First Step's fundraising and engagement activities.

About First Step

First Step is a centre for integrated care – medical, mental health and substance use – with an
embedded community legal service. Operating in inner Melbourne, we deliver more than 14,000
bulk-billed or otherwise funded appointments each year to over 1,600 people. Our
multidisciplinary team includes doctors, psychologists, nurses, peers, psychiatrists, care
coordinators, lawyers and social workers, working side-by-side to support people with co-
occurring needs such as substance use, trauma and mental distress.

We help people navigate complex systems by taking on the responsibility for care coordination,
building trust, promoting self-agency, and supporting stability and connection. Recognised by
the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, First Step is a leader in
comprehensive integrated care. Services are provided free of charge, from one team, in one
place.

Our fundraising program supports client care, strategic initiatives and financial sustainability.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Minimum qualifications

- Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, fundraising, marketing, public

relations, business, community development, nonprofit management or a related
discipline; or

- Demonstrated equivalent experience in fundraising, philanthropy, grant management or

stakeholder engagement.

First Step | 18 Mitford Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
P: (03) 9537 3177| E: [email protected] | W: www.firststep.org.au
ABN: 51 093 661 995 | Endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the ATO

Skills and experience

Fundraising and Grants

- Preparing high-quality grant applications and funding submissions.
- Managing grant calendars, reporting requirements and acquittals.
- Building and maintaining productive relationships with trusts, foundations and

philanthropic partners.

- Identifying funding opportunities aligned with organisational priorities.





Donor Engagement

- Managing donor communications and stewardship activities.
- Supporting donor onboarding and retention.
- Assisting with initiatives that grow First Step's donor community.

Communications and Engagement

- Excellent written communication with the ability to translate complex programs into

compelling fundraising narratives.
- Experience developing content across digital channels including websites, newsletters

and social media.
- Ability to create engaging communications using platforms such as Canva or similar

design tools.
- Confidence delivering straightforward fundraising and awareness campaigns.

Systems and Administration
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.

- Experience using CRM systems, donor databases or marketing automation platforms

(experience with NationBuilder is highly desirable).

- Ability to establish efficient workflows, templates and documentation.
- Strong project management and time management skills.

Technology

- Demonstrated willingness to adopt emerging technologies, including AI, to improve

efficiency, research, content development and fundraising practice.
- Confidence learning and implementing new digital tools.

Collaboration
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior leaders, clinicians and program staff to

identify funding priorities and communicate organisational impact.

- Capacity to manage multiple competing priorities while meeting deadlines.

Desirable

- Experience working within the not-for-profit, health, mental health, alcohol and other

drugs, community legal or community services sectors.

First Step | 18 Mitford Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
P: (03) 9537 3177| E: [email protected] | W: www.firststep.org.au
ABN: 51 093 661 995 | Endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the ATO

- Experience with NationBuilder or comparable donor management systems.
- Experience coordinating partnership-based fundraising initiatives.
- Familiarity with impact reporting, evaluation or outcomes measurement.
- Knowledge of Australian philanthropic funding sources.

Personal attributes
The successful applicant will demonstrate:

- Commitment to First Step's mission and values.
- Exceptional integrity and professionalism.
- Initiative and curiosity, with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships.
- Excellent judgement and discretion when working with confidential information.
- Creativity balanced by sound organisational discipline.
- A collaborative approach that values teamwork across clinical and corporate functions.
- Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
- A genuine interest in communicating stories of impact while maintaining the dignity and

privacy of the people we serve.

What we offer

This role is offered on a permanent part-time basis,



at 3 days per week (flexible).

As a not-for-profit organisation, First Step offers access to generous salary packaging benefits,
allowing eligible employees to package up to $15,900 of their salary tax-free each year, plus up
to $2,650 for meals and entertainment, increasing your take-home pay.

Additional benefits include:

- Working within a highly respected multidisciplinary team
- Regular supervision and support from the Clinical Lead
- Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Meaningful work supporting people with complex health needs.

Application process

Applications should include a cover letter that addresses the following three Key Selection
Criteria, an up-to-date resume, and two professional references.

1. Fundraising, Grant Management and Relationship Development
Demonstrated experience in securing philanthropic funding through high-quality grant
applications, managing grant reporting and acquittals, identifying funding opportunities, and
building productive relationships with trusts, foundations, donors or other funding partners.

First Step | 18 Mitford Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
P: (03) 9537 3177| E: [email protected] | W: www.firststep.org.au
ABN: 51 093 661 995 | Endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the ATO

2. Communication, Storytelling and Engagement
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex
programs into compelling fundraising and engagement materials across a range of channels,
including grant applications, donor communications, digital media and organisational
publications.

3. Organisation, Systems and Continuous Improvement
Highly developed organisational and project management skills, including experience managing
multiple priorities, maintaining fundraising systems or CRM platforms (we use NationBuilder),
and using technology—including AI and digital tools—to improve efficiency, effectiveness and
organisational capability.

Applications that do not address the Key Selection Criteria will not be considered.

Email your application to CEO Patrick Lawrence at [email protected] . Recruitment will
close on July 17th.

Your application must include:

- Cover Letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria
- Up-to-date resume
- Names and contact details of two skilled references

For a full Position Description, please head to First Step’s website, www.firststep.org.au/careers

Our commitment

First Step is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing work
setting for people of all backgrounds, genders, religions, sexualities, ethnicities, or any
other factor. Candidates identifying as LGBTQI+ as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
candidates are strongly invited to apply. People with a lived experience of mental illness or
substance use are invited to address their experience from a strength-based perspective in their
applications if they feel comfortable to do so. Note that there are designated peers at First Step
and that many staff members have lived experience of drug or alcohol use and mental distress.

📌 Fundraising and Engagement Officer (St Kilda)
🏢 First Step
📍 St Kilda