How Hard Can it Be? Fri, 15 May 2026 09:07:37 +1000 https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/how-hard-can-it-be en © 2026 How Hard Can it Be? yes e1954f67-47b6-56be-891c-0c8e89da4c74 marisa@philanthropy2.com Philanthropy Squared Academy serial false Welcome to How Hard Can it Be? 


After working in and with the nonprofit sector for a combined forty years or more, we have seen time and again just how fundraising is minimised to a task, for someone, over yonder, to scroll a rich list and make an ask. After all, how hard can fundraising actually be?

 

We believe that the single biggest catayst to increasing philanthropic giving is good fundraising. With this in mind, we’ve begun a collection of conversations with extraordinary individuals that wholly and radically embrace the art and the science of fundraising to power philanthropic giving. Each shares their unique perspective on what it takes to build a thriving culture of philanthropy. 

 

Please do send us your feedback: hello@philanthropy2.com We’d love to hear from you! 


Frankie & Marisa

Philanthropy Squared Academy

 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Philanthropy Squared Academy marisa@philanthropy2.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/e8wbpje7nids2bjgryp995qqgu87?.jpg How Hard Can it Be? https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/how-hard-can-it-be Anna Marsden, Managing Director, Great Barrier Reef Foundation Anna Marsden, Managing Director, Great Barrier Reef Foundation In this conversation, we’re joined by Anna Marsden, Managing Director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and one of Australia’s most compelling voices in purpose-driven fundraising. In this conversation, Anna shares what it really takes to inspire generosity at scale: how to bring donors on the journey, build trust, and turn urgency into action. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at fundraising as both an art and a responsibility.

Anna is delightfully warm, insightful, and deeply grounded in purpose. She generously offers lessons that go far beyond environmental giving; this is a conversation about impact, connection, and why the stories we tell truly matter.

]]> In this conversation, we’re joined by Anna Marsden, Managing Director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and one of Australia’s most compelling voices in purpose-driven fundraising. In this conversation, Anna shares what it really takes to inspire generosity at scale: how to bring donors on the journey, build trust, and turn urgency into action. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at fundraising as both an art and a responsibility.

Anna is delightfully warm, insightful, and deeply grounded in purpose. She generously offers lessons that go far beyond environmental giving; this is a conversation about impact, connection, and why the stories we tell truly matter.

]]> Philanthropy Squared Academy Buzzsprout-19175176 Thu, 14 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000 1620 2 1 full false Yvonne Zammit, executive in the arts and NFP philanthropy, sponsorship, government relations & communications Yvonne Zammit, executive in the arts and NFP philanthropy, sponsorship, government relations & communications We are delighted to welcome Yvonne Zammit to this episode. Yvonne is an arts and non profit strategist and practitioner with over 18 years' experience in raising funds for some of Australia's leading arts companies including Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia. Most recently, Yvonne was Executive Director of the Powerhouse Museum Capital Campaign where she was instrumental in securing a $20 million gift which is one of Australia’s largest donations to a cultural organisation. 


We hope you enjoy this conversation 


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]]> We are delighted to welcome Yvonne Zammit to this episode. Yvonne is an arts and non profit strategist and practitioner with over 18 years' experience in raising funds for some of Australia's leading arts companies including Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia. Most recently, Yvonne was Executive Director of the Powerhouse Museum Capital Campaign where she was instrumental in securing a $20 million gift which is one of Australia’s largest donations to a cultural organisation. 


We hope you enjoy this conversation 


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]]> Philanthropy Squared Academy 6853a72b412e0f0fbf1fd0aa Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:39:38 +1100 1415 1 5 false Louise Walsh, Founder & CEO, Walsh Capital Louise Walsh, Founder & CEO, Walsh Capital We are delighted to welcome Louise Walsh to this episode of How Hard Can It Be.  Louise is founder and CEO of Walsh Capital, a bespoke, third-party capital raising business based in Sydney. Before launching Walsh Capital in 2021, Louise was the CEO of the Future Generation companies where she grew Australian stock exchange listed funds by $1 billion dollars in assets in just six years. Additionally, Louise’s illustrious resume includes roles at the law firm Allens, the Sydney Olympics, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Artsupport Australia and Philanthropy Australia.


Louise is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading philanthropic advisers and fundraising experts. 

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]]> We are delighted to welcome Louise Walsh to this episode of How Hard Can It Be.  Louise is founder and CEO of Walsh Capital, a bespoke, third-party capital raising business based in Sydney. Before launching Walsh Capital in 2021, Louise was the CEO of the Future Generation companies where she grew Australian stock exchange listed funds by $1 billion dollars in assets in just six years. Additionally, Louise’s illustrious resume includes roles at the law firm Allens, the Sydney Olympics, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Artsupport Australia and Philanthropy Australia.


Louise is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading philanthropic advisers and fundraising experts. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Philanthropy Squared Academy 6853a689002f9da49a3d3ff0 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:26:08 +1000 1419 1 4 false Louise Baxter, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Starlight Children's Foundation Louise Baxter, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Starlight Children's Foundation In this episode we’re thrilled to speak with Louise Baxter, CEO and Executive Director of the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Louise began her career in marketing in the corporate sector, transferring to the non profit world in 2001.  She’s had over 17 year’s experience with Starlight and has been leading the organisation since 2009. Louise steered Starlight through the immediate aftermath of the global financial crisis as well as through the Covid-19 pandemic and yet despite these signficant challenges, under her leadership Starlight’s revenue has grown exponentially. Louise is a stunning and ever so compelling example of a CEO taking on the role of Chief Philanthropy Officer.


We hope you enjoy this conversation.

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]]> In this episode we’re thrilled to speak with Louise Baxter, CEO and Executive Director of the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Louise began her career in marketing in the corporate sector, transferring to the non profit world in 2001.  She’s had over 17 year’s experience with Starlight and has been leading the organisation since 2009. Louise steered Starlight through the immediate aftermath of the global financial crisis as well as through the Covid-19 pandemic and yet despite these signficant challenges, under her leadership Starlight’s revenue has grown exponentially. Louise is a stunning and ever so compelling example of a CEO taking on the role of Chief Philanthropy Officer.


We hope you enjoy this conversation.

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]]> Philanthropy Squared Academy 6853a7600bed216db7981291 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:04:08 +1000 1397 1 3 false Kenneth Watkins AM, Director of Philanthropy, The Australian Ballet Kenneth Watkins AM, Director of Philanthropy, The Australian Ballet

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]]>

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]]> Philanthropy Squared Academy 6853a6afcf39b4f29a3fb7c5 Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:25:49 +1000 1210 1 2 false John Richardson, Director of audiences and development, Art Gallery of NSW John Richardson, Director of audiences and development, Art Gallery of NSW

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]]>

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]]> Philanthropy Squared Academy 6853a533cf39b4f29a3f6332 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:55:56 +1000 1219 1 1 false