Organisations | Catholic Connect | 26 November 2025
Catholic Connect
26 November 2025
Fundraising, Philanthropy and Advocacy
Inspiring Generosity: Encouraging Greater Giving for Purpose and Impact
Panel presenters
Chris McKenzie
Head of Philanthropy,
St Vincent de Paul Society, Victoria
Chris McKenzie is an accomplished philanthropy and partnerships leader with extensive experience across Australia’s not-for-profit sector. Over his career, he has led national corporate partnership campaigns and secured significant multi-million-dollar funding commitments through collaboration with major corporates, foundations, and philanthropic donors.
Currently serving as
Head of Philanthropy at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, Chris brings deep expertise in building strategic relationships that connect purpose with impact. His work reflects a strong commitment to sustainable fundraising, community partnership, and strengthening the capacity of mission-driven organisations to serve those most in need.
Catherine Brooks
Chief Executive Officer,
Equitable Philanthropy
Catherine Brooks is a lawyer and fundraising strategist who supports charities and philanthropists through her business Equitable Philanthropy.
She is passionate about leveraging emerging technology like AI to supercharge fundraising outcomes, and recently authored a white paper on the topic for The Education Network, as well as delivering training through F&P, Institute of Community Directors Australia and in-house for a wide range of charities.
Catherine has completed a Certificate in AI in Fundraising and Marketing via Nonprofit Tech for Good, as well as a certification in Developing AI Strategy at RMIT.
John McLeod
Senior Research Consultant, Family Advisory & Philanthropic Services, JBWere Australia
John co-founded the JBWere Philanthropic Services team in 2001. Prior to this John spent 16 years as a financial analyst and manager of the Resource Research group within the firm's top-ranking strategy team.
John produces the leading research reports into the trends in the for-purpose and philanthropy sectors. He has also co-authored the Impact – Australia report with the Federal Government, highlighting the current practice and growth potential for Impact Investing, and Growing Impact in New Zealand, released at the Social Enterprise World Forum held in Christchurch in 2017.
Alongside other significant research insights over the years, John also compiles the list of Australia’s major philanthropists for the Australian Financial Review’s (AFR) annual special, Philanthropy 50; and the list of Australia’s top 50 companies for corporate community investment published in the AFRs Boss magazine.

John serves on a volunteer basis as a Non-Executive Director for Liverty Housing; and as a Director for Philanthropy Australia.
Workshop overview
Inspiring Generosity: Encouraging Greater Giving for Purpose & Impact
The final CDF Catholic Connect workshop for 2025 will bring together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across Catholic organisations and the for-purpose sector to explore fundraising, philanthropy, and advocacy.
In a rapidly changing landscape, how can organisations better engage with donors and improve fundraising efforts? With societal changes and a desire for greater connection and transparency, organisations are being challenged to inspire gnerosity in new and meaningful ways. This session will explore what’s shaping the future of giving — from data and industry trends to effective campaign planning — and how Catholic organisations can harness these insights to deepen trust, expand reach, and deliver their mission.
Participants will be invited to share their own experiences and campaigns — celebrating creativity, collaboration, and the collective good that flows when generosity and purpose move hand in hand. Together, we’ll share stories and opportunities that inspire hope, deepen relationships, and transform communities for the greater good.
Key Focus Areas:
- Giving trends today: What the latest data and philanthropy reports reveal about changes in demographics and donor behaviour
- The power of strategy: Unpacking the knowledge, systems and tools that help drive greater campaign engagement
- Artificial intelligence in fundraising: Navigating the technology transformation changing the way we give
- Collaboration & shared wisdom: Sharing experiences and campaigns — successes, challenges, and creative approaches that are helping strengthen relationships, inspire generosity, and create lasting impact within their communities.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is designed for professionals and leaders across the Catholic, for-purpose, mission-focused, and not-for-profit sectors who are passionate about growing a culture of generosity and impact.
It will be of particular interest to:
- Fundraising, philanthropy, and development professionals
- Marketing, communications, and community engagement specialists
- Executives and board members of charities, schools, and social-service organisations
- Leaders from Catholic, faith-based, and community-driven organisations seeking new approaches to purpose-led fundraising
This is a complimentary event. Please register to help us with planning and catering arrangements.
Agenda:
- Light networking lunch
- Welcome
- Speaker presentations
- Q&A
- Open Session: Peer Campaigns and Initiatives
- Summary & closing remarks
Want to join the conversation?
Date: Wednesday 26th November 2025
Time: 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Venue: Australian Catholic University (22-24 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065)
Host: Catholic Development Fund (CDF)
CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury and Ballarat. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed at here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
