EXPERT BAR launch brings sector together to boost capacity

The event included a pop-up, in-person EXPERT BAR experience, with 70 in-person expert consultations undertaken over two hours.

The energy in the room was electric, as we unveiled this new innovation that’s set to transform how the social sector accesses expertise and builds capacity. With representatives from diverse organisations - from small rural NFPs to large urban charities - the event was a powerful reminder of the collective drive to make a difference.

Partners and speakers, L to R: Bernard Meadowcroft, Business Banking Manager, Beyond Bank; Katherine Ellis, CEO, Leadership Victoria; Peter Walton, CEO, LMCF; Maree Sidey, CEO, Philanthropy Australia; Julia Keady, Founder and CEO, Benefolk; Dr Wendy Scaife, Director Benefolk Foundation and Adjunct Associate Professor, Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, QUT; Paul Conroy, CEO, The Ian Potter Foundation; Kylie Daniels, National Community Development Manager, Beyond Bank; Marlaina McPhillips, Community Development Manager of Victoria, Beyond Bank; Shane Farley, Head of Community, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Beyond Bank.

Benefolk Network specialist experts

For Benefolk CEO & Founder Julia Keady, bringing EXPERT BAR to our hard-working sector is a long-held dream.

“Benefolk EXPERT BAR was six years in the making, as we needed to find the right community of specialists and partners to provide the diversity and quality of expertise that’s now on offer."

“Having run charities myself and been responsible for both executive management and fundraising - without big budgets - I know personally how hard it is to find the right person and advice when you need it."

“This new service is particularly ideal for the thousands of small charities and philanthropic foundations, who need to tap into experts one to two hours a month. It can also be an efficient way for Boards to support their staff and volunteers, by purchasing a subscription they can access when they need it, they can feel more confident as leaders."

Benefolk Network specialist experts

Philanthropy Australia CEO, Maree Sidey, was the keynote speaker and highlighted how EXPERT BAR is poised to be a major innovation in capacity building for the social sector.

Maree Sidey, CEO, Philanthropy Australia

“What is particularly special about this work is that it is a one-stop shop for NFP leaders to buy in expertise that has been curated, had extensive due diligence and is fit-for-purpose,” Maree said.

She also emphasised how funders and grantmakers can take this further by offering subscriptions and vouchers to the organisations they support, describing it as a “breakthrough innovation” in philanthropy. Read the Philanthropy Australia article on the launch and a great piece from Institute of Community Directors Australia.

The launch event also saw Dr Wendy Scaife, Director of the Benefolk Foundation, host a discussion about capacity building and wellbeing in the sector.

The panel featured sector leaders, including Katherine Ellis, CEO of Leadership Victoria, Peter Walton, CEO of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Paul Conroy, CEO of The Ian Potter Foundation. Sarah Davies AM, Chair of Benefolk Foundation, shared via video that the EXPERT BAR will be a "game-changer".

Dr Wendy Scaife, Director of the Benefolk Foundation, hosted a panel featuring Katherine Ellis, CEO of Leadership Victoria, Peter Walton, CEO of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Paul Conroy, CEO of The Ian Potter Foundation

Paul Conroy later wrote about how EXPERT BAR addresses the lack of support available to social sector leaders, especially in accessible, prompt and affordable support.

“Often, CEOs just need 45-90 minutes with a subject matter specialist to get time-critical advice and EXPERT BAR makes this possible."

“Many funders want to support their social sector partners in building capacity and capability, but the sheer number of organisations makes this difficult to do at scale. Our grant to Benefolk to assist in the development of EXPERT BAR and The Community Well translates to support for the wider social sector and multiplies the impact."

"I encourage all social sector leaders to familiarise themselves with Benefolk's resources and services.”

Guests and experts during the in-person Expert Bar activation

It’s been great to bring an organisational support and capacity building solution to our sector. To commence 40 of our specialists will be providing low-bono support via EXPERT BAR to help NFP’s achieve their ambitions. We’re getting wonderful feedback, see quotes below, and are keen that for-purpose organisations know there's accessible support available to them. 

With EXPERT BAR, we are leading the way in providing curated expertise to strengthen the work of not-for-profits and their partners. Thanks to Beyond Bank and our philanthropic partners for their support in bringing this important service to life .

Some of our valued partners above, L – R: Shane Farley, Head of Community, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Beyond Bank, Tom Anglliss, CEO Willam Angliss Charitable Fund, Marlaina McPhillips, Community Development Manager of Victoria, Beyond Bank.

 If you're an NFP, charity or social enterprise leader in need of support in a particular area, check out the 200+ capability areas you can access: EXPERT BAR

EXPERT BAR TESTIMONIALS

“The EXPERT BAR was conceptualised to connect time-poor, resource-poor not-for-profit organisations with trusted, vetted experts. What struck me most was the genuine commitment to wellbeing and capacity-building for organisations that often don’t have access to such valuable support. Thank you, Benefolk, for creating something so practical and full of heart. Kudos to Julia Keady and her formidable team💛”

Pheba Daniel, Operations Manager at Olivia's Place.

“Having been lucky enough to experience two (amazing) Expert sessions, I can wholeheartedly testify to the genius and value of this. It can be a hard gig as a NFP leader, and the opportunity to talk straight and cut to the chase of a problem/opportunity with curated Experts who are there because they care, is deeply appreciated. Thank you.”

Alison Hill, Managing Director, People and Parks Foundation