Title: Fundraising Specialist – 6 Month Contract (potential to grow)
Location: Naarm/Melbourne, with flexibility for remote candidates
Status: 0.4 FTE Part-time
Salary: Aligned with the SCHADS Award – Employee Level 8
Start date: Asap / May, 2026
About us
PROJECT ROCKIT is Australia’s youth-driven movement against bullying, hate and prejudice. Established in 2006 as a social enterprise, we have reached more than 880,000 school students and have supported 150+ young people into career-starting roles in the social impact sector.
In 2022, we established the Project Rockit Foundation (PRF), a registered charity (DGR1), to ensure that when it comes to wellbeing, no young person misses out because of their postcode or background. While PROJECT ROCKIT delivers programs at scale, the Foundation mobilises philanthropy and partners to unlock deep access for young people facing disadvantage. PRF has provided fully funded programs to 155,000 young people from 277 schools facing disadvantage.
Role Purpose
Project Rockit Foundation is entering a pivotal growth phase. Built on the proven impact and reach of PROJECT ROCKIT, the Foundation is now establishing the funding engine to deepen equity impact and move PROJECT ROCKIT from grassroots change toward system-level influence.
We are seeking an experienced fundraising and partnerships leader to design and launch the Foundation’s individual giving strategy, supporter infrastructure and early revenue pipeline.
Working closely with the Co-founder / Executive Director, this role will translate PROJECT ROCKIT’s youth voice, cultural relevance and national reach into a growing community of supporters – building the systems, partnerships and fundraising pathways that turn connection into long-term investment in the mission. This is a 6 month contract with potential to grow as the function expands.
Core responsibilities
Design and implement PRF’s individual giving and supporter engagement strategy from inception, including donor acquisition, regular giving and community participation.
Oversee the implementation of core individual giving systems including donor CRM structures, donation platforms and supporter onboarding processes.
Identify and secure near-term funding opportunities including philanthropic grants, matched funding partners and corporate partnerships.
Work alongside the Executive Director to develop strong funding proposals and build a pipeline of philanthropic, partnership and campaign funding opportunities.
Key selection criteria
- Minimum 5+ years’ experience in senior fundraising, philanthropy, partnerships or business development roles within the not-for-profit or social impact sector.
- Demonstrated experience building individual giving programs, including donor engagement strategies and supporter journeys.
- Strong understanding of donor psychology and stewardship practices that build long-term philanthropic relationships.
- Demonstrated success securing funding from philanthropic foundations, corporate partnerships and grant programs, supported by strong proposal development and grant writing skills.
- Proven ability to develop and manage a strategic funding pipeline and deliver measurable revenue growth
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with funders and partners.
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, comfortable working in a small, entrepreneurial organisation.
Project Rockit Foundation is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people of colour, culturally and linguistically diverse, neurodivergent and/or disabled, and/or LGBTQIA+. We support flexible working arrangements and making adjustments where needed.
How to apply
All applications must be submitted through Employment Hero and your application must include:
A cover letter
A copy of your CV, including two references
Your responses to the Key Selection Criteria (with specific examples)
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
To learn more head to projectrockit.com.au or find us on socials – @projectrockit.
NOTE: It is an offence under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 2005 for a person convicted of a serious sex offence to apply for this position. Any offer of employment at PROJECT ROCKIT is subject to a satisfactory Working with Children Check and police check.
