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Back in 2013, VFFF employed our first Grants Trainee and since then, this 18 month Trainee role has become an essential part of the VFFF team. We recognise that philanthropy can be hard for young people to access and that entry level roles are few and far between. Providing a recent graduate with the opportunity to join our small team in a dedicated training role has provided terrific outcomes for us and has successfully kickstarted the careers of an outstanding group of young people. Over the course of 18 months, the traineeship progresses from general administrative and communications support to grants due diligence and research and presenting to our Board and Grants Committee.  Our former Trainees, Rebecca Ninness, Candice Van Doosselaere, Ally Newton and Camilla Chapman have all successfully transitioned from the traineeship into more senior roles in not for profit and philanthropy organisations. In 2020, we were especially pleased to appoint Camilla to the role of VFFF Grants Manager. Our fifth Grants Trainee Natalie Buckett recently commenced at VFFF.

Natalie brings a media and communications background to the role, having edited the University of Sydney’s student newspaper Honi Soit and worked across digital reporting and media production.  Since joining the team in August, she has already had the opportunity to attend both VFFF Board and Grants Committee meetings, contribute to VFFF communications and work directly with a range of not for profits. Natalie views the Grants Traineeship as an invaluable opportunity to gain experience in philanthropy and develop an understanding of grant-making and the not for profit sector in Australia.