• Skills

    Things I've picked up over the years

    Organisational Expertise

    Strategic planning for organisations, and fundraising programmes Overseen, managed and written multiple strategic plans. Including for GPEA, Alzheimers NZ, FINZ, NZ Riding for Disabled, Toi Whakaari, Orchestra Wellington, Hui E! and Christine Taylor Foundation.

     

    Budget setting and management

    Setting budgets for organisations both large and small - up to 40 mil euro.

     

    Knowledge Management Project managed a knowledge management project for all of GPEA. Skilled in detailed documentation for all work.

     

    Team management, coaching, mentoring Managed and coached teams from 2 people up to 150 people.

     

    HR experience Many years and different experiences of HR practices, including performance management, goal setting and review, coaching, and recruitment.

    Fundraising Expertise

    All aspects of fundraising leadership and management Over 20 years of managing fundraising programmes, and keeping up to date with both new trends, digital opportunities, payment systems, benchmarking, and people management.

     

    Fundraising acquisition: digital fundraising (email, web, social media), direct dialogue, tele-fundraising (lead generation and conversion + donor development TFR programmes), direct mail (omni-channel), sponsorship, events.

     

    Philanthropy: major gifts, grants, legacy giving for multiple organisations.

     

    Fundraising audit/assessment

    Assessments for all the organisations I have worked with, as well as Victim Support, NZ Riding for Disabled, and Christine Taylor Foundation.

     

    Donor experience and data management Wellington Cancer Society - Wrote a Donor Care Handbook, including data flow mapping and donor experience mapping.

    GPEA project lead on implementing journey setting software, plus coordination of a data propensity project. Lead on the overall donor experience for GPEA.

    Awards

    Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of NZ

    FINZ National Direct Mail Appeal Award

    NZ Marketing Association Direct Marketing Silver Award

    Maven for The Fundraising Nest

    Acknowledgement in Ken Burnett's Relaitonship Fundraising 3rd edition book

    Education

    Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Through the CFRE qualification board 2015-2019

     

    Papers in Bachelor of Philanthropy (Fundraising 101 and 201), Indiana University, USA

     

    Bachelor of Arts (Theatre & Film Major), Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand

  • Expertise

    Things I've picked up over the years

    Speaking roles

    FINZ 2020 Conference: presented a Masterclass + 2 workshops + IWITOT + Judge for the FINZ Awards.

     

    Panelist at FINZ Central event (2019)

     

    Master class and workshop presenter at FINZ 2018 conference.

     

    Master class presenter at IFC Asia (2017).

     

    Presenter in the Fundraising Institute of NZ (FINZ) webinar series (2014).

     

    Presenter at the Fundraising and Philanthropy conference (2012).

     

    Presenter at the FINZ National conference (2013).

     

    Presenter at Wellington and Palmerston North 360 Education sessions (2013, 2014).

    Teaching/Coaching

    Teacher in the National Certificate in Fundraising (2013 - 2015).

    Mentor for FINZ to support new and mid-experienced fundraisers.

    Coach to many senior, mid level and junior fundraisers at Greenpeace East Asia. This was mostly across the region, and therefore via zoom on a weekly basis, and in-person.

    Boards/Committees

    Board member of the Public Fundraising

    Regulatory Authority (PFRA) (2013 - 2015).

    Chair of the Central Division of FINZ (2011 - 2015).

    New Zealand representative on the CFRE Advisory committee (2014).

    Experience with working with Committees and Boards.

    Writing

    Published articles in the National FINZ magazine.

     

    Written over 100 direct mail pieces, with multichannel promotion (email, SMS, social media).

  • Recommendations

    People I've had the privilege to work with

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    Cristina San Vicente

    Deputy Executive Director, Greenpeace East Asia

    Rebecca is a powerhouse in fundraising strategy, change management, and donor engagement. A natural leader, she blends strategic vision with a collaborative approach, guiding teams through complex transitions with clarity and purpose. At Greenpeace East Asia, her impact has been transformative—playing a key role in multi-year strategic planning cycles and laying the foundation for expanding our philanthropy expertise. She was instrumental in strengthening foundation and grant outreach, optimizing donor engagement, and integrating data-driven decision-making into our work. Rebecca’s leadership balances structure with adaptability, ensuring that strategy turns into action. Her expertise, mentorship, and ability to inspire those around her have been invaluable, and any organization would be fortunate to have her driving their fundraising growth.

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    Michelle Berriman

    Co-Founder and Chief Nester at The Fundraising Nest

    Rebecca Scelly is one of the most impressive and knowledgeable fundraising professionals I have had had the privilege of working with. Rebecca’s knowledge is evident as soon as you meet her, with an undeniable level of expertise she represents the highest level of fundraising professional that all fundraisers aspire to reach, but few succeed. Rebecca has the smarts and skills to transform fundraising within any organisation. She is a one-of-a-kind transformational, fundraising professional, that I am honoured to know as a mentor, friend, and advisor.

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    Helen Kelland

    Database and Donor Relations Manager, Alzheimers NZ

    Rebecca is a hard-working knowledgeable fundraiser that I have ever worked with.

    Her knowledge, experience and passion for Fundraising is exceptional, with her consistently delivering high-quality campaigns.

    Rebecca attention to detail, and professionalism in the Fundraising area, have greatly contributed to the success of the campaigns with her over many years.

    Her ability to understand and execute the vision of campaigns, has resulted in achieving outstanding results.

    Rebecca possess excellent communication skills, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow throughout all the campaigns duration.

    Her flair for creative writing mailers, is another outstanding contribution she has.

    Her dedication to the Fundraising sector, is ongoing with meeting deadlines and her ability to understand and adapt changes swiftly without compromising on quality sets her apart.

    An exceptional Fundraiser, mentor and friend.

  • Experience

    Places and people I've worked with

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    Greenpeace East Asia

    Fundraising Leader

    December 2015 - February 2025

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    Alzheimers NZ

    Fundraising Leader

    June 2021 - Current

    Freelancer

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    Outside Insights

    Director

    2018 - 2022

    Business Owner

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    Royal Forest & Bird Society of NZ

    Fundraising Leader

    2011 - 2014

    Full time

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    Muscular Dystrophy NSW

    Fundraising Leader

    2010 - 2011

    Full time

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    Australian Foundation for Disability

    Fundraising Leader

    2008 - 2009

    Full time

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    Presbyterian Support Central

    Fundraising Leader

    2004 - 2007

    Full time

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    Central Hawkes Bay Museum

    Curator/Manager

    2003

    Full time