UNE welcomes new chief fundraiser
The University of New England has chosen Martha Saw as the CEO of its fundraising arm, the UNE Foundation, and director of the newly created Office of Advancement.
Ms Saw, who will take up the role on November 17, brings with her a wealth of fundraising experience, having previously worked for McKillop Family Services, Questacon, and the Canberra Region Medical Foundation. Most recently, she held a senior role with MontroseAccess, a Queensland support service helping children and young adults with disabilities.
Ms Saw said she was looking forward to the challenge of encouraging greater private investment in the University, and especially in UNE’s research efforts, which she described as having “global implications”.
“Fundraising is important for all universities because government funding only goes so far,” Ms Saw said.
“But more than that, I think we as a community have a responsibility to ensure that the next generation has access to the finest education possible.”
UNE’s Chief Development Officer, Chris Patton, said: “As UNE joins many universities in Australia in seeking greater expansion in its alumni management, university development and philanthropic activity, Martha will lead an expansion of UNE’s efforts in this area.”
Noting that Ms Saw already had a connection with UNE, as one of its students, Mr Patton continued: “We are pleased that Martha has chosen to move to Armidale from Brisbane, having already gained a close affiliation with UNE as one of our distance education students.”
The UNE Foundation, which Ms Saw will head, is an independent not-for-profit company established to support the University of New England in ways that benefit the University, its students, and the wider community. Money raised by the foundation goes primarily towards scholarships, endowments, and research, and is used with strict regard for the donors’ wishes. Because the University underwrites the foundation’s operating costs, every dollar the foundation receives goes to support these activities. The foundation’s board of directors give its time for free.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the foundation should contact the UNE Office of Advancement on (02) 6773 2870 or visit http://alumni.une.edu.au/?page=support to donate online.