ImpactLab Masterclass: Pitch perfect – turning impact into influence

What if you had just 60 seconds to convince a funder your work is worth investing in?

Event details
Date: Thursday 3 December 2026
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Available Places: 15 people
Presented By: Paula Cowan, Managing Director, ImpactInstitute

Many organisations are creating meaningful change, but struggle to communicate that impact in a way that’s clear, concise and compelling.

Whether you’re speaking to a grant maker, philanthropist, corporate partner or potential supporter, first impressions matter. Yet too often, organisations dive straight into programs, activities and outputs without clearly explaining the problem they’re solving, the change they’re creating, and why someone should invest in their mission.

If you’ve ever found yourself talking in circles, struggling to explain your impact, or leaving a funding conversation wishing you’d said things differently, this workshop is for you.

This December, ImpactInstitute will deliver a practical, interactive virtual workshop designed to help purpose-driven organisations develop and refine a compelling elevator pitch that resonates with funders and supporters.

Through a combination of storytelling principles, impact communication techniques and hands-on practice, participants will workshop their own pitch in real time, receive expert feedback and leave with a powerful narrative they can immediately apply in funding conversations.

The Masterclass will explore:

• What makes an effective elevator pitch
• How to clearly communicate your organisation’s purpose and impact
• How to connect need, impact and opportunity into a compelling narrative
• How to communicate complex work in simple, accessible language
• How to use stories, evidence and outcomes to build credibility
• How to tailor your pitch for different funders and stakeholders
• How to confidently deliver your pitch in high-stakes conversations
• Common mistakes organisations make when talking about their impact

Whether you’re seeking grants, building philanthropic relationships, developing corporate partnerships or advocating for investment in your work, this workshop will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence and influence.

You’ll leave with a proven framework, a refined elevator pitch, and practical techniques you can apply immediately.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for:

• CEOs and Executive leaders
• Fundraising and development professionals
• Partnerships and philanthropy teams
• Communications and marketing professionals
• Social impact and ESG practitioners
• Program and service managers
• Anyone responsible for communicating impact to external stakeholders

No fundraising experience is required.

Masterclass outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Articulate their organisation’s impact in a concise and compelling way
• Develop an elevator pitch tailored to funding and partnership audiences
• Connect evidence, storytelling and outcomes into a single narrative
• Build stronger credibility through strategic use of proof points
• Adapt messaging for different stakeholders and opportunities
• Communicate with greater confidence during funding conversations