Inspire transformational philanthropy
to build a better world
We support organisations to achieve transformational impact through philanthropy.
Why Noble Ambition
Noble Ambition offers tailored strategic fundraising counsel based on international best practice
Philanthropy changes lives when donors realise meaningful impact that speaks to what’s fundamentally important to them. It changes lives when recipients access opportunities beyond their wildest dreams. We work with our clients to multiply the scale and impact of philanthropy and fundraising.
Since 2016, we have developed strategy and built capacity of our clients to drive campaign ambitions.
Noble Ambition has a national client base across the non-profit sector – from health, education, medical research, advocacy to arts/cultural institutions.
What we do
Noble Ambition is driven to create positive social change for many:
‘to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield’.
Who We Are
Melissa Smith
Director & Founder
Melissa is former Global Fundraiser of the Year (IFC, 2011) and Australian Fundraiser of the Year (FIA, 2011). She has facilitated over $40 million in philanthropic giving across education, the arts and health, working with hundreds of donors in Australia, Asia and the United States.
Melissa has led four fundraising programs from start-up to established, from Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Opera House in the arts, to University of Technology, Sydney and RMIT University, in education.
Melissa has a BA Hons (First Class, USyd), Masters of Management (UTS); is a Churchill Fellow (2007) and a graduate of University of Melbourne’s Asialink Leaders Program and Benevolent Society’s Sydney Leadership Program. Her research and presented findings internationally on areas including the impact of culture on philanthropy, international best practice in arts philanthropy, and the role of leadership in philanthropy.
Melissa’s lifelong interest and experience enables her to understand both philanthropy and fundraising. She is in the privileged position of possessing the practical and strategic skills to support both pillars equally.