(me·lio·rist) /ˈmiːlɪərɪst/
noun
1. One who believes that improvement of society depends on human effort
Kia ora, I’m Jemma Hartley, Director of The Meliorist.
I consult and partner with impact-focused people and organisations who each use my expertise in different ways.
Usually, the problem we’re solving is in one of four areas – fundraising, communications, strategic planning or charity governance.
Great causes, greater impact.
Each project I support as The Meliorist is different. Here are some of the problems people had when they came to see me initially:
“Fundraising’s just a bit of a mess. We’re always reacting to things. I feel like we could be so much better if we had some direction and clarity.”
“I am leading this team because I’m passionate about the kaupapa and I understand what it takes to be a CEO, but no-one ever really taught me about fundraising.”
“My Board just don’t quite understand the importance of fundraising. How do you think we could best upskill them?”
“This mahi is so important, but there are never enough hours in the day for us to do this properly. Could you come in and support [this specific project] so I can focus on what needs to be done?”
“The team have asked for personalised support, not generic professional development courses. Could you step in to help with mentoring?”
“We want to be as big as [insert multi-million dollar charity in here] – that’s our BHAG. What are the stepping stones to get there?
“We have no idea how to work through this one. We need some more perspectives. Could you chat to [our donors/the staff/the board] and tell us what they think?”
“Now you’ve done this strategy work, we’re going to need someone to implement it. Could you help us find the right skills to take our charity to the next level?
As a result of these conversations, I’ve been privileged to do some fascinating mahi as a for-purpose Consultant in Aotearoa:
Mentored the full fundraising team at a childen’s charity during a national merge.
Helped a social services charity determine how to utilise a seven-figure bequest, juggling donor intent with the organisation’s evolved kaupapa.
Recruited fundraising professionals across a variety of sectors.
Helped a social services charity board determine if their leadership model was fit-for-purpose.
Mentored the CEO of a kaupapa Māori charity through developing a fundraising campaign.
Supported a community development charity with a full communications review and rewrite.
Supported a health charity with a roadmap to make their fundraising goals a reality.
Worked with volunteers and service users at a youth development charity to ensure the participant voice led the organisation’s kaupapa.
Worked with boards of charities across the motu regarding fundraising strategy and governance.
Hosted a health charity for a full-day workshop with the full team and CEO and developed a Service Delivery Model.
Provided a Community Foundation with full suite of communications, fundraising and strategy expertise.
Advised the board of an environmental charity about the strategic direction of their fundraising.
Consulted with a private philanthropist and their family to support the development of a scholarship fund, including sector engagement and award development.
Stepped in to support a housing charity with operations expertise.
Conducted a variety of staff and stakeholder engagement studies, feasibility reports, fundraising strategies, and mentoring sessions on behalf of Gemelli Consulting and The Fundraising Agency.
The Meliorist.
What’s with your name?
You might have heard of the word “ameliorate”? Same root word.
As I came to explore names for my business, The Meliorist (pronounced “Mee-lee-or-ist”) took the cake.
This comes from the philosophy of meliorism – the belief that positive change comes through deliberate human action. It infers agency and moral responsibility – we can make things better, and we have the power to, so we should.
Seth Godin not only introduced me to the concept, but completely shifted the focus of my professional life and put the structures in place that gave me the confidence to take this leap. I owe him, big time.
For-purpose organisations utilise my skills to help them solve a problem through providing advice, mentorship, strategy work, on-the-ground support, or practical solutions. Each contract is different, depending on the needs of the charity.
Need a bit more detail?
I’m a fundraising and communications specialist who consults nationally with charity teams, leaders and boards in New Zealand. My business is called The Meliorist.
I have consulted in for-purpose organisations in the kaupapa Māori, community foundations, religious, human rights, health, conservation, international development, education, social service, research, medical, animal welfare, arts and culture, youth development, sports and recreation, heritage, disability support and housing sectors. I have spoken at the FINZ (Fundraising Institute of NZ) Conference and at BBCON in Sydney.
I coached the altMBA and The Creative’s Workshop through Akimbo, Seth Godin’s global cohort-based learning initiatives until they wrapped up in 2024. I was one of two coaches in Aotearoa, and one of ~200 worldwide. That’s how I’ve grown my mentoring skills – skills like supporting people with smarter decision making and risk taking, clearer goal setting, increased empathy and self-awareness, taking the initiative, and enrolling others in a vision.
I am on the Board of Bowel Cancer New Zealand, have previously been on the Board of Inspiring Stories, and am an active member of and contributing writer for the Institute of Directors and The Spinoff.
When I’m away from my laptop, you may find me:
- Chasing my dogs around the Crater Rim trails.
- Trying in vain to clear my podcast queue while tinkering in the kitchen with a new recipe.
- Yakking on ad nauseum about how beautiful Diamond Harbour is. Seriously, if you’re in Ōtautahi, pay us a visit. Conquer the highest peak in the Peninsula, or just meander along the Clifftop Track. Bring a picnic and a frisbee. Jump off the jetty – even in July there’s a crew. Try a smoothie or hot chocolate at Soulful, they’re the best in the city. If you’re more a beer and pizza kind of person, Two Thumb has you sorted. Wild blackberries, an unofficial dog park, arts and crafts at Stoddart Cottage… why wouldn’t you?
Like what you read?
Let’s start with a conversation about where you are and where you want to be.
There’s no obligation, on either side – just a chance to explore how we might work together to make good things you’re doing even better.
The Meliorist
Founder and Director – Jemma Hartley
Great causes, greater impact.
The Meliorist | For-Purpose Consultant 