Most importantly, the analysis shows how the Foundation’s growing understanding of what it means to support self-determination is reflected in our granting. That is, our grants funding has shifted from organisations that support First Nations peoples, to funding First Nations led organisations. Our granting supports work led by various First Nations organisations and those working in genuine partnership with First Nations led organisations, that aligns with our strategic goals and outcomes, particularly regarding social justice.
Environmental Justice Australia Legally empowering First Nations people to care for Country
Invasive Species Council Fund Voice of Country: Creating a culture that cares and collaborates to protect Country
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Supporting Healthy Country and Communities
Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network Ltd Seed WA Youth Gathering
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation Strengthening community/food system resilience through the Culture+Kinship Model
Strong Mothers Inc Pregnant Aboriginal mothers and infants first three years project
The Australian Centre for Social Innovation Inc Yawa - Journeying Together
University of Melbourne Working with Coranderrk on their Unearthing Indigenous foods of Melbourne
Victoria University - Moondani Balluk Aboriginal Resilience and Future Imaginings
Victoria University - Aboriginal History Archive Enhancing Aboriginal Health Worker advocacyand leadership
Weenthunga Health Network Inc Nyarrngakgo mangkie On Country Retreat
Woor-Dungin Inc Testing Woor-Dungin's 'Decolonising Philanthropy: Cultural Audit and Toolkit'
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Design and development of Wurundjeri Educational Resources and School Display Units
In 2024, the Foundation continued to work on its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The Reflect RAP has assisted in furthering the Foundation's reconciliation journey. A detailed action plan was submitted to Reconciliation Australia for review and was approved. A staff committee has been formed to implement our Reflect RAP including undertaking a design process inhouse and working with Murrup Biik Public Art to feature Binak Etching by Aunty Kim Wandin on the cover. The Foundation continues to strengthen our commitment to reconciliation, participating in Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week by featuring and celebrating our First Nations grant partners, as well as engaging in cultural learning activities. A RAP book club was established and worked through Clare Land’s book, Decolonising Solidarity. The Foundation has conducted a review of cultural learning needs for staff and Board, implementing a range of activities to enable this learning. The Foundation joined Philanthropy Australia’s First Nations Funders Group and the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network’s Indigenous Land and Sea Funders Network to learn more about best practice philanthropy in partnership with First Nations organisations.