The Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) is pleased to announce the recipients of $6 million in new funding to organisations working to grow opportunities for First Nations communities in the
Northern Territory, the Torres Strait, Tasmania, regional and remote South Australia and regional and remote Queensland.
Each grant of up to $500,000 in the $6 million funding package is designed to empower First Nations-led organisations to strengthen their impact in communities and catalyse opportunities for self-determination.
The grants will support a wide range of First Nations-led projects, including improving service delivery and community wellbeing, enabling community-led land and Country management initiatives, strengthening governance and leadership, building organisational capacity, and workforce development. Funding will also back youth mentoring and cultural programs, and will go towards upgrades that support food security and local economic participation.
“The solutions to many of Australia’s most complex challenges already exist within First Nations communities. They are found in the knowledge systems, leadership traditions and deep
connections to people and Country that have sustained communities for millennia,” said Michelle Steele, Chief First Nations Officer, PRF.
“First Nations-led organisations show us what’s possible when decision-making sits closer to community. Whether strengthening culture, creating opportunities for young people, caring for Country or building local economies, these organisations are drawing on generations of knowledge and experience to shape stronger futures for their communities.”
Since 2016, PRF has provided almost $250 million to organisations working to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, three quarters of which has been awarded to First Nations-led organisations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
See the full list of recipients below:
| Organisation | Project | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Milindji Aboriginal Corporation | Milindji: Strong Team – Strong Future | To improve outcomes for the First Nations people in Gapuwiyak through increasing the Corporation’s (MAC) Director, staff and member access to professional development opportunities. |
| Mer Gedkem Le (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC | Building Governance & Leadership Capacity for Mer Gedkem Le TSI Corporation | To support Meriam people to manage their lands and waters by ensuring that they have the skills, structures, and leadership necessary to make informed and independent decisions. |
| Gunawuna Jungai | Doomadgee Collective Impact | Support Gunawuna Jungai to assist local service providers to better meet the needs of the Doomadgee community. |
| Umoona Community Council (UCC) | Leadership Program for Community Growth | To increase service delivery and community wellbeing in Coober Pedy and Umoona by building financial sustainability and employment opportunities. |
| Jika Kangka Gununamanda Limited | MI Youth Strong Empowerment Initiative (MI YSEI) | To train the Youth Advisory Group and others on Mornington Island in culturally grounded leadership and governance. |
| Firesticks Alliance | Autonomous Communities Fund | To strengthen local economies, leadership and community wellbeing in First Nations communities in Tasmania and Far North Queensland by creating four Community Hubs where place-specific land management knowledge and practice can be shared. |
| Akeyulerre Aboriginal Corporation | Akeyulerre Cultural Governance: Growing Governance and Leadership for Our People | To ensure the continued self-determination of the Arrernte people by strengthening the governance, leadership and operational capacity of the Akeyulerre Aboriginal Corporation. |
| Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | Bama Futures Project | To support the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people to achieve self-determination by strengthening financial and leadership sustainability of Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation. |
| Papunya Tjupi Art Centre Aboriginal Corporation | Enhancement of Youth Men’s Centre | To support the First Nations community of the Papunya Tjupi Art Centre towards self-determination through supporting localised management of artistic output and increasing opportunities for men to creatively engage with Country through music and sculpture. |
| Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good | Good Vibrations – Peer Supports | To support First Nations communities in Cairns by mentoring young First Nations leaders to serve community-led organisations. |
| Murin Association Incorporated | Thamarrurr Homelands Governance | To create a Homelands Governance Committee to support self-determination for First Nations people living on Thamarrurr Homelands. |
| Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation | Creating Independence and Empowerment Through Strong Yolngu Governance | To develop a culturally integrated governance framework to support the self-determination of First Nations people of the Arafura Swamp region of Arnhem Land. |
| National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Governance | To increase self-determined health outcomes for Indigenous people by empowering the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to provide governance, leadership and mentoring to future leaders within the Community Controlled Health Service Delivery space. |
| Wik Projects | Wik Tribal Council Capacity Building in Support of IPA Implementation | To support Wik and Waya Traditional Owners to build capability and capacity for successful self-determined management of the Wik Indigenous Protected Area and its people by building the Wik Tribal Council’s leadership capability and community engagement. |
| Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation | Resourcing for Implementation of Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation Strategic Plan | To support Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) to employ a General Manager to implement its Strategic and Master Plans to become a financially and operationally sustainable Aboriginal Corporation. |
About the Paul Ramsay Foundation
PRF is a philanthropic foundation.
The late Paul Ramsay AO established the Foundation in his name in 2006 and, after his death in 2014, left most of his estate to continue his philanthropy for generations to come.
At PRF, we work for a future where people and places have what they need to thrive.
With organisations and communities, we invest in, build, and influence the conditions needed to stop disadvantage in Australia.
Find out more about how we work at www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au