The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
In the spirit of NRW, which runs from 27 May – 3 June 2024, we are sharing funding opportunities with a specific focus on funding supporting First Nations people, projects and organisations.
As always, if you are considering applying for any of the opportunities below, read the guidelines carefully and ensure that your organisation meets all eligibility criteria.
Funding opportunities
Private Sector Pathways Program – Provenance research tool that enhances identification accuracy of First Nations cultural materials – closing 19 June 2025
This Private Sector Pathways (PSP) Challenge aims to provide opportunities for innovative Queensland-based organisations to assist the Queensland Museum (QM) to efficiently digitise, analyse and store First Nations cultural heritage material in order to improve processing times. Honouring and embracing our rich and ancient cultural history is a core responsibility for QM, underpinned by Repatriation of Ancestral Remains, Secret Sacred objects and other significant cultural heritage items on behalf of the First Nations communities. The successful applicant will receive grant funding of up to $100,000.
More information: https://advance.qld.gov.au/grants-and-programs/private-sector-pathways-program
Legacy: First Nations Multi-Year Project Fund – closing 8 July 2025
Providing $150,000 over 3 years to support First Nations communities, elders and established artists and practitioners in identifying areas for younger people to be skilled through models that are appropriate to their community and project.
More information: https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/legacy-first-nations-multi-year-project-fund
Annamila First Nations Foundation – apply anytime
The Annamila First Nations Foundation provides charitable services by Contributing, Convening and Influencing. There are three program streams. Country And Culture – projects must have as their main outcome a sustainable benefit related to caring for Country, supporting cultural practice, renewal or cultural education and development of First Peoples art forms. Healing And Wellbeing – must have as their main outcome/focus in First Peoples personal and/or collective healing and wellbeing. Projects in this area must also be potentially able to be scalable and/or of national significance. Truth And Justice – Projects must have as their main outcome systems level impact on nationally significant matters. Projects must also have a scale that reaches beyond any one community or group imperative.
More information: https://www.annamila.com/#about-us
Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) – Community Initiated Proposals – closing 30 December 2025
Under the IAS, the Agency considers grant proposals that address a need for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Proposals should be developed with the target community or group who will be impacted by the activity. This funding approach can be used to present a proposal to the Agency where a need has been identified in the community and there are no other current funding avenues available.
You may discuss an initial proposal with the Agency at any time by contacting your local NIAA Regional Office, or by calling 1800 079 098.
More information: https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=af51f2f8-e3e3-4628-9a9d-ab0607ca11e8 and https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/grants-and-funding/community-initiated-proposals
Indigenous Land And Sea Corporation (ILSC) – Our Country Our Future – apply anytime
ILSC offer a wide range of assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups seeking support for their projects including: direct funding for purchasing, managing and/or developing land or water-related interests; advice and capability support for property owners including information, knowledge and training to assist with project development and delivery; facilitation, advocacy and negotiation to develop partnerships, markets and other opportunities.
More information: https://www.ilsc.gov.au/partner-with-us/our-country-our-future/
Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation – Noongar Charitable Trust – next closing date is 20 July 2025
The Noongar Charitable Trust (NCT) was established to provide relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, destitution, misfortune and helplessness of the Noongar Community. The Trust aims to support projects run by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations which offer a direct and noticeable benefit to the Noongar community.
Grant range: $5,000 and above
Closing date: Applications are to be submitted and received by 11.59pm AWST on the following submission dates: 20 January, 20 April, 20 July and 20 October each year.
More information: https://www.eqt.com.au/philanthropy/noongar-charitable-trust
Glencore Clermont Aboriginal Community Development Fund (ACDF)
Glencore operates the Clermont Open Cut coal mine within the Project Area also known as the Clermont-Belyando Area Native Title Claim. The Clermont-Belyando Area Native Title Claim Group signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) in May 2008. This agreement established an ACDF that provides funds to support community driven projects that deliver positive, constructive, real and sustainable outcomes to the Aboriginal Community of Interest.
Closing date: Applications for funding open on 1 January of each year and assessments will take place on a quarterly basis.
More information: https://www.glencore.com.au/operations-and-projects/coal/current-operations/clermont-open-cut/clermont-acdf
MACH Energy Mount Pleasant Operation – Aboriginal Community Development Fund (ACDF)
The Fund was amongst the community benefits identified in 2005 as part of a Native Title Agreement with the Wonnarua People, as represented by Victor Perry. MACH welcomes the opportunity this Fund provides to make a meaningful contribution to the sustainability and well-being of Aboriginal communities in the Upper Hunter Valley. The ACDF seeks to support partnerships that target issues, needs and opportunities which are priorities for local Aboriginal communities in areas such as health; economic development; cultural and community development and education.
Closing date: The Committee will consider completed applications at its meetings, which are scheduled to occur at least four times per year.
More information: https://machenergyaustralia.com.au/aboriginal-community-development-fund/
Blog post image shared with the consent of Hymba Yumba Independent School.
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