Helping kids shine
First Nations Futures is a First Nations-led organisation creating pathways for all people living in Australia to shift wealth to First Nations community initiatives and organisations driving intergenerational change.
A true change-maker, First Nations Futures builds long-term partnerships with First Nations non-profit initiatives and organisations across the continent and surrounding islands that are engaged in work that centres young people, cultural and regenerative practices and the wellbeing of people and Country. They work across philanthropy, social enterprise and the private sector to advocate for these areas to shift wealth and co invest into First Nations communities long term.
Amaroo Foundation (using the donations from our affiliated organisation Amaroo Club), has created Project Narmara which will distribute funds across nine community organisations and initiatives that First Nations Futures has partnered with who operate across a range of different systems and regions across Australia.
Schools Plus is an organisation that acts as a bridge between philanthropy and schools to give disadvantaged students the opportunities that can make a real difference to their education and lives.
Founded by the author of the Gonski Report, David Gonski, Schools Plus focuses on lifting the standard and facilities in education. For example, if a school has an issue such as lack of STEM facilities, mental health support or lower-than-expected literacy levels, that school can apply to Schools Plus with a proposed solution for funding and partners.
Since its establishment, Schools Plus has injected $26 million into the Australian school system, supported more than 1000 schools, and helped over 300,000 students.
As one of the Strategic Partners, Amaroo Foundation is currently collaborating with Schools Plus on a project for a cluster of schools in the Koo Wee Rup region of Victoria. This work involves developing an action plan, and matching support, to ensure the children at these schools are provided with the educational support they need to meet their potential.
Nothing should get in the way of a child getting an education. But unfortunately this is the reality for many kids around the world; whether because of geographical distance, poverty, intermittent electricity, or simply a lack of consistent and fast internet access. It all plays a part.
Amaroo Foundation has a firm focus on creating educational opportunities, which is why we are delighted to be contributing to a Plan International project in the Solomon Islands that is striving to overcome the unique challenges that come with living in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.
The project involves launching an educational television series and community education hubs to directly impact thousands of children throughout the six major and over 900 smaller islands across the Solomon Islands. The hubs will support early education teachers with libraries and other resources, along with more online curriculum, and locally produced TV shows. While it’s still early days, a handful of TV shows have been produced and released with plenty more to come.
Through delivering more teacher training, books, and online and annual teaching events, this exciting program will provide educational support to early education teachers and thousands of children throughout the Solomon Islands who wouldn’t have been able to access this level of education. It will also be supported by the new NBN that is currently being rolled out across the Solomon Islands.
Once the program has been tested and proven to be an effective working model, the bigger picture is for Amaroo Foundation and Plan International to roll it out to other Pacific nations like Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga, opening up these educational tools to many thousands more.
Our Foundation’s clear focus is funding hands-on, grassroots projects that get kids reading, learning and socialising in their own communities, and we’re excited to see where this work with Plan International goes.
In a 2016 report, it was revealed that 85% of Australians believe it’s important to know about the histories of our First Nations people, but only 42% believe they have a high level of knowledge of that history*.
Common Ground was created to help shape a society that centres First Nations people by promoting and amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories. Its aim is to be a valuable and go-to resource for people who want to learn more, and connect with, First Nations people. It seeks to do this by:
Like Common Ground, Amaroo Foundation is passionate about working towards a society that celebrates and embraces our First Nations people. We are thrilled to be supporting Common Ground in their initiatives and exploring how we can best help them deliver First Nations education and storytelling of country and culture in both rural and metro areas.
*Australian Reconciliation Barometer (2016) – Reconciliation Australia
We’re focused on helping kids shine, and we believe that all children can reach their potential through education. The challenge is that, both locally and globally, there are children that miss out on school and other kinds of education. Our aim is to provide access and engagement in education so kids have the opportunity to be their best self, go for their dreams – and reach for the stars!
We work closely with a number of not for profit partners. Amaroo Foundation invites its prospective partners to apply for funding at various times throughout the year.