Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Funders Reporting Survey – Interactive

In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2025, Philanthropy Australia launches an accessible interactive platform to spotlight key findings from this benchmark survey published earlier in the year. It highlights how funders can shift practice towards greater self-determination and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in philanthropy.

In collaboration with representatives from Philanthropy Australia’s First Nations Funders Network and First Nations Governance Committee, Philanthropy Australia conducted a snapshot survey into philanthropic funding and practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led and controlled organisations for the 2022-23 financial year. It received responses from 81 funding organisations.

It was published in May 2025 and Philanthropy Australia now launches an interactive re-interpretation of the findings that are easy to navigate and that spotlight key findings and learnings on future opportunities.

This work, along with other resources such as Philanthropy Australia’s Inspiring Stories of Giving, and the Wyatt Trust’s Truth Telling process, aims to shift practices towards greater self-determination and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in philanthropy.

Total levels of funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

In 2022-23, about 20% of the total funding from 81 organisations, equivalent to $179.9 million, was received by programs that aim to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. $111.1m of this total funding was directly received by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led and controlled organisations.

Future funding plans

52% (42 organisations) plan to increase total overall funding with many planning to increase funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: 41% expect to increase funding into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led and controlled organisations, and 36% expect to increase funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs.

Shifts in philanthropic practice linked to higher levels of funding

The findings showed the positive impact of cultural training – of those funder organisations that had undertaken training, 70% increased their funding.

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, and move into the new financial year’s funding cycles, we are reminded of the many opportunities to partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, shifting philanthropic practice for more and better giving.

Try it out.