WA Stories of Giving: Kim Collard on Indigenous philanthropy

Currently, less than one per cent of philanthropic funding in Australia reaches Aboriginal‑led projects. For Kim Collard, a proud Balladong‑Whadjuk man of the Noongar Nation, growing this number is not only a matter of equity, but an opportunity to strengthen Australia’s philanthropic landscape as a whole. 

Kim is the founder of Perth-based vehicle rental business Kulbardi and Kooya Australia Fleet Services, which creates employment opportunities for Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal people. Kim has long been guided by a simple but powerful principle: never forget where you come from, and always give back to community. 

In a video interview with Philanthropy Australia, Kim shared that underpinning his company’s commercial success is a conscious decision to embed giving back into the fabric of the business through a community investment model. “I want to be seen to be giving back; I want to be seen to be leaving a legacy,” Kim said.  

That commitment led to the establishment of what is now known as the Bibbulmun Fund, which dedicates five per cent of business profits to Aboriginal‑led initiatives. Since 2014, the fund has raised more than $1.6 million, supporting dozens of organisations and thousands of individuals across Australia. 

Education is central to addressing funding imbalance 

Growth is particularly important given the imbalance Kim sees in funding flows. “I’d like to see the numbers increase to parity with population demographics,” he said, pointing to the opportunity to significantly expand investment in Aboriginal communities. 

There is positive momentum. Over the past 15 years, the number of Aboriginal businesses in Australia has grown from around 70 to more than 5,000. “For the very first time in the history of our country, successful Aboriginal men and women are engaged in the wealth and the economy of our traditional homelands,” he said. 

Education, Kim believes, is central to sustaining that momentum. “Education is a tool of empowerment,” he said, describing why it remains a key focus for the Bibbulmun Fund and for his broader philanthropic efforts. 

“I encourage young Aboriginal businessmen and women and entrepreneurs who are successful to establish their own foundations, their own funds,” Kim says. “To be able to contribute. To give back.” 

Thank you to Lotterywest for supporting production of the video interview, as part of the WA Stories of Giving project.