Women take centrestage at The Funding Network’s First Nations Crowdfunding Event

The annual First Nations Crowdfunding event, held by The Funding Network (TFN), will for the first time showcase an all-women line up of finalists. All leading high‑potential, community‑defined programs, they will pitch for untied funding to philanthropists, corporate partners, peers and everyday Australians.

Selected by an all First Nations panel, the three presenting organisations – Coolamon Community, Deadly Runners, and Woganurra Aboriginal Corporation – will deliver six-minute pitches to a live audience and global livestream in Sydney in November.

TFN’s model of untied, trust-based funding is designed to reduce the reporting burden on First Nations leaders, while building organisational resilience and wellbeing. The approach is backed by coaching, due diligence and an alumni program that connects leaders with networks and capability-building opportunities.

Kristen Lark, CEO of TFN, said: “This is philanthropy doing what it does best, listening to community, backing leadership with flexible funding and opening doors. Our role is to bring generous people into the room and accelerate impact through networks, pro bono support and follow-on giving.”

Presenting Organisations

• Coolamon Community (image below left) provides culturally safe sleep spaces for Aboriginal mums and babies in remote NT and WA communities. Each Coolamon bundle includes essentials and affirming resources, gifted by trusted health staff. Co-founder Evangeline Wood will present the initiative, which is developing a social enterprise to sustain its work.
• Deadly Runners (centre), founded by Georgia Weir, uses running on Country to promote health, healing and opportunity. With over 160 participants and 25 new coaching qualifications since 2023, the program builds pride and resilience while creating jobs for community coaches.
• Woganurra Aboriginal Corporation (right), led by Mia Strasek Barker, stewards the Goondee Aboriginal Keeping Place in Lightning Ridge. The museum and language hub preserves oral histories and revitalises multiple Indigenous languages, fostering intergenerational learning and local pride.

The event also aligns with wider First Nations priorities. The latest Closing the Gap report shows only four of 19 targets are on track, including those related to healthy birthweight babies and Indigenous languages, both areas addressed by the presenting organisations.

The First Nations Crowdfunding Event will be held on 12 November in Sydney from 5:30pm. Register online.