Voices for Impact
Supporting the First Nations leaders mobilising around the Referendum
IMPACT FUND 2023
Voices for Impact is the Impact Fund’s Large Grants Round for 2023. The Impact Fund is a movement of funders and changemakers working for a fairer and more sustainable Australia.
Join us for this momentous opportunity to help create a fairer Australia
“In 2017, 250 First Nations leaders from across the continent came together to craft an invitation to the Australian people that would become the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Six years later, we now have an opportunity to answer its call, taking a first step towards its realisation with the creation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.”
Jody Barney, Rueben Berg and Chris Croker
First Nations Advisory Group
Australian Communities Foundation
JODY BARNEY ABORIGINAL / SOUTH SEA ISLANDER
Executive Officer, Koondee Woonga-gat Toor-rong
RUEBEN BERG GUNDITJMARA
Representative, First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
CHRIS CROKER LURITJA
Managing Director, Impact Investment Partners
Watch the launch
Hear directly from the leaders of the ‘Voices for Impact’ projects, including Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA, Rachel Perkins, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, Bridget Cama, Allira Davis and Marcus Stewart.
Introducing the projects working towards Yes
2023 First Nations Voice Campaign
ULURU DIALOGUE, INDIGENOUS LAW CENTRE UNSW
$210,600 RAISED
The Uluru Dialogue is a group of First Nations leaders across Australia continuing to carry the cultural authority and the mandate of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Passing the Message Stick
AUSTRALIAN PROGRESS + GETUP
$261,350 RAISED
As we approach the Referendum, Passing the Message Stick is shifting public narrative in support of First Nations justice and self-determination.
Yes Campaign
AUSTRALIANS FOR INDIGENOUS CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
$360,000 RAISED
In the lead-up to the Referendum, Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition is enabling all Australians to be a part of this historic opportunity through a national campaign: Yes 23.
ACF Referendum Grants Pool
AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION
$313,000 RAISED
We’re launching the Referendum Grants Pool to support community groups and organisations all over the country mobilising around different aspects of the campaign.
Other ways to get involved
REFERENDUM RESOURCE HUB
As we approach the Referendum, we will be sharing all the latest resources and ways you can get involved on our Referendum Resource Hub.
SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about opportunities to learn from and support First Nations leaders.
We’re saying YES
“This is work that is close to our hearts. Australian Communities Foundation has long supported First Nations communities.
This commitment was formalised in 2009 with the establishment of our Indigenous Donor Circle and further embedded in 2017 with Supporting Indigenous Self-Determination becoming one of our four key Impact Areas. To date, our community has given more than $17 million to Indigenous communities.
If you support the principle of First Nations communities having a say on the laws and policies that affect them, then we invite you to join us in saying YES to this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
Eric Beecher, Chair
Maree Sidey, Chief Executive Officer
ERIC BEECHER
Chair, Australian Communities Foundation
MAREE SIDEY
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Communities Foundation
Join us for this momentous opportunity to help create a fairer Australia
In 2017, 250 First Nations leaders from across the continent came together to craft an invitation to the Australian people that would become the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Six years later, we now have an opportunity to answer its call, taking a first step towards its realisation with the creation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Later this year, Australians will vote in a referendum that asks a key question: should we alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?
This vote will give all Australians the chance to come together and consider a change to our Constitution for a fairer Australia.
First Nations leaders, advocates and communities are working together to ensure that all Australians understand the significance of this vote.
In coming together to support the campaign for a Yes vote, we have a rare chance to build on this work and make a major positive impact now and for future generations, enabling Indigenous communities to have a say on matters that impact them rather than have decisions made on their behalf.
Join us for this momentous opportunity to help create a fairer Australia.
Jody Barney, Rueben Berg and Chris Croker
First Nations Advisory Group
Australian Communities Foundation
JODY BARNEY (ABORIGINAL / SOUTH SEA ISLANDER)
Executive Officer, Koondee Woonga-gat Toor-rong
RUEBEN BERG (GUNDITJMARA)
Representative, First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
CHRIS CROKER (LURITJA)
Managing Director, Impact Investment Partners
We’re saying YES
This is work that is close to our hearts. Australian Communities Foundation has long supported First Nations communities.
This commitment was formalised in 2009 with the establishment of our Indigenous Donor Circle and further embedded in 2017 with Supporting Indigenous Self-Determination becoming one of our four key Impact Areas.
Our work in supporting Indigenous communities is now being guided by the leadership of a First Nations Advisory Group, who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to these conversations.
To date, our community has given more than $17 million to Indigenous communities, including $1 million raised through the Impact Fund for Indigenous-led initiatives such as:
- Dhadjowa Foundation: Establishment of grassroots organisation to support Indigenous families affected by deaths in custody
- Uluru Dialogue: Collective of First Nations leaders with the cultural authority of the Uluru Statement, progressing Voice, Treaty, Truth
- Raise the Age: Campaign to increase the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years old, led by Change the Record
- Towards Truth: Collaboration between the Uluru Dialogue and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre to develop truth-telling resources.
If you support the principle of First Nations communities having a say on the laws and policies that affect them, then we invite you to join us in saying YES to this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
ERIC BEECHER
Chair, Australian Communities Foundation
MAREE SIDEY
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Communities Foundation
Contact us
Got a question or want to discuss your support? Contact the team.
Download the Voices for Impact booklet
Prefer to read offline? The Voices for Impact booklet features all the key details of the Impact Fund’s 2023 Grant Round.
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Artwork: Walpa Winaka (To Burn & Leave) #8 by Wergaia/Wotjobaluk artist, Robby Wirramanda, courtesy of The Torch.
Artist statement: “Burning the land removes toxins and growth inhibitors, which in turn allows our country to regenerate and remain healthy. We can use the same method in our lives, like a seasonal burn, to achieve the same outcome.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Australian Communities Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land and that is why supporting Indigenous self-determination is a key focus area for Australian Communities Foundation and the Impact Fund.