Overview
We are looking to our peer network members to step up and drive the next sessions. Based on the First Nations Funders Network Membership Survey opened earlier this year, the following topics came out as the top themes that the peer network members wish to prioritise.
Topic (a) cultural governance and representation
- Building robust governance structures that centre First Nations voices (beyond advisory roles—embedding in boards, investment committees, grantmaking)
- Navigating the power balance: ensuring decisions are FN-led and that cultural load does not fall disproportionately on First Nations partners
Topic (b) self-determination and Indigenous-led funds
- Showcasing examples and lessons from Indigenous-led funds—how they operate, what success looks like, and how non-Indigenous orgs can collaborate without perpetuating extractive practices
- How to support economic and democratic inclusion under First Nations' stewardship
Please contact our First Nations Funders Network (internal) Lead, Ollie Hanson <ollie@philanthropy.org.au> if you would like to drive either topic.
Thursday 29 October
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm 11:00am - 12:30pm AEDT (ACT, NSW, TAS, VIC)
- 12:00pm - 2:30pm ACDT (SA)
- 11:30am - 1:00pm AEST (QLD)
- 11:00am - 12:30pm ACST (NT)
- 9:30am - 11:00am AWST (WA)
Online event
Details will be provided after the registration is submitted.
Audience
This event is for Philanthropy Australia First Nations Funders Network members only.
We welcome Philanthropy Australia Engage (individual/ organisation) and Impact members who are already funding First Nations-led organisations and communities to consider opting in to the Terms of Reference (ToR) to join the First Nations Funders Network. You can commit to the Terms of Reference through this opt-in page.
Not at this membership level? Please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.
Speakers
More details to be released.
Peer Network Chair
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Michelle Steele - Chief First Nations Officer, Paul Ramsay Foundation
Michelle is a Kamilaroi/Gomeroi Yinarr from Moree, NSW, and is the Chief First Nations Officer at the Paul Ramsay Foundation and is a Board Member of Hands Across Canberra. Prior to joining PRF, Michelle worked in the public sector for more than 18 years, leading in key policy areas delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in health and aged care. |
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Michelle has represented Australia at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She is also an inaugural Fellow of the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program, an Indigenous-led lifelong collaborative fellowship program and platform for systemic change.
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Peer Network Lead
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Ollie Hanson, Director, Engagement (WA), Philanthropy Australia
Ollie is passionate about leveraging philanthropy to drive positive social impact and leads Philanthropy Australia’s engagement efforts in Western Australia and South Australia.
With over 15 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, Ollie’s career spans major gift fundraising at the University of Melbourne, international grantmaking and partnerships at the Minderoo Foundation, and corporate sustainability at Bankwest.
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He is deeply committed to First Nations self-determination and played a pivotal role in establishing the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program in 2016, a groundbreaking initiative that fosters Indigenous-led social change across Australia, Aotearoa, and the Pacific Islands.
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Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership.
