26. First Nations Foundation
First Nations Foundation (FNF) is an Indigenous-led organisation committed to advancing the economic prosperity of First Nations people. See their Smart50 rank.
Revenue: $4.3 million
Growth: 54%
Founder: Paul Briggs
Head office: Melbourne, VIC
Year founded: 1999
Employees: 16
Industry: Non-Profit Organisation
Website: firstnationsfoundation.org.au
How First Nations Foundation started
The country’s only Indigenous financial education provider, First Nations Foundation (FNF) is an Indigenous-led organisation committed to advancing the economic prosperity of First Nations people. It does this by enabling access to culturally relevant resources and information to help achieve financial empowerment. The organisation’s flagship program, My Money Dream, has reached more than 3000 individuals both online and face-to-face. Its world-class outreach programs have helped reconnect First Nations people with more than $26 million in superannuation, returning control to Indigenous communities.
Growth
To date, the FNF team – alongside representatives from the financial services industry, non-government organisations and government agencies – has travelled to 25 communities across Australia and assisted thousands of individuals with their financial needs. The Foundation is also dedicated to driving systemic change within the financial services sector. Earlier this year, it hosted the first Indigenous-led First Nations Super Summit. This brought together community members and industry professionals to address barriers faced by First Nations people in accessing and managing their superannuation.
Where to next
FNF has a 10-year plan and a clear set of goals to significantly expand its impact. These include delivering FNF physical educational resources to 250 communities, providing direct financial literacy training to 90 communities, and guiding 50 communities through its On Country program. This has been designed to teach external professionals working on the ground in community organisations and those in financial wellbeing roles how to deliver FNF initiatives to First Nations communities in a culturally safe way.
