Woor-Dungin, a Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering relationships between Indigenous organisations and the philanthropic sector, has been chosen as one of this year's Bank Australia Customer Community Grant recipients.

The $20,000 grant will help contribute to Woor-Dungin's ongoing efforts to dismantle the cultural and other barriers that hinder Aboriginal communities from accessing philanthropic funding.

Established in 2004, Woor-Dungin, meaning 'share' in the language of the Gunnai people of south-eastern Victoria, initially served as a capacity-building training program designed to educate Aboriginal organisations on accessing philanthropic support.

Over time, it evolved into a community-led model for collaboration between Indigenous organisations, philanthropic and pro-bono partners, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Naomi Murphy, Chair of Woor-Dungin and a Wakka Wakka / Gungarri woman, underscored the significance of establishing enduring connections between Indigenous organisations and the philanthropic sector saying "It's important to build lasting relationships between Indigenous organisations and the philanthropic sector so that philanthropic funding can better address community needs."

The funding from Bank Australia's Customer Community Grant program will facilitate a series of forums organised by Woor-Dungin, specifically designed to enhance the capacity and skills of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in Victoria.

These forums will offer training on areas such as grant writing, acquittals, and project evaluation for funding applications.

Bank Australia dedicates up to 4% of its annual after-tax profit to creating a positive impact, having already provided close to $300,000 in grants to 16 different organisations in 2023.

Woor-Dungin's selection as a grant recipient reflects the bank's commitment to advancing First Nations economic empowerment and reconciliation.

In addition to its grant-funded activities, Woor-Dungin offers a range of resources to facilitate a decolonised approach to philanthropic engagement with First Nations peoples.

One notable resource they have developed is the "Decolonising Wealth, Cultural Audit Toolkit" workshop, created and led by Indigenous experts.

These resources contribute to the broader mission of Woor-Dungin, aiming to create a more inclusive and equitable philanthropic landscape for First Nations communities.