A 'historic' gathering of the country's Indigenous philanthropic sector will aim to shape the future of the sector.

The inaugural First Nations-led National Philanthropy Conference comes to Naarm in April.

Founded by Kuku Yulangi and Torres Strait Islander man John Harding in 2021, Barmal Bijiril's Blak Lounge Room project began as a means to bring First Nations people working in philanthropy together as a support structure and now works to make the sector more culturally-inclusive with greater representation.

Early on, monthly online meetings grew to include 18 people from 17 organisations. The group became incorporated in 2022.

Two years later, Western Australian-based charity Minderoo Foundation asked Mr Harding if Barmal Bijiril had interest in running a conference intended to iron out what a national body could look like.

Minderoo staff were early members of The Blak Lounge Room.

"I noticed, through word of mouth, there seemed to be a really high attrition rate in the philanthropy sector for First Nations staff, and often it was due to culturally unsafe workplaces and a lack of cultural understanding and isolation," Mr Harding told National Indigenous Times of The Blak Loung Room's origin.

Conversations about a national body were first discussed soon after.

Mr Harding feels its well overdue in the world of philanthropy others stop leading the conversation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

An inaugural First Nations-led conference promises to be "really historical", he said, handing the mic over to Indigenous people with the experience and expertise.

"They talk a lot about us, you know, but there's not a lot of us doing the talking," he said.

Philanthropy Australia's first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Funders Reporting Survey (published in 2025) found 1.5 per cent of a total $12.1 billion in philanthropic giving in the 2022-2023 financial year - or $179.9 million - went to projects aimed to benefit Indigenous people.

Within this figure, $111.1m of this was received by Indigenous-led and controlled organisations.

The Productivity Commission's 2024 Future foundations for giving Inquiry report recommended the establishment of an independent organisation 'to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and philanthropic networks".

Mr Harding believes that opportunity and leadership is already in the room.

He adds, with a connected network and clear vision shared across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals, with ownership over their efforts not in Canberra, but in their hands, priorities for impact can be decided.

"The conference is the beginning of building bridges. It's about building those bridges between our community, our dreams and aspirations and the philanthropic sector, but in a way where we actually control our voice, and we determine what it is that we think should be prioritised," Mr Harding said.

"And that comes from having a democratically-elected national body, not a government-appointed (one)...from the grassroots up.

"That's what we're going to talk about at the conference."

Additional key outcomes are slated as a list of recommendations and national initiatives to take to the federal government and philanthropic workforce.

That is, The Blak Louge Room's response to the Productivity Commission's recommendations.

Possible establishment of more Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisations have also been raised.

"Our reporting will go beyond traditional compliance metrics. While we will provide detailed data and outcomes that meet government requirements, we will also prioritise story-based evidence - the voices and experiences of communities impacted by the work of Indigenous-led organisations," Mr Harding said.

A national body won't just advise on money distribution, Mr Harding hopes, "but will transform the culture of giving".

The conference is also a chance for the broader sector to listen and learn about thoughts and opinions shared by First Peoples, Mr Harding added.

With funding from Minderoo and The Ross Trust, registration costs have been kept to a maximum $1000 and less for smaller, not-for-profit and First Nations organisations.

The three-day conference program was released last week. Yoorrook Justice Commissioner Travis Lovett, brain health, young people and families non-profit Yiliyapinya cheif executive Sharyl Batchelor, cultural knowledge system and wellbeing registered charity Firesticks's Rachel Steffensen, First Nations Foundation chair Ian Hamm, Koorie Youth Council and Mr Harding are among speakers and panel members.

Our Warrior: The Story of Robbie Thorpe will also have a screening.

Over 20 philanthropic bodies are registered so far.

It's set for April 7-9 at the Pullman On the Park in East Melbourne.

Principally, the ultimate goal to come out of it is self-determination.

"When Indigenous organisations and communities have the autonomy to set their own agendas, decide how funds are used, and evaluate outcomes on their own terms, philanthropy becomes a tool for empowerment rather than dependency," Mr Harding said.

"A national body could amplify Indigenous-led initiatives, ensuring they receive sustained investment - not just one-off grants. It would create visibility, strengthen capacity, and enable communities to design solutions that are culturally grounded and enduring.

"Anyone that works in the philanthropic sector who says they believe in self-determination for First Nations people should be registering for this historical conference."

He added it's not only Indigenous communities who will benefit from First Nations protocols and knowledge being embedded into philanthropic practice - the whole sector serves to benefit.