When CAGES Foundation started in 2009, our vision was ‘for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to have the opportunity to reach their full potential.’

The irony that we had no relationship with First Nations’ peoples or communities, but deemed this our vision, is not lost on us 15 years later.

CAGES Foundation acknowledge our historic practices have been at times problematic.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, our partners have been incredibly patient with us. We listen, learn, make mistakes and correct our failings. Each time doing and being better partners.

Over the years we’ve become more curious with how we question and challenge ourselves and the sector. Unpacking the ongoing impacts of colonisation, we’ve come to realise there are problems in philanthropy that need addressing.

It’s a highly judgemental system where people of wealth, privilege and power ask communities to present themselves through a deficit lens. A system that judges what success looks like. A system that demands complex applications and reporting systems. Meanwhile, only a small fraction of funds distributed from philanthropy in Australia reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled organisations.

We are shifting practices and granting systems. Our due diligence is aligned to values and informs decisions around who we want to fund. We do not take on a role of judgement.

“Funding applications are usually premised on your worst day; CAGES Foundation asks you what your best day could look like.” (Jen Wickens, Director of Learning Support, Awabakal Preschool)

CAGES Foundation has embarked on an intergenerational approach to disrupting philanthropy towards equitable funding practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Centering First Nations Voices in Philanthropy

We recognise First Nations’ power and wealth of culture, knowledge and connections has been passed down for 60 thousand years, living harmoniously with and caring for lands, waters and sky.

CAGES Foundation is shifting its mindset from deficit to strength-based. From assumptions around inherent risk, to recognising Aboriginal organisations are best placed for investment as they represent and are accountable to their community. From a western lens, which is disempowering, to respecting and amplifying First Nations’ ways of being, knowing and doing.

CAGES Foundation are investing in First Nations people and community organisations with autonomy.

CAGES Foundation is working with Kowa Collaboration to develop community led methods of Understanding, Measuring, Evaluation and Learning (UMEL) approach which empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the knowledge holders and experts whose voices CAGES listens to, is guided by, and amplifies through our spheres of influence.

“CAGES listens deeply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners who determine the rules of engagement, and they respond in ways that are meaningful and relevant to each organisation and community. CAGES understand their privileged position in philanthropy, and ability to influence and accelerate opportunities as determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.” (Skye Trudgett, CEO, Kowa Collaboration).

It’s about putting values into practice, providing autonomy and agency for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and for us to be held to account in the process.

Empowering First Nations Led Economies

CAGES Foundation funds through a social justice lens. Economic empowerment, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wealth distribution and creation is critical to addressing the impacts of colonisation.

We have made it a priority to contribute to a First Nations led economy. This includes support for Indigenous led philanthropic vehicles and First Nations owned and led entities who are reclaiming and creating wealth opportunities in their communities.

“CAGES Foundation aligned with the purpose of First Australians Capital to back First Australians’ cultural, creative and economic strength to become full, free agents in driving our own economic futures. CAGES Foundation’s funding was completely unrestricted allowing us self-determination in our work as a catalyst for radical change in investment markets.” (Brian Wyborn, Managing Partner, First Australians Capital)

We are redistributing wealth to be determined by First Nations’ people who are the experts with knowledge, skills and wisdom to know what is best for their communities.

“Culture is critical to the future. Our culture has been the foundation for thousands of years prior to European arrival and is still there 250 years later. Solutions to keeping culture alive and our people strong and resilient has to come from us. We have the skills, knowledge and ability to use our culture in today’s society and economy to take our people forward. These opportunities will be realised with investment in Indigenous people and organisations.”(Peter Cooley, CEO, First Hand Solutions)

We believe investing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations will lead to sustainable, robust and effective systems within their communities.

We believe our accountability to our partners is a critical and constant

process of listening, learning and evolution.

We believe we must hold the sector to account by using our sphere of influence to disrupt the power and practice of philanthropy.