Melbourne, June 18: First Nations Foundation (FNF) – the Indigenous-led, not-for-profit that promotes financial literacy – has been announced as one of four recipients of funding from the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to deliver Covid-19 support for women.
FNF has designed an online educational series in collaboration with Indigenous financial experts and female community leaders, to create a culturally relevant and highly engaging online masterclass of money skills training.
Storytelling and experiences shared by other Indigenous women will form the foundation of this series, underpinned by proven money management techniques such as setting goals, budgeting, reducing spending leaks and learning about financial products and services.
While the series is being developed in response to COVID-19, it’s a scalable model with potential long-term benefits for Indigenous women and communities nationwide.
The initiative will also deliver access to FNF’s My Money Dream digital financial literacy training to 700 Indigenous women. My Money Dream was launched in September as a world-first online financial literacy program designed and delivered by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people.
Research conducted into FNF training indicates that for each person trained, 5.6 family/community members will benefit through sharing of knowledge. This means that 700 women trained in My Money Dream have the potential to reach 3920 Indigenous community members.
“FNF has a proven record of delivery, having developed the world’s first digital financial literacy program developed for Aboriginal people by Aboriginal people in 2019. We have also reconnected $24 million in super with 1600 Indigenous people across 21 communities,” FNF CEO, Phil Usher, said.
“This announcement is welcome given we have long said that the best outcomes for Indigenous Australians are achieved when they are helped by Indigenous-led organisations. We are grateful that the Morrison government and Minister for Women Marise Payne have enabled us to deliver this new initiative to Indigenous women, who in turn will help their family, friends, and communities.”
The other recipients of funding are Beam Australia, Inspiring Rare Birds, and Local Government Professionals Australia.
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced FNF to cancel its award winning Big Super Day Out roadshow for 2020, and the charity has pivoted to launch new online products and services. Further announcements on these initiatives will be made in July.
For further information, please contact:
Keith Barrett
Reverb Media
P: 0415 751100
E: keith@reverb-media.com.au
