Non-First Nations people benefited greatly from colonisation, but First Peoples’ were marginalised. Every Australian deserves a stable early life, a good education, secure work and housing. Many miss out, especially First Peoples’ who also face racist individuals and institutions. Too many youth end up in the justice system.
Together we can help to turn this around.
Who we are
We are a loose knit and growing group of families and individuals who are attracted to the concept of giving back to the First Peoples of Australia.
Some of us are descendants of wealthy colonists, but also of indentured servants and convicts who took part in the early settlement and dispossession. Others are recent immigrants from Vietnam and other countries.
We all feel some sense of obligation, especially as together we have the financial capacity to make a lasting difference.
Settler Families Giving Back (SFGB) began with two individuals Jim and Sandra (see founders story). In 2023, they began their own trust fund with Australian Communities Foundation (ACF), which makes social and environmental giving easy and impactful.
Settler Families Giving Back would like to acknowledge our partners and supporters. It is through your generosity and commitment that we are able to continue this important work.
Support for others to become involved
The founders have set up the infrastructure to make it easy for other families to join in -
an optional separate page on this website for each contributor that wishes to manage their own funds
use of the logo designed by First Nations man David Roe in their materials
simple processes for giving already established by Australian Communities Foundation
support from Woor-Dungin on engaging with First Nations organisations.
THE ORGANISATION
Dardi Munwurro - strong spirit
Dardi began with humble origins - running healing circles for First Nations men using family violence or at risk of doing so.
Dardi runs state-wide family violence support, healing and behaviour change programs for men, residential programs, and youth services.
Deloitte’s publicly available analysis has shown the men’s program is very effective; their new evaluation is due out soon.
Dardi's focus is on prevention of violence among young people as much as rehabilitation for adults.
The SFGB founders will match contributions with up to $20,000
Supporting a 2026 project
We would love you to join us in supporting a major project this year.
We’re aiming bigger now that the model of Settler Families Giving Back has proven itself with small projects.
FUNDING NEED
Revitalising Aunty Alma’s Gathering Place
Aunty Alma’s Gathering Place in Preston is the heart of the community, both for allies and Mob alike.
Twice a week, First Nations and all allies are welcomed at smoking ceremonies. The gathering place supports many other events and community markets. Community actually happens here! Aunty Alma’s provides a safe haven for elders, youth and locals to gather, eat and yarn year-round. Events here are integral to Dardi’s programs for young men.
Your investment will help fund works to prevent flooding of the marquee in which events are held. With the basics in place, the gathering place can meet its potential with more events, more people and more community.
Contribute to revitalising Aunty Alma’s
Contribute funds now.
Make a tax-deductible donation to the fund set up to supporting the Dardi project.
Go to the giving platform specifically for this project (SFGB - Dardi) with Australian Communities Foundation.
The SFGB founders have kick-started this fund by transferring $10,000 from their own family fund, which you may wish to support (as an alternative to the Aunty Alma’s project).
Seek more information (via the contact page).
Chat with us directly .
Join a yarn run by Woor-Dungin to delve deeper into our approach, projects we support, aims of the Dardi project, and culturally respectful relationships.
WHAT GUIDES US
Relationship before transaction
Trust is built over time, through presence and consistency. Money follows from that.
Follow the lead
SFGB follows the lead of First Nations organisations, which define the work and the terms of the engagement.
Woor-Dungin assists with cultural stewardship.
Long-term commitment
One off or short funding rounds make very little difference. SFGB is designed for the long run.
Minimum burden
Reporting requirements can extract time and energy from community work. SFGB keeps its expectations as light as possible. We learn where money has impact by listening to the organisations we fund and to the stories of the people our funds reach.
Accountability
Our funding is based on strong and trusting relationships with First Nations organisations. Woor-Dungin helps to build these relationships and ensures cultural appropriateness. The funds are managed and invested by Australian Communities Foundation and disbursed when required by the fund holder.
SFGB is not just about money, it is about new relationships between settlers and First Nations people. We’re creating new ways to fund essential projects and organisations that make a lasting difference with visible outcomes.
2023 and 2024
$10,000 Victorian Women's Trust to fund the Kitchen Table Conversations component of the Voice Referendum
Projects already funded
2024
Sponsorship of three Indigenous sporting teams - male basketball, female netball, and a mixed gender AFL team.
Literacy for Life to support ongoing adult literacy programs.
2025 and 2026
Support for art projects, including Uncle Col Clark’s inaugural art exhibition at Koori Heritage Trust
Support for a Reconciliation Week BBQ at Dardi Munwurro
Support for a project at the Gurwidj Neighbourhood House women's group, which uses craft activities for social interaction and art therapy. In 2026 wheat heat/cooler bags will be made and given to Elders during NAIDOC Week. Allies from Darebin Solidarity with First Peoples will help with training in use of sewing machines and generally participate in making up the wheat bags. SFGB is funding the purchase of materials and catering for Mob and allies throughout the project.
The SFGB approach was initiated by Jim Crosthwaite and Sandra Edmonds in 2023. It was always their aim for other families and individuals to become involved.
Jim grew up on his family's dairy farm in the Kiewa Valley near Albury-Wodonga. He felt a security still denied to many First Nations people. The farm was held by the family for over 120 years, after the First Nations custodians were dispossessed.
Sandra’s matrilineal family traces to the earliest European settlement of Western Australia. In South Australia, her mother was a close friend of Gladys Elphick, a well-known Elder. That friendship, forged through shared working-class struggle, shaped Sandra's understanding of the difference in the disadvantages First Nations people have compared to her own.
In 2023, Jim and Sandra began their own trust fund with Australian Communities Foundation (ACF), which makes social and environmental giving easy and impactful. Following the referendum, strong personal relationships were developed with First Nations people at Dardi Munwurro and other First Nations projects like Gurwidj Neighbourhood House.
Then in 2025, momentum grew after Jim and Sandra spoke about the SFGB model at a two day workshop run by First Nations-led Woor-Dungin, which brought together philanthropists and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Together Jim and Sandra made a submission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission and have pledged to support Treaty.
Founders and the SFGB approach
Learn more
Talk to us about options like:
Contribute funds now.
Make a tax-deductible donation to the fund set up with ACF for the specific purpose of supporting the Dardi project.
How to set up an ACF fund
Seek more information.
Chat with us. Come with us to a smoking ceremony at Aunty Alma’s.
Join a yarn run by Woor-Dungin to delve deeper into our approach, projects we support, aims of the Dardi project, and culturally respectful relationships.