$1.7M secured 83% success rate 6 months
The Problem
In April 2023, a remote Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) in the West Kimberley, approached me to secure funding for a range of organisational priorities.
This organisation had a clear vision for the future, and a range of fundable project ideas, but required a coordinated grants strategy to bring that vision to life. They were ready to switch from ad hoc grant writing, to a strategic approach to take their impact to the next level.
Through a series of planning conversations, we identified four strategic priorities:
Building a robust, exceptionally governed PBC
Developing organisational processes to support Cultural independence
Expanding the reach and capacity of this organisation's ranger team
Constructing a new multi-purpose centre to expand their operations
The challenge was not simply finding funding, but cautiously assessing and sequencing grants to ensure the organisation could withstand a period of significant growth without jeopardising internal systems and quality in delivery.
The Solution
With these four strategic priorities as our guide, I began by developing a funding proposal to the National Indigenous Australians Agency's (NIAA) PBC Capacity Building Fund. This would enable this organisation to build the skills and capabilities needed to expand their impact in such a way that would not compromise internal stability.
To create a competitive application I included:
An organisational program logic outlining this organisation's long-term vision, priorities and intended outcomes
A slide deck with visuals depicting how the intended priorities and key projects would work together to achieve key outcomes for their community and organisation.
With a clear strategic framework in place, we then mapped and prioritised additional funding opportunities aligned with WAC's broader objectives. Over the following 6 months, we pursued a targeted funding strategy across multiple government and philanthropic programs, including applying for opportunities through:
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)
Lotterywest
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)
Throughout the process, I worked collaboratively with this organisation to identify emerging opportunities, assess strategic fit and develop high-quality applications that showcased the organisation's strengths, achievements and future vision.
The Results
Within 6 months, we had secured over $1.7 million in funding across 5 successful applications to begin executing WAC's vision.
Beyond the funding secured, this process established a clear roadmap for organisational growth, strengthened relationships with key funders and created a pipeline of projects capable of delivering long-term benefits for both the organisation and broader community.
This success was built on a genuinely collaborative approach. This RNTBC brought deep Cultural knowledge, strategic vision and a strong commitment to community outcomes. My role was to translate those aspirations into a strategic plan which would then enable me to identify the right funding opportunities and write compelling applications that would highlight both this organisation's existing capabilities and commitment to achieving long-term impacts for the community.
The result was not simply securing funding, but establishing a strong foundation for sustainable growth and future investment.