Charities helping Aboriginal boys and girls

Clontarf Foundation

Since being established in 2000, the Clontarf Foundation has grown to have annual revenue of $47.4 million and 359 employees, making it Western Australia‘s ninth largest charity, according to the BNiQ database. 

Founded by Gerard Neesham, it uses the passion that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys have for football to attract and retain them at school and support their personal development. The foundation had a record 6,125 participants in its program across
Australia last year, including 575 boys
who completed year 12.

The Graham Polly Farmer Foundation

Named after the legendary Western Australian footballer, the foundation started in 1997 in the Pilbara with 23 students. It now has more than 1,800 students enrolled in 49 primary and secondary programs across the country.

Its academic enrichment programs empower Aboriginal students to complete school and move into successful post-school pathways, including university, direct employment or apprenticeships.

The Girls Academy

Founded by Olympian and champion basketballer Ricky Grace in 2004, The Girls Academy is run by charity group Role Models and Leaders Australia. It develops and empowers Aboriginal girls through leadership training, mentoring, sport and extra-curricular programs. 

The academy aims to create an environment within schools where the girls receive the support they need. In 2018, it had 2,750 girls enrolled full-time across 46 academies.

Glass Jar Australia

Established in 2015 as the charity arm of Netball WA, Glass Jar Australia uses netball to boost school attendance and support the development of Aboriginal girls. There are more than 260 students engaged in its Shooting Stars program across six delivery sites – Derby, Meekatharra, Wiluna, Carnarvon, Halls Creek and Mullewa.