Grants

The IDA Foundation is a philanthropic fund created by desert rangers for desert rangers. It exists as a program of the IDA. It was established in response to feedback from IDA Members and Indigenous ranger groups seeking flexible, untied and locally driven funding beyond existing wage-based programs. 

Its purpose is to help where it is needed most by enabling tailored grant-based support and prioritising Indigenous led aspirations for Culture, Community and Country.  

The IDA Foundation funds Indigenous led land management activities which provide social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes in the Australian desert. 

Successful projects also empower ranger teams with resources aligned with their vision and leadership.  

The Foundation draws on a range of philanthropic contributions bringing together philanthropists and administrative support from the IDA team. Philanthropists include individuals, family trusts and other companies that wish to elevate Indigenous self-determination, desert culture and land management priorities.

To be eligible, applicants must either be an IDA member or an Indigenous organisation, service provider, Native Title Representative Body (NTRB) or Native Title Service Provider (NTSP), which undertakes or assists their constituents or clients to undertake, Indigenous land management activities which aim to provide positive social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes in the Australian desert.

The IDA Foundation funds Indigenous led land management activities which provide social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes in the Australian desert.  

Applications tend to be focused in five priority areas: 

• Supporting desert culture. For example, intergenerational knowledge transfer, data sovereignty, climate resilience and storytelling on Country.
• Capacity development for desert rangers. For example, business development, planning, training, networking and peer to peer exchange.
• Infrastructure for desert rangers. For example, remote infrastructure, accessibility improvements and safe travel equipment.
• Looking after plants and animals. For example, threatened species recovery and two-way science.
• Right way fire initiatives. For example training, consultation, planning and implementing culturally informed desert fire management practices.

The IDA Foundation takes a supportive and collaborative approach with applicants. Our team works closely with applicants to co-develop strong proposals, reducing administrative burden and strengthening project design and outcomes. 

The process begins with a simple application form once the IDA has opened a grant round. Once submitted, the Foundation team undertakes a preliminary assessment to clarify project details such as budget requirements, permits, and access needs.  

Applications are then reviewed by an independent committee with no conflicts of interest, ensuring fair decisions and respecting cultural governance including that no individual can decide on another group’s country. For projects valued above $100,000, additional review and approval from the IDA Board is required. 

Following approval, the IDA Foundation offers wrap-around staff support to assist with project delivery, budgeting, and reporting, including Indigenous led evaluation of grant outcomes. 

For more information contact the IDA office on (08) 6336 0500 or foundation@indigenousdesertalliance.com

Between 2023-25, 15 grants were awarded with varying durations for completion. Flexible timelines will be set during contracting. Ongoing communication and support are part of the implementation process.

The IDA Foundation funds projects both small (for example return to country trips and ranger exchanges) and medium (for example infrastructure builds and technology improvements) in scale so long as they align with Indigenous led ranger priorities.  

Some recent grant examples include cultural site mapping with Elders, a remote ranger base build and a ranger program planning workshop.

Yes. The IDA Foundation offers early engagement to facilitate project ideas and strengthen applications. We work through project delivery, providing hands-on support with budgeting, reporting, and transparency. This not only minimises your administrative burden, it ensures funds are used efficiently when they hit the ground.

IDA Foundation works alongside each group to help set projects up for success. While we don’t run the roll-out for you, the IDA team will stay responsive and flexible if challenges come up or plans need adjusting, we’ll work with you to find solutions. Our focus is on empowering ranger teams and supporting them to deliver in a way that fits their own goals and pace.

Absolutely. Grantees receive culturally aligned and flexible funding that supports Indigenous desert community priorities. Through the IDA network, they benefit from capacity building and peer support, while gaining recognition and visibility for their Indigenous land management programs and leadership. With IDA team backing and streamlined administration, grantees can focus on achieving stronger on-ground impact.