Why Woor-Dungin was established
Beginning in 2004 as a capacity building training program for Aboriginal organisations to learn how to access philanthropic support, Woor-Dungin has grown into a living model for successful partnerships between Aboriginal organisations, philanthropic and pro-bono partners and a large number of skilled volunteers, several of whom are retirees, who make up the majority of the Woor-Dungin staff team.
Philanthropic grantmakers are increasingly aware of the need to build strong, respectful funding relationships with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, and a number of exciting initiatives towards achieving this are underway. In our role as Philanthropy Australia’s National Moderator for Indigenous Issues, it is clear to us that a number of funders are demonstrating an interest in sharing advice and learnings.
While there are some great examples emerging, Woor-Dungin believes that the Australian philanthropic sector could do more. Philanthropic organisations and individuals continue to need advice and guidance in their dealings with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to build better, stronger relationships. Indeed, a growing number of people we talk to support Woor-Dungin’s view that a fundamental change in approach is needed.
We continue to see instances of impersonal funding practices, onerous reporting requirements and frustrating application forms. This can be off-putting for some organisations, especially those that are small, with only a few staff, and can even lead to the abandonment of the process. Some funders continue to insist on tangible, easily measurable short-term outcomes only, instead of also considering programs whose outcomes cannot be easily or quickly delivered, such as advocacy, which are necessarily important to measure over a longer time frame to successfully address priority needs identified by communities.
Who We Are
Woor-Dungin is a not-for-profit organisation walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples toward self-determination.We get our mob the support they need, including funding from philanthropy and services from our probono partners. We unite people to achieve more than they could on their own.Woor-Dungin was set up because Victorian Aboriginal organisations have often had difficulty obtaining resources for important projects in their communities.We have a unique model. We ask our Aboriginal partners what they need and then work with them to find resources.We facilitate culturally respectful relationships with donors and pro bono supporters and encourage the development of contacts and skills.As a result of our work, our partners have accessed new funding, communities have made great progress, and even laws changed (the Victorian Spent Convictions Scheme).
What we do
Woor-Dungin means ‘share’ in the language of the Gunnai people of south-eastern Victoria, and sharing is the philosophy underpinning the Woor-Dungin model.
Woor-Dungin takes a community-development approach to create bridges between Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and philanthropy, building partnerships for change based on strong and trusting relationships and shared learning.
Read how we approach things differently:
What people are saying
"The role of Woor-Dungin has been pivotal in the establishment and development of Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association's Gathering Place since our opening.Willum Warrain is proud to be part of the "family" of Woor-Dungin and I commend this organisation which does so much for our mobs around Victoria to any potential supporters keen to see it flourish into the future.”
Peter Aldenhoven
Founder of Willum Warrain Gathering Place.
