The Futureproof stream supports a series of strategic, collaborative initiatives funded over the FY22-26 period, which invest in the future capacity and sustainability of Australiaโs for-purpose sector and its leadership. Focused on investing in innovative solutions, future focused philanthropy is centred on long-term systemic change.
new approvals
initiatives supported
of funding towards First Nations initiatives and employment
total Futureproof funding approved and distributed
The figures in the infographics above refer only to funding approved and distributed in the 2025/26 financial year.
A New Approach (ANA) is Australiaโs national arts and culture think tank. It works to shape and inform the views and actions of public policy decision-makers and key opinion leaders to build evidence-led policy settings that position culture and creativity as core drivers of national advantage and flourishing people. ANA believes that Australiaโs place as a cultural powerhouse can be secure, with an arts and culture system that delivers for all Australians by 2035.
As a think tank, ANA undertakes leading, independent and accessible research and analysis that examines the role of arts, culture and creativity in Australian society and identifies opportunities for positive change. Foundational and ongoing projects include The Big Picture, which analyses trends in government investment in arts and cultural activities and was recently updated to cover data from 2007-08 to 2023-24; and the โMiddle Australiaโ series, which presents perspectives of everyday Australians towards cultural and creative participation, with a focus on politically unaligned voters in marginal electorates.
Last year, in the context of a federal election and forthcoming national cultural policy consultation, ANA published its landmark Position Paper, Imagine 2035, detailing actions governments can take now to create a robust arts, culture and creativity system that delivers social and economic benefits to all Australians. They also released two in-depth Insight Reports, two further policy papers, including analysis on cultureโs role in social cohesion, and two Factsheets covering productivity and tax reform. Alongside this, ANA had 43 meetings with arts and culture portfolio Ministers, Shadow Ministers, and Advisors, and 58 cross-portfolio policy touchpoints through submissions, briefings and consultations. By the end of 2025, Australia reached an unprecedented milestone: cultural policy was in place in every state and territory, alongside federal and local frameworks.
Fittingly, ANAโs innovation and impact were recognised in the global list of 100 Think Tanks to Watch 2025. ANA was the only think tank focused on culture and creativity on the list, one of only three Australian organisations, and one of 15 from the anglophone world.
ANAโs efforts are guided by a Board of Directors, chaired by Rupert Myer AO, and supported by an advisory Reference Group and a national staff. The TFFF is proud of its role as a founding funder in 2018, together with the Sidney Myer Fund and Keir Foundation. Today, ANA remains wholly resourced by a collaboration of 14 Philanthropic Partners to safeguard its crucial non-partisan position and credibility.
ANAโs strategy for the next five years focuses on embedding culture and creativity across jurisdictions and portfolios, so they can be leveraged for Australiaโs economic resilience, social cohesion, productivity and global competitiveness.
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A New Approach (ANA) is Australiaโs leading arts and culture think tank, independently funded by 14 Philanthropic Partners. It works to shape and inform the views and actions of public policy decision-makers and key opinion leaders to secure evidence-led policy settings that position culture and creativity as core drivers of national advantage and flourishing people. ANAโs influence is apparent in Revive, Australiaโs first cultural policy in a decade. The think tank recommends a whole-of-government, cross-portfolio and systems-based approach to cultural policy to help build an arts, culture, and creativity system that delivers for all Australians.
Gladstone Region engaging in action Together (GRT) is a community-led, place-based initiative and one of ten Stronger Places, Stronger People initiatives, overseen by the Australian Government in partnership with state and territory governments. As the resourced backbone team, GRT supports community-led priority setting, gathers and shares community voice and data to inform decision-making, and works alongside government, services and community to progress the locally designed and owned action plan. Through its early years focus on 'healthy start to lifeโ opportunities, the region is building readiness for future integrated hub endeavours to improve early childhood development and wellbeing.
Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT) is the intermediary between the Bininj people of Central and West Arnhem Land and philanthropy. It is a shared resource for eight First Nations community-controlled organisations that cover 50,000 square kilometres of land and sea Country in the NT. Karrkad Kanjdji Trust is now supporting nine organisations, including the newly established Homeland School Company. TFFF funds are supporting the Homeland School Company to establish bi-cultural educational opportunities in the Djelk Indigenous Protection Zone.
The Brain Health in Queensland Schools initiative utilises schools as a context to optimise child development and promote mental health and wellbeing. A key element of this initiative is piloting the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative developed by Murdoch Childrenโs Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne in partnership with Victorian schools and key stakeholders in 2019. MHiPS involves the pairing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator with an evidence-based training program and ongoing community of practice to support student health and wellbeing. Following the pilot of the MHiPS with nine schools in Mount Isa in 2025, MCRI has continued to strengthen the capability and capacity of Mount Isa schools in Phase 2. Scoping activities have also commenced in the Darling Downs South West region to test the model in small school contexts as part of co-designing a scalable MHiPS prototype for Queensland.
In Phase 1 of the Brain Health in Queensland Schools initiative, the Queensland Brain Institute co-designed a Resources Evidence Hub and learning episodes for teachers in an effort to translate neuroscience evidence into pragmatic tools for Queensland educators. In Phase 2, the Child Health Research Centre (CHRC) continued this work engaging with Independent Schools Queensland and the Catholic Diocese in Rockhampton and Townsville. As part of the Brain Healthy Schools Project (BHSP), CHRC delivered a regional forum in Cairns targeting educators, academics and systems leaders. Together MHiPS and BHSP aims to deliver a full system response from the early years to universities, ensuring the future workforce is better equipped to provide wellbeing for learning.
Museums & Galleries Queensland (M&G Qld) is the peak body for the State's public museum and gallery sector, comprising more than 400 organisations spread across all 77 local government areas. This sector is managing critical skills gaps and acute workforce shortages, especially in regional areas, and intervention is required to ensure Queensland has qualified workers to accurately preserve and interpret history, encourage creative expression, stimulate critical thinking and debate, and deliver long-term community benefits. With the TFFF's support, M&G Qld will complete the scoping work required to determine its pathway towards becoming a Registered Training Organisation, offering accessible education and training pathways for current and prospective professionals and volunteers.
Queensland Kids Partnership (QKP) is a cross-sectoral coalition, intermediary, and catalyst, bringing together people and knowledge to benefit all children and young people across Queensland. QKPโs work is underpinned by โThe Nestโ, Australiaโs shared vision for the health, development, and wellbeing of all children and young people. This partnership has led to the creation of the Queensland Kids Funders Alliance, as smarter investment is one of the six key levers of the initiative.
The Queensland Places Network is the first of its kind in Australia. With Queensland Kids Partnership acting as the convening entity, this Network involves three delivery partners: Cape York Partnership, Gladstone Region engaging in action Together, and Logan Together. The vision of the Network is to strengthen the place-based ecosystem in Queensland through shared learning and strong relationships, whilst also working collectively to enable and sustain place-based system change. During its first year, the Network established its social infrastructure, delivered its first Breakthrough Innovation Group and attracted funding from seven philanthropic partners. This pioneering effort will be a national demonstration of the importance of collective efforts in improving outcomes for children and families in the places that need it the most.
Yothu Yindu Foundation develops economic opportunities for Yolลu through education, training, employment, enterprise, and personal and community development. Best known for its Garma Festival, Yothu Yindi Foundation plans to establish the Garma Institute. The Institute will be the first remote, Indigenous university where both learning and research will be centred around cultural knowing and doing. Staff will be appointed to develop a Yolลu knowledges curriculum, which will then be delivered at the Garma Institute to preserve and protect culture, develop local leadership and tertiary education and employment pathways. The Garma Institute is due to open in 2029.
Throughout this report a ^ symbol identifies an Indigenous-led organisation or agreement where TFFF funding has specifically benefitted Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
