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 Australia’s 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
total Futureproof funding approved and distributed
The figures in the infographics above refer only to funding approved and distributed in the 2024/25 financial year.
The TFFF was pleased to formally announce the launch of the Brain Health in Queensland Schools (BHiQS) strategic initiative in May 2025, in conjunction with its collaborators: the Queensland Department of Education, the Queensland Brain Institute at The University of Queensland, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the University of Melbourne, and Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership.
The BHiQS initiative has been designed to support students' wellbeing for learning and mental health, and to optimise brain development in Queensland schools. It will equip children and young people, their families, and teachers with the skills they need to improve the life trajectory of Queensland’s children and young people.
Part of the BHiQS initiative features the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne’s successful Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative. MHiPS is currently being rolled out across all Victorian primary schools with the support of the Victorian Department of Education, with evaluation findings showing sustained improvements in the capacity and capability of schools to recognise and respond to student mental health and wellbeing needs.
Support from TFFF has enabled the MHiPS team to collaborate with the Queensland Department of Education to co-design and pilot a version of this initiative tailored to the needs of Queensland schools, families, and young people. Eight of the nine schools in the Mount Isa Precinct have agreed to participate in the pilot of this groundbreaking initiative, and there is growing interest from other school clusters across Queensland.
BHiQS was officially launched in October 2024 by the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI). A regional launch occurred in Townsville in June 2025, including a showcase of best practice and dedicated time for co-design. Attendees included principals, teachers, pre-service teachers, health practitioners, community organisations, and academics. The Department of Education, Catholic Education and Independent Schools were represented at senior levels, and all spoke to the importance of ‘wellbeing for learning’. Insights from the Townsville event will contribute to the Queensland Brain Institute’s ongoing work co-designing a workforce development package with Independent Schools Queensland and regional Catholic schools, which includes guidance for schools when selecting existing evidence-based neuro-informed programs.
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A New Approach (ANA) is Australia’s leading arts and culture think tank, independently funded by 13 philanthropic partners. Its work informs discussion, inspires public policy, and brings together decision makers and industry leaders around evidence-led ideas and pathways for pragmatic action. ANA was influential in Revive, Australia’s first cultural policy in a decade, and is encouraging multi-partisan and cross-portfolio support for Australian arts and culture.
Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (TQKP) is a cross-sectoral coalition, intermediary, and catalyst, bringing together people and knowledge to benefit all children and young people across Queensland. In FY2024-25, TQKP launched its Phase Three strategy with a bold ambition to transform outcomes within a generation. TQKP’s work is underpinned by ‘The Nest’ – Australia’s 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 Thriving Places Queensland Network is the first of its kind in Australia. With Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (TQKP) as a state-based place-based initiative, Queensland is well placed to establish this Network. Its vision is to enable and sustain place-based system change through strong networks, shared learning, community-driven action and coordinated investment. The Network is organised around three key objectives:
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. This initiative has also been supported by other Queensland Kids Funders Alliance and Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children philanthropic partners.
