Aboriginal Investment NT grants boost community projects
Aboriginal Investment Northern Territory approved 14 projects through the first round of its Community Impact and Innovation Grants - an $11.1m investment targeted at First Nations communities.
The grant supports initiatives in health and wellbeing, education and digital access, economic empowerment, culture and language preservation and community healing. The projects will be delivered across five NT regions - Top End, East Arnhem, Big Rivers, Barkly and Central Australia.
This includes Yirrkala, Groote Eylandt, Gapuwiyak, Daly River, Palmerston, Kybrook, Alice Springs, Weemol, Urapuntja Homelands, Lajamanu Community, Kalkaringi community, Yarralin community, Timber Creek,
Kalano, Melville Island and Darwin.
Aboriginal organisations and communities designed and proposed each project, in what Aboriginal Investment NT said “ensured local ownership, cultural relevance and sustainability”.
Eligible communities were invited to apply for funds ranging from $300,000 to $1m. Successful applicants were approved through an in-depth review by the Aboriginal Investment NT board.
Aboriginal Investment NT chief executive Nigel Browne said the “strong demand and quality of applicants” led the organisation to increase the first-round budget from $10m to $11.1m.
“These grants represent much more than financial support - they represent trust in Aboriginal leadership, belief in local solutions, and investment in a future defined by self-determination, cultural strength and community prosperity,”
Mr Browne said. “We know the best outcomes happen when Aboriginal people shape the solutions that affect their lives.
“The Community Grants Program contributes to building that future. We look forward to supporting more projects when the next round opens in early 2026.”
Aboriginal Investment NT also offers Community Quick Response Grants of up to $10,000 for one-off events and cultural activities. “Selfdetermination remains at the heart of Aboriginal Investment NT's work and is the key to Aboriginal prosperity and wellbeing,” Mr Browne said.
“When Aboriginal people make decisions about the issues that impact their lives, better outcomes are achieved.
“This is the future we are working towards, and our grants programs are critical to that journey.”
Thomas McLean, The NT News, September 12 2025