Waalitj Foundation has won Not For Profit/Charity of the Year for improving opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
Waalitj Foundation has won Not For Profit/Charity of the Year at the WA Business Awards 2024 (formerly RISE) for improving opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
Enhancing cultural leadership across community has been a core focus for the Lathlain-based Indigenous business since its inception in 2005.
Waalitj Foundation has engaged more than 60,000 First Nations people across Australia, delivering 15 unique programs to provide education, employment, and business opportunities.
Along its journey, the foundation has transformed from a three-person team offering just one program to a much larger operation employing 130 staff.
Of those employees, 75 per cent are Indigenous, while the company board is comprised of 50 per cent Indigenous members.
Increasing First Nations representation is a key focus for the foundation in its efforts to build capacity for individuals, families, and communities.
Reflecting this target within its internal operations, Waalitj Foundation fast-tracks applications from Indigenous Australians for its own job openings.
In addition to helping jobseekers attain employment, the not for profit supports children attending school and assists community members establish and sustainably grow their businesses.
In 2020, the foundation opened an Indigenous business and employment hub in Burswood to deliver in-house business coaching to empower First Nations business owners.
Waalitj Hub has assisted 522 clients over four years.
Waalitj Foundation’s first program rolled out almost 20 years ago using a fly-in, fly-out model to facilitate mentor visits.
This model has evolved to employing local people living in those communities, who possess invaluable familiarity and understanding of the area and its inhabitants.
This shift not only increased employment opportunities for locals, it improved the quality of support and role-modelling services provided to program participants.
Waalitj Foundation connects with local stakeholders and service providers to deliver its programs as a member of consortiums.
Its priority is to share knowledge with the best interests of First Nations top-of-mind, resulting in collaborative and culturally appropriate approaches to delivering thriving communities.
