Funded Organisations
As philanthropic funders we achieve our impact
through annual giving to environmental
organisations across Australia.
2026: Resilient Waterways and Thriving Coastlines
In 2026, NIC’s members supported the following eight organisations working to protect Australia’s inland waters and coastlines with a share of AU $2.25 million in untied core funding. This brings our cumulative total since 2024 to $5.8 million in support of 18 organisations.
Our continued focus on water builds on insights from previous funding rounds, recognising the scale and urgency of challenges facing Australia’s waterways, including climate change, long-term degradation, and over extraction. We have also sought to support ecosystems of organisations working in complementary ways on priority issues, including those engaged in the Murray-Darling Basin, and re-funded three organisations where additional support was considered critical.
Invasive Species Council
Since 2002, the Council has played a crucial role in protecting nature from invasive species – one of the biggest threats to Australian biodiversity. They are the only organisation working at a national systems level to advocate for stronger policy and programs protecting land, freshwater and marine ecosystems from harmful pests, weeds and diseases. They also work collaboratively to build capacity on this issue across the environmental sector.
“This core funding gives our leadership team the capacity to focus on the long-term strategy needed to build a sustainable and agile organisation, able to adapt where needed to best protect nature. It also allows us to invest in our greatest asset – our staff – through training and professional development, as well as in the technology required to strengthen and diversify our long-term fundraising streams.”
— Jack Gough, CEO
“My local conservation activities highlight the significant threat invasive plants and animals pose to nature. The Invasive Species Council’s approach – combining deep expertise with effective advocacy to drive change at both national and local levels – is impressive. We are pleased to support an organisation that directly tackles one of the most persistent threats facing Australia’s waterways and unique ecosystems.”
— William Crothers, NIC Director
Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations
MLDRIN represents the interests of First Nations peoples across the southern Murray-Darling Basin. Through advocacy, policy engagement and community leadership, they work to advance First Nations water justice, strengthen cultural connections to Country and ensure Indigenous voices are central to water governance and environmental decision-making. Current priorities include the First Cultural Flows for Cultural Economies program and the Water Act reform.
“The significance of this generous donation cannot be overstated. As the largest philanthropic contribution in MLDRIN’s history, it comes at a critical moment for First Nations water and environmental justice. Untied funding gives us the flexibility and confidence to respond to emerging priorities, strengthen our organisation and maximise our impact. This support represents hope for the future.”
— Karmen Jobling, Executive Officer
“For more than 25 years, MLDRIN has been a powerful collective voice for the Murray & Lower Darling Basin and the communities that depend on it. Their advocacy for environmental and cultural flows is critical at this pivotal time for Australia’s largest river system, and their deeply collaborative approach strengthens the work of many of our existing partners. As our Chair Jim Phillipson put it, funding MLDRIN was a “no brainer.”
— Ella Colley, NIC Director
Nature Conservation Council NSW
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has been working to advance stronger environmental policy and protections across the state since 1955. Their Revive Our Rivers campaign is poised to deliver strategic advocacy for the restoration of rivers and wetlands following decades of catchment degradation, river diversion, unsustainable water extraction and the growing impacts of climate change.
“This funding is truly transformational, taking our inland rivers campaign from being barely resourced to operating at full strength. We had a single staff member dedicated to this critical issue with almost no campaign budget. Now we are well positioned to deliver planned strategies and actions, building momentum and deepening our impact.”
— Jacqui Mumford, CEO
“We have long admired the breadth and impact of the Nature Conservation Council’s work to protect nature across New South Wales, and we are thrilled to support their increased focus on inland rivers. Healthy waterways are the lifeblood of the country and we are excited to support NCC’s work advocating for their restoration and long-term protection.”
— Michael Cahill and Rachel Honnery, NIC members
Soils for Life
Soils for Life supports Australian farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural practices that improve soil health, strengthen farm resilience and enhance environmental outcomes. Through research, education and peer-to-peer learning, the organisation highlights the critical connection between soil, water and nature, recognising healthy soils as the foundation of productive farms, healthy waterways and long-term sustainability of ecosystems.
“This funding enables us to think strategically about how to build on current momentum and respond to emerging opportunities. The result will be a stronger organisation, better positioned to scale its impact and help drive lasting systemic change in the way Australian agricultural landscapes are managed in partnership with nature.”
— Eli Court, CEO
“Agriculture has a major influence on the health of our waterways, and we were impressed by the potential cumulative impact of Soils for Life’s approach of working directly with farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture. They understand how to engage farmers in sustainable practices that build more resilient farms while supporting healthier landscapes and river systems for the long term.”
— Anna Wade, NIC member
Western Port Biosphere Reserve
Western Port Biosphere Reserve is an independent, science-based organisation working with communities towards a more sustainable future for the region. Established in 2003 and recognised under the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve model, it connects conservation, sustainable development and cultural values. Much of its work focuses on wetlands, coastlines and inland water stewardship, supporting landscape-scale environmental outcomes across the region.
“This support will help us strengthen partnerships across the UNESCO Biosphere to deliver coordinated, landscape-scale outcomes, building upon the momentum of our growth in recent years. Untied funding provides the flexibility to direct our efforts where they can achieve the greatest impact. The timing is critical, with the region facing increasing pressure from climate impacts, development and invasive species.”
— Mel Barker, CEO
“Western Port Biosphere Reserve’s work stands out for the way it brings together biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainable development across a landscape of great natural value on Melbourne’s urban fringe. We are particularly inspired by its collaborative, systems-level approach and its ability to combine science, partnerships and local stewardship to create impact beyond individual projects, supporting long-term, environmental change across the biosphere.”
— Jim Phillipson, NIC Chair
Organisations Refunded in 2026
Country Needs People
NIC members are proud to continue supporting Country Needs People in their long-standing leadership in strengthening land and sea Country management across Australia. CNP plays a nationally significant role, working with more than 50 Indigenous partner organisations and advocating to help secure ongoing government funding and support for Indigenous Ranger roles and the Indigenous Protected Area program.
“Flexible funding allows us to plan and develop longer term proactive and strategic projects combining on-ground support with advocacy. It enables us to tailor and align our efforts so they’re relevant to Indigenous group needs, while improving systemic responses of governments to Indigenous land and sea management.” — Patrick O’Leary, CEO
Environment Centre NT
Environment Centre NT plays a critical role in advocating for nature in one of Australia’s most environmentally significant regions, during increasingly challenging times. NIC members have refunded ECNT to support their efforts to work with communities across the Territory to protect the region’s unique biodiversity, including strengthening capacity to defend massive aquifer-fed rivers threatened by agribusiness, fracking and inadequate environmental laws.
“NIC’s untied, flexible, trust-based funding will make a huge difference to Environment Centre NT’s work to protect the Northern Territory’s magnificent free flowing rivers, pristine springs and ancient aquifers from unprecedented industrial scale agriculture, fracking and weak environment laws.This funding is particularly precious given how challenging it can be to raise funds for nature advocacy.” — Kirsty Howey, Executive Director
Murray Darling Conservation Alliance
The Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance was established in 2023 to coordinate advocacy, policy engagement and public awareness regarding the health of the Murray-Darling Basin on behalf of four state-based conservation groups. NIC members are continuing to support the Alliance at this critical time, as it advocates for nature and communities in the 2026 Basin Plan Review – a pivotal opportunity to strengthen protections for rivers, wetlands and floodplains across the Basin.
“This generous renewed funding has been a game-changer for us, enabling us to expand our team, and strengthen our capacity to respond to the current ‘once-in-20-years’ opportunity to secure the health of Australia’s largest river system, the Murray–Darling Basin. We are entering the new financial year from a position of strength as the Alliance transitions from a start-up to a fully established organisation.” — Anna Demant, Co National Director
