eNGO Portfolio
As philanthropic funders we achieve our impact
through annual giving to environmental
organisations across Australia.
Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling Basin is one of Australia’s most important and contested freshwater systems, covering more than one million square kilometres in south-east Australia, and making up about 14% of the nation’s total land area.
Its rivers, wetlands and floodplains are crucial to communities, ecosystems and local economies, and hold deep cultural significance for First Nations peoples. However, the Basin has suffered severe environmental degradation driven by over-extraction, irresponsible land-use practices, exacerbated by climate change. With the Murray Darling Basin Plan currently under review, there is a once in a decade opportunity to make the changes needed to restore river health.
Nature Impact Collective supports organisations working across the region to strengthen the health of the Basin, influence water policy and planning, and ensure First Nations knowledge and leadership are central to decisions about water.
Together, the organisations in this portfolio bring strong relationships, complementary expertise and an approach to the complex, interconnected challenges facing them grounded in their ability to work between science, business, government and community for nature.
Our Murray-Darling portfolio includes:
Funded: 2024 & 2026
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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 conservation groups. We 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
Funded: 2025
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Over more than 30 years, the Murray-Darling Wetlands Working Group has delivered hundreds of projects that have helped to rehabilitate wetlands on public and private property across the Murray-Darling Basin, benefiting the environment and community. They have received many accolades for their achievements in improving wetland management, working successfully between science, business, government and community.
“MDWWG was established more than 30 years ago as a wetlands restoration organisation that works across the entire community of the Murray-Darling Basin. The trust they have built with both private and public landowners and the way they include all the community in their work is inspiring. I hope we can do the same with Nature Impact Collective and be seen as a trusted funder of nature making a positive difference in 30 years from now.”
— William Crothers, NIC Director
Funded: 2026
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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.
“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
Funded: 2026
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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.
“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, Pademelon Fund, NIC members