What Jawun does

Jawun is an Australian nonprofit partnership organization, established in 2001 as Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships and renamed in August 2010, that has for over 20 years operated a secondment-based model connecting corporate, government and philanthropic organizations with Indigenous-led communities across twelve Australian regions (Cape York, Goulburn Murray, East and West Kimberley, Inner Sydney, Central Coast, North East Arnhem Land, Central Australia / NPY Lands, Lower River Murray, Far West Coast, South West Australia, and Pilbara). Its core service is the placement of skilled secondees — over 4,000 lifetime corporate and government employees to date — into approximately 150 Indigenous community organizations, complemented by immersive Executive Visits for senior leaders (1,500+ participants), the Emerging Leaders program (300 alumni), and the invitation-only Stories of Female Leadership network. Technology is not a core asset: Jawun's website and one productized digital tool, the Pama Platform for opportunity accounts, are the only technology surfaces, and the organization characterizes itself as delivering impact through human-led programs rather than proprietary software. The business model is a tiered membership structure (Catalyse, Collaborate, Emergent) for corporate partners, layered with government partnerships (Australian federal government since 2011, Western Australian and South Australian governments), and grant funding from philanthropic foundations including the Jibb Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, and The Lionel & Yvonne Spencer Trust. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by Ilana Atlas AO, with Patron Noel Pearson, and is led by Group CEO of Cape York Partnership Fiona Jose alongside regional directors who are typically Indigenous leaders or program alumni.

Name

Jawun

Legal name

Jawun

Website

https://jawun.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jawun is an Australian nonprofit that places corporate and government secondees with Indigenous organizations across 12 regions, complementing secondments with Executive Visits, the Emerging Leaders program, and the Pama Platform digital tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Partnership and Capacity Building Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF)

Keywords

• Indigenous partnership programs
• Corporate secondment services
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Community development partnerships
• Reconciliation program services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnership Contributions: Corporate partners pay fees to participate in the secondment program, with tiered membership levels (Catalyse, Collaborate, Emergent) reflecting contribution levels and engagement depth.
2. Government Grants and Partnerships: Federal and state government partners provide funding and strategic support for Indigenous-led programs across all 12 regions.
3. Philanthropic Support: Philanthropic foundations including Jibb Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, and The Lionel & Yvonne Spencer Trust provide grant funding.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jawun operates a secondment-based partnership model in which corporate and government employees are placed with Indigenous community-controlled organizations across 12 Australian regions for mutual skills transfer. Complementing the core secondment program are Executive Visits that immerse senior leaders in Indigenous-led change agendas, the Emerging Leaders Program developing young Indigenous leaders, the Stories of Female Leadership network, and the Empowered Communities reform agenda. Together these programs deliver capacity building, leadership development, and reconciliation outcomes for both Indigenous communities and their corporate, government and philanthropic partners.

Product overview

Jawun is a non-profit organization operating a partnership model based on shared learning, enduring relationships and robust value exchange. The core offerings consist of the Secondment Program (placing corporate and government employees with Indigenous organizations), Executive Visits (immersion experiences for executives), and specialized programs including the Emerging Leaders Program (leadership development founded 2011), Stories of Female Leadership (SoFL) network, and Empowered Communities reform initiative. Jawun also supports digital products including the Pama Platform (opportunity account mobile/web application) and the H.O.M.E. Family Mentoring Program. The organization operates across 12 regions in Australia supporting Indigenous-led change through capacity building, skills transfer, and organizational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondment Program A program in which corporate and government employees are seconded to work alongside Indigenous leaders, organizations and communities to build capacity through mutual skills transfer. Jawun has seconded 4,000+ employees to approximately 150 Indigenous organizations across 12 regions. Designed for corporate, government and philanthropic partner organizations.
• Executive Visits Immersive on-country experiences for senior corporate and government executives to engage with Indigenous-led change agendas. Over 1,500 senior executives have participated to date. Aimed at senior corporate and government leaders seeking to deepen their understanding of Indigenous Australia.
• Emerging Leaders Program A leadership development initiative for young Indigenous leaders founded in 2011. Provides opportunities to engage and connect across regions and sectors; 60 leaders from 10 regions have participated to date. Targeted at young Indigenous leaders across Jawun-supported regions.
• Stories of Female Leadership (SoFL) An invitation-only network bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women leaders from Jawun partner regions with senior corporate and government leaders. Includes biennial gatherings and curated events. Targeted at Indigenous women leaders and senior corporate and government leaders.
• Pama Platform A mobile-friendly, web-based application supporting Indigenous people in money management, health, education, employment and home ownership. Features Opportunity Accounts with lockable savings categories for different life stages. Targeted at Indigenous people in Cape York and other Jawun-supported communities.
• H.O.M.E. Family Mentoring Program Healing Our Mob through Empowerment (H.O.M.E.) program developed by Tribal Warrior in Inner Sydney. Uses a mentoring and cultural healing approach to support Indigenous families at risk of child removal. Targeted at Indigenous families at risk of child removal in Inner Sydney.
• Empowered Communities A reform agenda established in 2013 representing Indigenous leaders from ten regions working together with government and corporate Australia to drive transformational policy reforms. Targeted at Indigenous leaders, government and corporate Australia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4000+ corporate and government employees seconded to Indigenous organizations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Founding partner for North East Arnhem Land, NSW Central Coast, and Pilbara regions. Also supports South West Australia, Inner Sydney, and Central Australia regions. Has provided secondees and executive support.
• WestpaccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Founding partner of Jawun. The Westpac Group has supported over 1000 of its employees to share expertise with communities across 10 Jawun-supported regions through secondments and executive visits. Active in reconciliation and Indigenous empowerment initiatives.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner that supported Noel Pearson to set up the Cape York Institute and many other local Indigenous reform projects across Australia.
• National Australia Bank (NAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Jawun in 2010 in East Kimberley through a two-way learning process as part of its Reconciliation Action Plan. Today supports East and West Kimberley regions.
• KPMGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Jawun in 2007 and was founding partner of the Goulburn Murray region. Has been founding partner of many Jawun regions and supports Inner Sydney, North East Arnhem Land, West Kimberley, and East Kimberley regions.
• ANZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2024 and supports Indigenous communities in the Goulburn Murray, South West Australia, and Pilbara regions.
• WoodsidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBegan partnership with Jawun in 2011 and shares expertise with Indigenous organizations in the Kimberley, Lower River Murray, Far West Coast, North East Arnhem Land, South West Australia, and Pilbara.
• Rio TintocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined Jawun in 2021 as a Founding Partner in the Pilbara region and supports Indigenous communities in North East Arnhem Land, South West Australia, and Central Coast regions.
• MacquariecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2014 and has assisted Indigenous organizations by providing longer-term secondees to Cape York. Now provides secondees to East Kimberley and Central Australia regions.
• AllenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2011 and supports Indigenous communities in Inner Sydney, Goulburn Murray, and North East Arnhem Land. Provided 44 secondees over 10 years with legal and pro bono support.
• BluescopemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2017 and supports Indigenous communities in Central Australia through secondments.
• QantasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Jawun program in 2011 and has focused efforts on working in Cape York, Inner Sydney, and Kimberley regions.
• IAGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2014 and supports Indigenous organizations by sending secondees to Central Australia, Goulburn Murray, and NSW Central Coast.
• NBN ComajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner mid-2021 and supports Indigenous communities in East Kimberley, North East Arnhem Land, and Central Australia.
• University of Technology SydneymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2023 and supports Indigenous communities across Inner Sydney, Lower River Murray, Far West Coast, and Central Australia regions.
• Australian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommenced with Jawun in 2011 and supports Indigenous organizations across all Jawun-supported regions through federal government partnerships.
• Western Australian GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Western Australia became a partner in 2011 and supports the East and West Kimberley and South West regions.
• South Australian GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Government of South Australia became a partner in 2015 and supports Indigenous communities in Lower River Murray and Far West Coast.
• Paul Ramsay FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic partner providing grant funding to support Indigenous-led programs and capacity building initiatives.
• Jibb FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic partner supporting Indigenous community development and empowerment programs.
• The Lionel & Yvonne Spencer TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic trust providing support for Indigenous-led initiatives.
• PepsiComajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2021 and supports Indigenous communities in North East Arnhem Land and Inner Sydney.
• Endeavour Drinks GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a Jawun partner in 2013 and supports Indigenous organizations in Inner Sydney, Goulburn Murray, NSW Central Coast, and North East Arnhem Land.
• OptusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2024 and supports Indigenous communities in Inner Sydney, Central Coast, and Goulburn Murray regions.
• Indigenous Business AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2024 and supports Indigenous communities in Far West Coast and Lower River Murray regions.
• Curtin UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2018 and supports Indigenous communities in East and West Kimberley, South West Australia, and Pilbara.
• White & CaseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm became a partner in 2022 and supports Indigenous communities in West Kimberley region.
• RocheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2020 and supports Indigenous communities in Inner Sydney and Central Australia.
• RAC (Western Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a Jawun partner in 2014 with a focus on East Kimberley and South West Australia.
• Uber AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2025 and supports Indigenous communities in the West Kimberley region.
• Scentre GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecame a partner in 2025 and supports Indigenous communities in Inner Sydney region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF): Nonprofit that partners with corporates (notably Westpac and mining firms) to fund Indigenous secondary and tertiary education scholarships. Comparable corporate-partnership model, Australian focus, and Indigenous capacity-building mission.
• Cape York Partnership: Sibling organization in the Cape York reform ecosystem founded by Noel Pearson alongside Jawun's Cape York work. Operates programs on welfare reform, economic development, and education for Cape York Indigenous communities, sharing leadership and audience with Jawun.
• Reconciliation Australia: National peak body for reconciliation in Australia, running the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program that underpins many of the same corporate partners engaged with Jawun. Directly comparable in mission, partner base, and Australian Indigenous-empowerment focus.
• National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE): Australian Indigenous-led organization delivering education, employment, and well-being programs with corporate and government partners. Comparable Indigenous-led capacity-building mandate and partnership-driven funding model.
• First Nations Foundation: Indigenous-led organization building financial resilience and economic capability with First Peoples, supported by philanthropic and corporate partners. Comparable in mission, Indigenous leadership, and corporate/philanthropic funding mix.
• Indigenous Literacy Foundation: Australian nonprofit partnering with corporates, publishers, and government to improve literacy outcomes in remote Indigenous communities. Similar corporate-partnership, regional-delivery, and impact-reporting model to Jawun.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Council for International Development (ACFID): Peak body for Australian NGOs and development organizations. Comparable in sector-oversight, advocacy, and corporate/government engagement, though focused on international development rather than domestic Indigenous partnership.
• The Smith Family: Large Australian nonprofit working on disadvantage through education and family support with corporate partners, government contracts, and philanthropy. A larger incumbent operating with a more traditional social-services model rather than Jawun's secondment intermediary approach.

Regional players

• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB): Canadian counterpart that convenes Indigenous businesses and corporate Canada on reconciliation and economic inclusion. Conceptually analogous secondment-style partnership intermediary, but operating in the Canadian market rather than Australia.

Emerging players

• Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association: Indigenous-led professional association with corporate and government partnerships supporting Indigenous representation in medicine. Adjacent in Indigenous-leadership and capacity-building model, but narrower in sectoral focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jawun