Children's Ground
Children's Ground is a First Nations-led not-for-profit delivering integrated early childhood education, health, and cultural programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families across Central Australia, the Top End, and nationally through the Utyerre Apanpe educators' network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersAbbotsford, VIC, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Children's Ground does
Children's Ground Ltd is an Australian First Nations not-for-profit organization incorporated in 2011 under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (ABN 74154403086), operating as a public company limited by guarantee. The organization delivers a 25-year, integrated approach to early childhood education, health promotion, cultural preservation, and economic development for First Nations children and families in nine communities across Central Australia (Arrernte Country), the Top End of the Northern Territory (Garramilla/Darwin and Marlkawo/West Arnhem Land), and nationally through the Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Educators' Network. Programs are designed, delivered, and evaluated by First Nations communities themselves through 100% First Nations Cultural Governance Committees, with a board where over 50% of directors are First Nations.
Core programmatic products include Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe (Central Australia), Wurdurd Garriyigarrmerren (Top End), the Arrernte Language App, and published First Nations language resources (books, flashcards, posters) covering seven languages. The organization has employed 260+ First Nations people since 2014 and reported outcome data including 82% engagement in early years learning (vs 14% baseline), 89% of families reporting improved child health, and 100% of families reporting increased child engagement. The technology stack is minimal: no proprietary platform, API, or ML system is disclosed, and the Arrernte Language App is the only digital product.
The revenue model is donation-led, with five streams: individual and corporate donations, multi-year philanthropic partnerships (a five-year, $9.57M Goodman Foundation commitment announced December 2024), corporate partnerships (>$10K), a social enterprise store selling language resources, and a Gifts in Wills programme. Approximately 80% of expenditure is allocated to program delivery. Distribution is direct and place-based through community hubs, on-Country delivery, and the national Utyerre Apanpe network, with donor and partner engagement handled through a Melbourne coordination office, the website, peer-to-peer fundraising, and events including National Reconciliation Week (Wear It Yellow) and NAIDOC Week.
Children's Ground firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Children's Ground
- Legal name
- Children's Ground Ltd
- Website
- https://childrensground.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Children's Ground is a First Nations-led not-for-profit delivering integrated early childhood education, health, and cultural programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families across Central Australia, the Top End, and nationally through the Utyerre Apanpe educators' network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Children's Ground industry classification
Industry- Product category
- First Nations Community Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) & Pre-Primary Education (BPADAKAB), Early Head Start & Publicly Funded Infant/Toddler Programs (EDACAGAH), Language-Immersion Nursery & Playgroups (EDACACAI)
Keywords
Where Children's Ground is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abbotsford, VIC
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Children's Ground business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Children's Ground relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and philanthropists. Program delivery accounts for approximately 80% of expenditure with the remainder supporting administrative management.
- Philanthropic Partnerships: Major philanthropic partnerships such as the five-year, $9.57 million partnership with Goodman Foundation.
- Corporate Partnerships: Transformative corporate and philanthropy partnerships for major gifts of $10,000 or more, providing dedicated updates and engagement for partners.
- Social Enterprise - Store: Sale of language resources, books, flashcards, apps, and merchandise created by First Nations communities to strengthen language learning and generate income.
- Bequests: Gifts in Wills programme where supporters can leave charitable gifts to Children's Ground through their estate planning.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for First Nations communities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Children's Ground product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Children's Ground is a First Nations-led not-for-profit that delivers integrated 25-year community programs (Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe in Central Australia and Wurdurd Garriyigarrmerren in the Top End) providing free early childhood education, health and wellbeing services, cultural preservation, and employment pathways for First Nations children and families. The organisation also runs the Utyerre Apanpe national First Nations educators' network, Truth Telling Workshops, an Arrernte Language App, and a social-enterprise store of community-produced language learning resources.
Product overview
Children's Ground operates as a First Nations-led not-for-profit organization delivering an integrated 25-year approach to ending injustice and disadvantage. The organization provides core community programs including Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe in Central Australia and Wurdurd Garriyigarrmerren in the Top End, which deliver early childhood education, health, cultural development, and economic opportunities through First Nations governance. Supplementary offerings include the Arrernte Language App and printed language learning resources (books, flashcards, posters), Truth Telling Workshops, the Wear it Yellow fundraising campaign, and the Utyerre Apanpe national educators' network advocating for First Nations education system reform. The organization also produces advocacy campaigns and media partnerships including the In My Blood It Runs documentary.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe: Children's Ground Central Australia - delivers early years learning, health, and wellbeing programs on Arrernte Country in and around Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
- Wurdurd Garriyigarrmerren
- Utyerre Apanpe
Products and services
- Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe (Children's Ground Central Australia) Integrated early childhood learning and wellbeing program delivered on Arrernte Country in and around Mparntwe (Alice Springs), providing education, health, cultural development, and economic opportunities for First Nations children and families through First Nations-led governance and pedagogy.
- Wurdurd Garriyigarrmerren (Children's Ground Top End) Integrated community development program operating in Garramilla (Darwin) and Marlkawo (West Arnhem Land), delivering early learning, health promotion, and after-school activities across Town Camps, with culturally-responsive education combining First Nations and Western approaches.
- Arrernte Language App Mobile application for learning Arrernte language, featuring learning games, songs in language, and teaching tools to strengthen First Nations language learning among children and families.
- First Nations Language Resources (Books, Flashcards, Posters) Published learning materials in First Languages including children's books featuring multiple languages, flashcards, posters, and activity books that document and teach Arrernte and other First Nations languages.
- Utyerre Apanpe (First Nations Educators' Network) A national network of First Nations cultural educators advancing education reform, sharing First Nations pedagogy, curriculum, standards, and practices, advocating for recognition and establishment of a First Nations-led education system.
- Truth Telling Workshops Educational workshops that facilitate conversations about the true history of Australia, the impact of colonisation on First Nations people, and celebrating First Nations resistance and strength; supports Reconciliation Action Plans.
Quantifiable outcome
- 82% of children (0-5 years) across four communities engaged in early years learning vs 14% before Children's Ground
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Children's Ground
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Children's Ground technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Children's Ground partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- RMIT UniversityminorSupporting Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Education Network Forum 2026. RMIT joins other academic and community partners in supporting First Nations education reform initiatives.
- AnglicareminorSupporting partner for Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Education Network Forum 2026, contributing to national education reform advocacy.
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC)minorSupporting Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Education Network Forum 2026 as a key education partner.
- Fender Music AustraliaminorAnnual partnership for Art Guitar Auction during NAIDOC Week. Dan Sultan and Fender partner with Children's Ground to create guitar artworks by First Nations artists, with proceeds supporting Arrernte musician-led programmes.
- EverywillminorPartnership with online Will platform to offer supporters free online Will writing services. Supports the Gifts in Wills programme for legacy giving.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Children's Ground competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mission Australia: Large national community-services NGO delivering housing, employment, youth, and family services, including Indigenous programs. Comparable to Children's Ground as an established Australian not-for-profit with comparable early childhood and family services, but operating at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
- Berry Street: One of Australia's largest child and family services organisations, providing education, early childhood, out-of-home care, and family support across Victoria and beyond. Comparable to Children's Ground as a major community-services NGO delivering early childhood education, family services, and Indigenous programs at greater scale and broader geographic scope.
Direct peers
- Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF): Foundation supporting Indigenous students through scholarships, leadership programs, and career pathways. Comparable to Children's Ground as both focus on First Nations education, leadership development, and bridging educational disadvantage with philanthropic backing.
- Tangentyere Council: Arrernte community-controlled organisation in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) advocating for and delivering services to Town Camp residents. Comparable as a First Nations-governed service and advocacy body in Central Australia, where Children's Ground also operates; its former Executive Director William Tilmouth is Children's Ground's Founding Chair.
- Clontarf Foundation: National foundation using sport, leadership, and employment programs to improve education and life outcomes for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Comparable as a First Nations-focused education, employment, and well-being organisation that uses an integrated, community-embedded model.
- AbSec — NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care: Aboriginal community-controlled peak body advocating for Aboriginal children, families, and communities in out-of-home care. Comparable to Children's Ground as a First Nations-led organisation focused on child welfare, family preservation, and culturally informed service design.
- SNAICC — National Voice for our Children: Australia's peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's wellbeing. Comparable to Children's Ground because both focus on systemic advocacy and services for First Nations children, families, and communities, and engage in policy reform alongside direct community support.
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): Peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services across Australia. Comparable to Children's Ground as a First Nations-led, community-controlled network delivering integrated services (including maternal and child health) and advocating for systemic reform.
- Akeyulerre Healing Centre: Arrernte-led cultural healing and language organisation co-founded in 2000 by Children's Ground's Founding CEO, Jane Vadiveloo, with Arrernte Elders. Highly comparable as a First Nations cultural-preservation and well-being organisation operating on Arrernte Country in Central Australia.
- Stars Foundation: Foundation supporting Indigenous girls and young women through school-based mentoring, health and well-being, and post-school transition programs. Comparable as a First Nations education and well-being charity delivering integrated, place-based programs with measurable outcomes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Children's Ground social profiles
Digital presenceChildren's Ground financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Children's Ground leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Children's Ground funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Children's Ground M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Children's Ground
What does Children's Ground do?
Children's Ground is a First Nations-led not-for-profit that delivers integrated 25-year community programs (Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe in Central Australia and Wurdurd Garriyigarrmerren in the Top End) providing free early childhood education, health and wellbeing services, cultural preservation, and employment pathways for First Nations children and families. The organisation also runs the Utyerre Apanpe national First Nations educators' network, Truth Telling Workshops, an Arrernte Language App, and a social-enterprise store of community-produced language learning resources.
Is Children's Ground a public or private company?
Children's Ground is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Children's Ground founded?
Children's Ground was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Children's Ground based?
Children's Ground is headquartered in Abbotsford, VIC, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Children's Ground make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are philanthropic Partnerships, corporate Partnerships, social Enterprise - Store and bequests.
Who are Children's Ground's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mission Australia and Berry Street. Direct peers are Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF), Tangentyere Council, Clontarf Foundation, AbSec — NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care, SNAICC — National Voice for our Children, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Akeyulerre Healing Centre and Stars Foundation.
Does Children's Ground have an API?
No public API is recorded for Children's Ground.
What industry is Children's Ground in?
Children's Ground's product category is First Nations Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACABAA, General Preschools (Play-Based), with a secondary code of BPADAKAB, Early Childhood Development (ECD) & Pre-Primary Education. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8351.