What Tjindu Foundation does

Tjindu Foundation Ltd. is an Aboriginal Community Controlled not-for-profit organisation headquartered on Kaurna Country in Port Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 2021 by Pauly Vandenbergh and April Lawrie, the foundation delivers culturally-centred youth development programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, combining elite Australian Football (AFL) training, SACE-accredited education, cultural identity programs and health/wellbeing support.

The foundation operates a portfolio of six core programs: the Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy (a 35-week program for approximately 60 male and female Year 10-12 students combining high-performance football coaching with SACE credits and Certificate III in Sport Coaching via SEDA College SA), Tjindu STRONG (a remote community education and cultural engagement program delivered across 11 communities in the APY Lands and Far West Coast), Tjindu Thrive (a 2026-launched health and wellbeing program with specialised streams for neurodivergent and ESL learners), Cultural Awareness Workshops (fee-for-service corporate training delivered to organisations including RAA, BHP and SA Water), Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar (a swimming and water safety program with Surf Life Saving SA), and the Nunga Next Generation Football Carnival (an annual U17 carnival). Coaching staff include former AFL players Lindsay Thomas and Gavin Wanganeen, alongside high-performance specialist Sean Baker.

The foundation is funded through four diversified revenue streams: individual tax-deductible donations (with tiered giving from $50 to $1,500), corporate partnerships and sponsorships (including BHP, RAA, CMI Toyota, Beyond Bank and Vili's Family Bakery), federal and South Australian government grants (NIAA, SA Department for Education, SAASTA, AFL, SANFL, Office for Recreation Sport and Racing), and Cultural Awareness Workshop fees. The organisation holds ACNC charity registration, Public Benevolent Institution status and Deductible Gift Recipient status, and operates with 7 employees and a board including strong Aboriginal representation.

Name

Tjindu Foundation

Legal name

Tjindu Foundation Ltd.

Website

https://tjindufoundation.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tjindu Foundation is a Port Adelaide-based Aboriginal Community Controlled not-for-profit delivering culturally-centred AFL football, education, and wellbeing programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth across South Australia, including remote APY Lands and Far West Coast communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aboriginal Youth Development Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Indigenous youth services
• Cultural awareness training
• Elite sport academies
• Aboriginal community education
• Remote community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Adelaide, South Australia

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting Aboriginal youth programs, uniforms, and program participation costs. Donation tiers fund specific items: $50 for one uniform set, $100 for two sets, $500 for a complete kit, $1500 covers tuition and uniforms for one student.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Support from corporate partners including RAA, BHP, CMI Toyota, Beyond Bank, Vili's Family Bakery, ComwireIT, Adelaide Fringe, Morgans, and others. Includes in-kind support, program funding, vehicle provision, and workplace giving through cultural awareness workshops.
3. Government Funding & Grants: Funding from federal government (National Indigenous Australians Agency), South Australian Government (Department for Education, SAASTA), and state sporting bodies (AFL, SANFL, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing).
4. Cultural Awareness Workshop Fees: Fee-for-service cultural awareness training delivered to businesses and government organisations. Packages for 15-40 participants, with standard and full packages including traditional food and cultural practices. Delivered on-premises or via online webinars.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Tjindu Foundation is a not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that delivers culturally-centred youth development programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in South Australia. The foundation combines elite AFL football training, SACE-accredited education, cultural identity programs, health & wellbeing support, and swimming/water safety into integrated programs. It also sells Cultural Awareness Workshops and Reconciliation Action Plan consultancy to corporate and government clients.

Product overview

The Tjindu Foundation operates as a not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering multiple youth development programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across South Australia. The core portfolio consists of the Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy (an elite football and education program), Tjindu STRONG (remote community education support), Tjindu Thrive (health and wellbeing), Cultural Awareness Workshops (corporate training), Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar (water safety), and the Nunga Next Generation Carnival (football competition). Programs are delivered through a hub-and-spoke model centered at Port Adelaide with reach into remote APY Lands and Far West Coast communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy: Elite Australian Football program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior students combining high-performance football training with cultural education and SACE credits
• Tjindu STRONG
• Tjindu Thrive
• Tjindu Academy
• Cultural Awareness Workshops
• Nunga Next Generation Carnival
• Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar

Products and services

• Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy An elite Australian Football program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior school students (Years 10-12) combining high-performance football training, leadership development, cultural education, and SACE-accredited coursework. The program operates weekly at Tjindu HQ in Port Adelaide with 60 students (30 male, 30 female) participating in a 35-week program.
• Tjindu STRONG

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% SACE completion rate for Year 12 and Year 11 required units
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner in the Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar (Water Ocean Kids) swimming and water safety program, delivering 200 places over two years for First Nations children aged 7-12 across SA surf lifesaving centres and aquatic facilities.
• Adelaide Crows FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Tjindu students participated in Adelaide Crows Foundation's Stemfooty program. Partner in Dreamtime at the 'G excursion activities.
• Cancer Council SAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Listed as a program partner supporting the Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy.
• Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Works with Tjindu STRONG program in APY Lands communities. Informed development of Tjindu STRONG curriculum support tools including the 2022 program booklet covering oral health, healthy eating, COVID-19, and cyber safety.
• Foodbank SAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Foodbank provided support for the Nunga U17 Next Generation Carnival catering. Recipient of Cultural Awareness Workshops from Tjindu. Tjindu General Manager Kellie Graves participates in Foodbank SA's RAP working group.
• RAAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Major program partner supporting the Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy. Provides RAA Street Smart road safety programs to Academy students. RAA supports Tjindu with driving program (hours towards provisional license). Partner for Teen Parliament. Supporter of Tjindu since foundation.
• South Australian Department for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Government partner delivering SACE education components for the Aboriginal AFL Academy. Education team delivers classroom sessions. Year 12 Academic Achiever Awards sponsored by the Department. Provides education expertise and school connectivity.
• BHPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Major corporate partner providing funding and tablets for Academy students. Delivered Cultural Awareness Workshops for Olympic Dam leaders. Sponsors Respect and Resilience Award at Academy graduation. Extended support for three years. Partner since foundation establishment.
• CMI ToyotacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Automotive partner since 2023, providing vehicle supply for three years including a Toyota Hiace Commuter branded in Tjindu livery for program delivery across SA.
• Beyond Bank AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Corporate partner supporting the Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy. Sponsors the Student Encouragement Award at Academy graduation. Long-term supporter.
• Vili's Family BakerycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Fundraising partner selling Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Island Flag themed doughnuts during NAIDOC and Reconciliation Weeks, with proceeds supporting Tjindu. Generated over $30,000 in 2022 and continued into 2023.
• Adelaide FringeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Corporate partner since 2022. Adelaide Fringe received Cultural Awareness Workshops from Tjindu for their team. Partner supporting reconciliation and cultural engagement activities.
• MorgansminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Corporate partner listed on Tjindu Foundation's partners page.
• ComwireITminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Corporate partner supporting Tjindu Foundation programs. Listed as a program partner for the Aboriginal AFL Academy.
• AFL MaxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Original program partner providing facility access at Adelaide Airport for the Tjindu AFL Max Academy (2021). 60 players (30 male, 30 female) participated in a 35-week program at AFL Max facilities. The Academy later transitioned to Tjindu operating independently from its Port Adelaide HQ.
• SEDA College SAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Education partner providing Certificate III in Sport Coaching qualification as part of the Academy program. Students earn accredited qualifications alongside their SACE credits.
• Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Listed as a program partner supporting the Tjindu Aboriginal AFL Academy since 2022.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stars Foundation: Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women through sport-based mentorship, wellbeing programs, and educational engagement in schools across multiple states. Comparable model of full-time, in-school staff delivering culture-centred sport and education.
• Clontarf Foundation: Australia's largest Indigenous-specific sports-for-education program operating across ~150 schools with an AFL/rugby pathway model. Closest comparable to Tjindu — both combine elite sport with school attendance targets and SACE-equivalent attainment, although Clontarf is national and male-focused.
• Yalari: Australian Indigenous education non-profit supporting Indigenous students through boarding school scholarships and tertiary pathways. Comparable on education completion focus and corporate partnership revenue mix.
• Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF): Provides scholarships and boarding school access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Overlaps with Tjindu on Closing the Gap-driven educational completion mission and corporate partnership model.
• David Wirrpanda Foundation: Indigenous-led foundation delivering sports, education and cultural programs to Aboriginal youth, with both corporate partnerships and a focus on remote engagement. Closely aligned operating philosophy and stakeholder base.
• Wirrpanda Foundation: Founded by AFL premiership player Chad Wirrpanda, supports Aboriginal youth through sport, education and culture. Similar AFL-anchored design and community-led operating model, focused on WA/NT but directly comparable in mission.

Broad incumbents

• AFL Indigenous Programs: Umbrella AFL indigenous programs including Next Generation Academies. Tjindu operates a complementary delivery layer to the AFL's broader talent pathway infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Reconciliation Australia: National RAP framework administrator; Tjindu is a RAP consultancy provider. Indirectly comparable as ecosystem participant in Indigenous-corporate cultural engagement.
• Indigenous Marathon Foundation: Uses elite sport (distance running) and education to drive outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Comparable culture+elite-sport+education composition but running not football.

Others

• Port Adelaide Football Club — Power Community: Power Community (PAFC's community arm) runs Aboriginal-specific programs and was previously the employer of Tjindu's co-founder. Co-located in Port Adelaide; an adjacent ecosystem participant and historical pipeline for Tjindu participants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/tjindufoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tjindu-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/tjindufoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Tjindu Foundation