Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation

What Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation does

Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous-led, not-for-profit organisation headquartered on Turrbal and Yuggera Country in Brisbane, Australia. Founded in 2019 by CEO Sheryl Batchelor — an Aboriginal woman with ancestral ties to Kunja Country and more than 30 years of experience across education, neuroplasticity, and trauma-informed practice — the organisation designs and delivers science-informed, culturally grounded brain health programs that integrate Indigenous ways of knowing with applied neuroscience. The name 'Yiliyapinya' means 'brain' in Wankumara (Galai) language, and the entity operates as a DGR1 registered charity with ABN 16 133 150 979, governed by a majority Indigenous board.

The core program portfolio comprises The Yili Program® for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 7–17 who are disengaged from school or have recently exited youth detention; Growing Deadly Brains® for children aged 0–8, their families, and early years practitioners (co-developed with Queensland Kids Partnership); Know Your Brain, delivered inside Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and West Moreton Youth Detention Centre (200+ young people annually); Made by Mob, a 2024-launched carpentry and cultural art program with a self-funding picnic table sales channel; Workforce Brain Health for corporate and organisational teams; the upcoming Deadly Brains Playgroup; and Brain Games (e.g., Jumping Fish). Program modalities span equine therapy, sport, cognitive training, cultural art, camps, podcasting, literacy/numeracy, and an embedded Brain Health Coach model across Queensland.

The revenue model is a multi-stream charity structure: tax-deductible individual donations (one-time, weekly, monthly), corporate partnerships offering RAP support and workplace giving, grant funding from government and philanthropic foundations (including Future Generation Australia, Minderoo Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, and Hand Heart Pocket), product sales from Made by Mob tables, and the Queensland Containers for Change donation scheme. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: direct program delivery in South East Queensland combined with national reach via partnerships, speaking engagements, digital resources, and referral pathways through schools, the youth justice system, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. The 14-person team is majority Indigenous and operates with no parent company, no venture or private equity backing, and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation

Legal name

Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation

Website

https://yiliyapinya.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous-led Australian not-for-profit that integrates Indigenous ways of knowing with applied neuroscience to deliver brain health programs for Indigenous children, youth, families, workforces, and the justice system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Community Brain Health Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Holistic & Integrative Wellness Education (Ayurveda, Traditional Practices) (EDAAAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Brain health programs
• Indigenous community services
• Neuroscience education
• Youth justice programs
• Cognitive training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane (Turrbal and Yuggera Country)

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals through the website. Options include one-time, weekly, or monthly donations. Yiliyapinya is a DGR1 registered charity. All donations go directly to funding brain health programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporate organisations offering RAP support, cultural guidance, Workforce Brain Health access, and workplace giving programs. Includes major gifts and bequests.
3. Grant Funding: Funding from government and philanthropic organisations. Yiliyapinya works with grant funders, government agencies, and sector partnerships.
4. Made by Mob Product Sales: Sale of handmade picnic tables built by young people in the Made by Mob program. Tables are sold to schools, parks, cafes, government sites and community spaces. Single tables and bulk procurement available. Revenue reinvested into programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous-led not-for-profit that designs and delivers science-informed, culturally responsive brain health programs combining Indigenous ways of knowing with applied neuroscience. Core offerings include The Yili Program® (ages 7-17), Growing Deadly Brains® (ages 0-8), Know Your Brain (youth detention curriculum), Made by Mob (carpentry/cultural art skill-building), Workforce Brain Health (organisational professional development), and Deadly Brains Playgroup (upcoming), supported by free Brain Games and a webinars/podcasts/courses resource library.

Product overview

Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation operates as an Indigenous-led not-for-profit offering a portfolio of brain health programs that weave Indigenous ways of knowing with applied neuroscience. The core offerings consist of The Yili Program® for disengaged young people (ages 7–17) and Growing Deadly Brains® for early childhood development (ages 0–8), complemented by targeted sub-products including Know Your Brain (delivered in youth detention centres), Made by Mob (carpentry skill-building with table sales), Workforce Brain Health (organisational programs), Deadly Brains Playgroup (upcoming), and Brain Games (digital cognitive training). Supporting resources include webinars, podcasts, courses, and downloadable factsheets covering brain health, development, and healing concepts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Yili Program®: Yiliyapinya's signature neuroscience-informed, culturally responsive program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 7-17 who are disengaged from school and/or recently exited youth detention.
• Made by Mob
• Know Your Brain
• Workforce Brain Health
• Growing Deadly Brains®
• Deadly Brains Playgroup

Products and services

• The Yili Program® Yiliyapinya's signature neuroscience-informed, culturally responsive holistic program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 7-17 who are disengaged from school or recently exited youth detention. Delivered in South East Queensland, the program strengthens cognitive skills, emotional regulation and decision-making while nurturing culture, identity and belonging through equine therapy, sport, cognitive training, cultural art, camps, podcasting, literacy/numeracy and brain health activities.
• Made by Mob Skill-building program for Indigenous young people aged 7-17, delivered Friday evenings and Saturdays. Participants design, construct and decorate high-quality picnic tables with original cultural artwork; tables are sold (single and bulk procurement) to schools, parks, cafes, government sites and community spaces across Queensland, with wheelchair-friendly variants and proceeds reinvested into Yiliyapinya's programs.
• Know Your Brain Neuroscience-informed curriculum delivered to young people at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and West Moreton Youth Detention Centre. Builds self-awareness, emotional regulation and decision-making skills to support a different future for 200+ young people in detention each year.
• Workforce Brain Health Science-informed professional development program for organisations and corporate teams combining applied neuroscience with Indigenous knowledge. Ranges from one-hour presentations to 12-month cognitive training engagements that improve cognitive function, emotional regulation and resilience in the workplace. Quote-based, tailored to each organisation.
• Growing Deadly Brains® First Nations-led initiative developed in collaboration with Queensland Kids Partnership and Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership, honouring both cultural knowledge and neuroscience to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-8, their families, caregivers and early years practitioners. Includes free video resources, factsheets, and professional development through embedded Brain Health Coaches in Queensland organisations.
• Deadly Brains Playgroup Upcoming playgroup program designed to support brain health and development for children and families. Currently launching soon.
• Brain Games Free brain training games including 'Jumping Fish', accessible online, designed to sharpen focus and build cognitive habits for young people, families, and anyone looking to improve cognitive skills. Available through the website and at jumpingfishgame.netlify.app.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ young people participate in Know Your Brain lessons at Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and West Moreton Youth Detention Centre each year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MOOD TeaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning certified Social Enterprise creating tea that does good with every sip. Accredited by Social Traders, MOOD Tea reinvests 100% of profits into youth mental health and wellbeing initiatives including Yiliyapinya's Yili Program.
• QATSICPPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations delivering child and family support services in Queensland, and the state's Youth Justice Peak. Represents 40 member organisations championing culturally grounded, community-led solutions.
• VidZerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSydney-based video production company creating corporate films, brand stories, event coverage and social content. Committed to producing pro-bono videos for Australian charities including Yiliyapinya.
• Legal Aid QueenslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free legal information, advice, referrals and legal representation for eligible clients in criminal, family and civil law matters. Helps with domestic and family violence, child protection, separation, criminal charges, debt, NDIS appeals and child support.
• Queensland Kids PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner on Growing Deadly Brains initiative. Works alongside families, Elders and local services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.
• Thriving Queensland Kids PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamed collaborator on Growing Deadly Brains project. First Nations-led initiative honouring both cultural knowledge and neuroscience for children aged 0-8 years.
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Sheryl Batchelor is Adjunct Professor at QUT's School of Justice, contributing to research and policy on brain health, healing and systems change. University collaboration for research and academic engagement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stars Foundation: Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women through education, healthy living, and strong culture programs. Comparable in Indigenous-led youth development methodology and partnership-driven school delivery.
• AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience): Indigenous-led non-profit delivering education and mentoring programs to support Indigenous young people in schools and beyond. Directly comparable in mission, target cohort, and community-led delivery model.
• The Healing Foundation: National Indigenous organisation that works with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by colonisation, Stolen Generations, and other policies of forced removal. Comparable in Indigenous-led healing, trauma-informed practice, and government/philanthropic funding base.
• Clontarf Foundation: Uses sport to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in education, employment, and life outcomes. Comparable in Indigenous-youth program delivery, school engagement, and corporate/foundation funding base.
• Stronger Smarter Institute: Indigenous education organisation focused on culturally responsive schooling and leadership capability for educators and communities. Comparable in Indigenous education transformation, sector influence, and academic partnership model.
• Children's Ground: Indigenous-led organisation working alongside First Nations children, families, and communities with a holistic, culturally grounded approach across early childhood and wellbeing. Strongly comparable in Indigenous-led holistic and early-years methodology.

Broad incumbents

• Orygen Youth Mental Health: Specialist youth mental health organisation combining research, clinical service, and workforce training for young people aged 12–25. Comparable in brain/neuro-informed youth intervention model and workforce training programs, though focused on mainstream mental health rather than Indigenous cohorts.
• Telethon Kids Institute: Major Australian paediatric research institute with dedicated Aboriginal health research programs. Comparable in brain-development research applied to children, academic affiliation, and engagement with Indigenous communities, though larger and research-led rather than direct service delivery.
• Black Dog Institute: Australian medical research institute translating scientific evidence into clinical practice for mental health and brain disorders. Comparable in brain-health focus, science-informed program design, and partnerships with universities and government, though broader in scope and clinical-research oriented.

Emerging players

• DeadlyScience: Indigenous-led non-profit providing STEM resources and learning opportunities to remote and regional Indigenous communities. Comparable in Indigenous-led education programming, foundation funding base, and community-driven program design across Australia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yiliyapinya-indigenous-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation