The Aspen Medical Foundation

The Alcoa Foundation is a global philanthropic organisation that supports community-led initiatives promoting sustainability, education and wellbeing. Our partnership focuses on increasing access to healthcare and rehabilitation in underserved communities.

Through a grant from Alcoa Foundation, we work with First Medical Union in Ukraine to support the Unbroken project. This national rehabilitation initiative delivers prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological support to people affected by conflict, helping individuals regain mobility, independence and dignity.

This partnership provides high-quality prosthetic limbs and professional training for local clinicians, contributing to long-term recovery and resilience for individuals and communities rebuilding after trauma.

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) funds world-class cancer research and infrastructure across Australia. Our partnership focuses on improving early detection and access to screening in remote and underserved communities through the Lung Cancer Screening Centre of Excellence (LUSCE), a mobile research facility.

LUSCE integrates imaging, biomarker testing and digital tools to explore more effective ways to detect lung cancer early. This initiative aims to improve early diagnosis, contribute to national research and reach communities with limited access to cancer screening.

Insights from this pilot will inform a national screening program to improve health equity for rural and at-risk communities.

The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) uses running and physical activity to build health, resilience and social outcomes in Indigenous communities. Our partnership supports the I-CAN program, which promotes physical literacy, health education and school engagement in primary schools and community settings.

The program combines culturally safe health screenings with weekly games and activities, supported by fitness equipment and practical resources. Local teachers and community leaders receive training to build children's skills, confidence and enjoyment of physical activity.

By supporting I-CAN, we advance health equity for Indigenous children by building lifelong habits, strengthening local leadership and encouraging active, connected communities.

Malpa is an Australian not-for-profit organisation delivering culturally informed health education programs for children, grounded in both Indigenous knowledge and contemporary healthcare practices.

Since 2014, we have partnered with Malpa to support the Young Doctors for Life program, which empowers Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children aged 9 to 12 to lead healthier lives. Guided by respected community members, including Elders, teachers and clinicians, students learn both traditional and contemporary approaches to health and wellbeing. In Western Australia, Earbus Foundation WA introduced the program to Peel region schools with Alcoa Foundation support, extending its reach across regional communities.

By supporting this initiative, we help empower children to become health leaders in their communities, building long-term health literacy and pride through culturally safe education

Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) is the leading provider of mental health education programs for schools, workplaces and community groups in the Canberra region of Australia. Our partnership supports their ongoing work to promote early intervention, reduce stigma and improve mental health literacy across the region.

Through a multi-year funding commitment, we support MIEACT to expand its reach and deliver tailored programs that reflect the needs of diverse community groups, including young people and culturally diverse audiences.

This collaboration strengthens local capacity to support mental wellbeing, while encouraging open conversations and building resilience through evidence-based, lived-experience-led education.

The University of Newcastle is an Australian institution committed to regional health equity. For more than six years, we’ve partnered to support community-led health projects, with a focus on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This partnership has supported initiatives led by Awabakal and Yerin Aboriginal Medical Services, including dialysis care, adolescent mental health programs and a community panel supporting Aboriginal-led research at the university. These locally driven initiatives strengthen the role of Aboriginal Medical Services in delivering culturally informed care and guiding community research.

In 2024, in collaboration with the Vonwiller Foundation, we committed to three years of funding for the SPIERS program. This initiative, led by the University of Newcastle and a local early intervention service, enables Indigenous speech pathology students to complete placements in playgroups supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Guided by cultural and trauma-informed training, students provide early communication support while collecting data to inform outcomes. The program strengthens early childhood development and builds capability in the future disability workforce.

Hands Across Canberra is an Australian community foundation that connects donors with grassroots organisations to reduce disadvantage in the Australian Capital Territory. Our partnership supports health-focused initiatives through the Collaborative Grants Round, directing funding to where it’s needed most.

Together, we support a range of local projects, including leadership programs for young women, mental health initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and post-release support for women leaving prison.

By working with a trusted local foundation, this partnership helps ensure funding reaches those closest to the issues, supporting practical, place-based solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing across the Canberra region.