Australian Indigenous Education Foundation

The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) is a non-profit organisation established in 2008 by Andrew Penfold to support the educational aspirations of Indigenous students in Australia[2]. The foundation provides scholarship funding for Indigenous students to complete Year 12 or tertiary studies, along with career support to facilitate a successful transition into employment[2][5].

History

AIEF was created in response to community demand from Indigenous families seeking access to quality boarding school educations. It grew from the St Joseph’s College Indigenous Fund, which Andrew Penfold also founded in 2004 to provide boarding scholarships at the college for Indigenous students in financial need[2]. In 2008, the Australian Government agreed to invest $20 million in AIEF, with the condition that this amount would be matched by private sector funding by 2028, aiming to create a $40 million joint venture[2]. By 2012, AIEF had exceeded its initial funding target, leveraging significant support from the private sector[2].

Programs

The foundation operates through two core programs:

• AIEF Scholarship Program: This program provides funding for Indigenous students to pursue their education at leading Australian boarding schools and universities. It enables students to access quality education in culturally inclusive environments, where they can develop skills and confidence to fulfill their potential[5].

• AIEF Pathways Program: This program complements the Scholarship Program by offering career support. It helps AIEF students transition successfully from school or university to further studies or employment, ensuring they maximize their opportunities[5].

Impact

AIEF has grown significantly since its inception. From supporting one scholarship student in 2008, it now provides support to over 1,500 young Indigenous people from more than 400 communities across all states and territories in Australia[2][5]. The organisation is backed by influential business, philanthropic, and community leaders, working to remove financial barriers that might hinder Indigenous students and their families from accessing quality education[5].

Objectives

The primary objective of AIEF is to provide scholarships to Indigenous secondary school and university students, enabling them to attend boarding schools and universities throughout Australia[3]. By doing so, the foundation aims to promote educational equity and social inclusion, empowering Indigenous students to reach their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities[5].

AIEF remains non-political and non-religious, respecting individual beliefs and maintaining a non-partisan stance on political, social, and religious issues to reflect the diversity of its stakeholders[5].

[1] https://www.aief.com.au [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Indigenous_Education_Foundation [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/6b4278db-39af-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60 [4] https://movingworlds.org/organization/1958 [5] https://www.aief.com.au/about/