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Annual Giving
$500K
Grant Range
$10K – $5.0M
Programs
1 (1 open)

Tips for Applicants

IMF operates primarily as a direct service provider rather than a traditional grant-maker. They seek Indigenous participants for their running programs, community partners for program delivery, corporate sponsors for funding, and individual donors. Prospective partners should demonstrate connection to Indigenous communities, alignment with IMF's reconciliation and health goals, and capacity to support participants. The Foundation values lived experience, cultural knowledge, and demonstrated commitment to First Nations peoples.

Giving Philosophy

IMF operates as a direct service provider rather than a traditional grant-making foundation. Their theory of change centers on using running as a vehicle for Indigenous empowerment, health improvement, and leadership development. They believe in creating pathways for Indigenous Australians to achieve extraordinary goals (completing major international marathons), which then ripple through families and communities. They value cultural celebration, holistic wellbeing, and building role models who inspire others.

ACNC Financial History

YearGrants GivenRevenueTotal AssetsNet Assets
FY2023
$233K
$2.3M$3.2M$2.6M
FY2022
$290K
$2.3M$3.1M$2.3M
FY2021
$2.2M$3.7M$2.6M
FY2020
$1.8M$3.4M$2.3M
FY2019
$2.3M$3.1M$2.6M
FY2018
$1.2M
$2.0M$2.7M$2.6M
FY2017
$1.2M
$1.9M$2.7M$2.5M
7yr total$2.9MSource: ACNC Annual Information Statements

Programs & Opportunities (1)

1 open · sorted by deadline · last checked 26 April 2026 (52 days ago)

FrontRunners Grants

Grantopen

Grants to support local Indigenous running and walking initiatives across Australia

Grants in Database (1)

Focus Areas

educationindigenous
Geographic
AU-National
Recipients
youthageddisadvantageddisabilityrural remoteindigenous

Financial Details

Source of Wealth
The foundation was established by Robert de Castella, who accumulated wealth through his athletics career as a world champion marathon runner (world record holder 1981, Australian of the Year 1983) and subsequent business ventures including SmartStart for Kids and Your Bread Company. IMF raises operational funds primarily through philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and individual donations rather than an endowed foundation.

Board & Leadership

ACNC
ACNC
ACNC
Peter Gordon
director
ACNC
ACNC
ACNC
Linked from structured person roles rather than unstructured foundation summary text.

Data Sources

Profile quality: low
Foundation profile updated: 26 April 2026 (52 days ago)
Grant/program scan updated: 26 April 2026 (52 days ago)
Program discovery is newer than the foundation profile summary.
Website pages scraped: 5
Added: 27 February 2026 (110 days ago)
View on ACNC Register →