A year ago, Impact100 Sydney members gathered to cast their votes for our 2024 grant recipient. The decision was clear: Bandu, an organisation dedicated to supporting First Nations students through their educational journey and into meaningful careers, would receive our collective $100,000 grant.
Twelve months on, we’re thrilled to share what that investment has meant—not just in numbers, though they’re remarkable, but in the lives changed and futures transformed.
We asked Bandu to reflect on the past year and tell us how the grant has shaped their work. What they shared with us demonstrates the ripple effect that collective giving can create when it meets vision, dedication, and urgent community need.
Here’s what Bandu had to say:
The support of Impact100 Sydney has been truly transformative for Bandu. In the twelve months since receiving the grant, we’ve grown from supporting 74 First Nations students to over 130 across 17 partner schools and multiple universities. Every one of our post-school participants is now either employed or completing a tertiary qualification, an outcome that sits in stark contrast to national averages.
The funding contributed directly to the employment of a full-time Aboriginal Engagement Officer, who works in the face-to-face support of our growing number of students. At the time of winning the grant, we had one Bandu House. We now have four, and the grant allowed us to meet that need immediately so our young apprentices could move in and commence their careers. We have over 60 students finishing Year 12 this year, and our overall student number will exceed 200 by January 2026.
Beyond all of this, Impact100 Sydney was a catalyst for us gaining access to (and securing) a significant amount of other grant funding. It is unequivocal that the due diligence undertaken, and the stellar reputation of Impact100 in the philanthropic space, served as a quality control measure for other funds, organisations and individuals who are now major supporters and members of the Bandu Community. Call it correlation or causation, either way, our revenue has exploded, growing nearly eightfold since the Impact100 Sydney grant.
Impact100 Sydney’s support has not only expanded our capacity but strengthened our credibility. Together, we’re building a future where every First Nations student has the support, networks and opportunities to thrive in higher education, employment and life.
If you would like to learn more about Impact100 Sydney come along and attend their 2025 Grant Pitch night on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 6.30pm regsiter here.
“Impact100’s support has not only expanded our capacity but strengthened our credibility.
Together, we’re building a future where every First Nations student has the support, networks and opportunities to thrive in higher education, employment and life.”
Edward Morgan
Founder, Managing Director – Bandu
