Community First Development
is a First Nations led
community development
& research organisation
We back the aspirations of First Peoples through community-led solutions.
WELCOME!
We work with 100s of communities across Australia on their top priorities, providing community development expertise and access to cross-industry specialised skills.
Our Approach
Our approach to working with First Nations communities is based on self-determination.
Strengthening On-Country Healing
Karen Reys knows the importance of healing and connection to Country. Karen founded CEED Healing with her sisters, Sue and Jennifer. CEED Healing creates culturally grounded spaces where people reconnect with culture, story and Country and build respectful relationships. Your gift will help Community First Development support organisations like CEED Healing, so their work can continue to grow.
Wondering about our impact?
Check out our Annual Report, an independent socio-economic impact assessment by ACIL Allen, and our latest research report on Redefining Wealth.
Add your voice to our message wall
We’re enjoying the messages of support flooding in!
We’re gathering the memories, milestones, and reflections that show the strength of self-determination, community, culture, and connection.
Whether you’ve partnered with us, volunteered, or simply believe in the power of First Nations’ community-led change, your message matters.
25 years.
1000+ communities.
Countless stories of change.
See our impact come to life in our interactive map.
Discover how every pin tells a story of partnership, cultural strength, and community-led change.
Our new Right Way Evaluation guide!
Too often, monitoring and evaluation overlook the cultural and historical context, missing what really matters to First Nations’ communities. Our guide offers a culturally responsive approach, grounded in self-determination, community leadership, and strengths-based practice.
Some of the communities we work with
First Nations Traffic Management
Create employment opportunities for First Nations people with a unique two-way approach.
Support we provided:
Tender writing and development support.
Wandarrah Preschool & Community Centre
An early childhood hub focusing on cultural education.
Support we provided:
Developing a strategic plan.
Murri’s on the Move
Supports their mob to get their learners and full provisional driving licence.
Support we provided:
Strengthen their governance, admin, and financial capabilities.
Yurrampi Child and Family Centre
To support families to ‘grow children up strong’.
Support we provided:
Brand development.
We need your support to continue this work
Your gift supports First Nations-led community development with communities across Australia.
See our Community Development Framework!
This guide brings together over 20 years of experience and practical guidance on developing strong and productive partnerships with First Nations’ organisations, businesses and communities.
Closing the Gap
We have and continue to contribute to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. There is a strong alignment between our Story of Change outcomes areas and the Closing the Gap socio-economic outcomes areas.
