Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is an Australian not-for-profit founded in 2011 that works to address the educational disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australian children and young people by providing access to books and literacy programs.

Indigenous Literacy Foundation
PredecessorIndigenous Literacy Project
Formation2011
FounderSuzy Wilson
TypeNonprofit
Purposeliteracy for Indigenous children and young people
HeadquartersUltimo, New South Wales, Australia
Co-Chairperson
Marnie O'Bryan
Co-Chairperson
Tony Dreise
Key people
Ben Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
Mike Milnes, Chief Operating Officer
Award(s)Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, 2024
Websitehttps://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

ILF was set up in 2011, taking over from the Indigenous Literacy Project (ILP) which had been associated with The Fred Hollows Foundation. In 2010 the ILP had raised $607,000.[1] Juliet Rogers, formerly CEO of Murdoch Books, was the inaugural chair.[2]

Patrons of the ILF, as of 2021,[3] are Quentin Bryce AD CVO (appointed February 2015)[4] and June Oscar AO (appointed September 2019).[5]

Lifetime ambassadors of the ILF include Justine Clarke, Andy Griffiths, Kate Grenville, Anita Heiss, Alison Lester, David Malouf and Josh Pyke.[3]

In September 2021 Karen Williams, who had been member of the ILP and executive director of the ILF, stepped down[6] and was replaced by Ben Bowen as Chief Executive Officer, with Mike Milnes appointed Chief Operating Officer.[7]

The ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2024.[8] It was one of several Australian nominees for this award in both 2021 and 2022.[9][10]

Indigenous Literacy Day edit

Each year the ILF organises and promotes Indigenous Literacy Day, held in the first week of September.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "ILP to become independent foundation; Logo competition announced". Books+Publishing. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  2. ^ "New roles for Rogers". Books+Publishing. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b "About the Indigenous Literacy Foundation | ILF history | who is ILF". Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Quentin Bryce joins ILF as its Patron". Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  5. ^ "June Oscar AO to be Co-Patron". Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Williams to step down as ILF commits to First Nations leadership". Books+Publishing. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Milnes appointed ILF COO". Books+Publishing. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Bologna 2024: Indigenous Literacy Foundation Wins Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award". Publishers Weekly. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Six Australian nominees for 2021 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award". Books+Publishing. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Australians nominated for 2022 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award". Books+Publishing. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Indigenous Literacy Day". www.indigenous.gov.au. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2021.