Our story
Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to creating inclusive communities that uplift vulnerable individuals and their families.
Inspiring brighter futures, one life at a time since 2009
Through our wellbeing mentoring programs, we inspire and empower people to move their lives onward and upward.
Established in 2009 by educators, business leaders, and community members, we began by providing financial support to young people in regional Queensland, Victoria, and Sydney. Over the years, our impact has grown.
2010
Commenced mentoring and values-based goal setting programs at BBC with first nations students boarding from Aurukun, Doomadgee, Hopevale and Thursday Island.
2011
Continued the mentoring programs and commenced private tutoring program for the same cohort to help them succeed with their schoolwork. Commenced the annual Fair Go Touch Carnival which saw teams from Boystown play Sandgate SHS, Moreton Bay College, Villanova College, Churchie, St Peters, St Laurences College, Lourdes Hill College, John Paul College and Ipswich Grammar. The annual carnival ran for 10 years straight at Villanova College’s grounds and then John Paul College.
2012
Continued the mentoring programs with students being supported by Boystown from Capalaba SCS, Alexandra Hills SHS, Cleveland SHS,
2013
Funded the launch of Digi Youth Arts, now a thriving Indigenous youth arts company.
Expanded programs across South East Queensland, helping participants break cycles of unemployment and build brighter futures.
2016
Commenced working with DV Survivors in Logan, where we have continuously provided programs.
2017
Employed our first employee, Prue Long and commenced school programs at Nambour SHS and Ipswich with Bundamba SHS students.
2018
Commenced the Onwards & Upwards Leadership Program called Lads / Ladies to Leaders.
2019
Expanded our school programs into Redland City, Logan, Moreton Bay City, Toowoomba.
2020
Partnered with organisations nationally, launching a corporate program to extend our reach.
2021
Rebranded as Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, previously Fair Go Australia, to better reflect our mission and vision. Employed our second staff member – John Godwin as CEO, along with 3 other staff throughout the year. Released the IBFF Facilitator manual.
2022
Secured Safer Communities funding to expand programs addressing youth crime, school disengagement, and mental health challenges through early intervention and community-based initiatives.
2023
Partnered with DEWR and Workforce Australia to implement the Onwards & Upwards To a Job program, providing tailored mentoring and support for unemployed individuals transitioning into meaningful work. Started programs in Townsville at Heatley SC.
2024
Extended our Onwards & Upwards to a Job program in five regions in Queensland – Wivenhoe, Logan, Gold Coast, Townsville and Mt Isa. Extended our programs in Townsville to six schools and to schools in Mt Isa. IBFF has programs in eight Queensland cities – Brisbane, Mt Isa, Townsville, Moreton Bay City, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands City, Gold Coast. IBFF has 6 employees, 478 active mentors and 45 facilitators.
Looking ahead, a future filled with hope and possibility
Looking ahead, we aim to further extend our impact to at-risk youth and their families to build stronger communities by 2026. Our goals include replicating Safer Communities funding and achieving sustainability as a social enterprise through robust business processes, systems, and governance.
Get in touch with us to get onwards and upwards
We'd love to explore how we can work together to inspire brighter futures.
Contact us
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, work and visit. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
© 2025 Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation
Website by Slick