Our Partners & Collaborators
At the Multicultural Leadership Initiative, we know that creating a climate-safe future cannot be done alone. It takes collaboration, trust, and shared vision across sectors and communities. That’s why we partner with leading organisations, grassroots movements, and philanthropic allies to expand the reach of climate conversations, drive meaningful action, and ensure diverse voices are at the centre of solutions. Together, we’re building bridges of connection and impact — because a safer future depends on all of us.
Normalising Climate Conversations​
​
In early 2024 the Multicultural Leadership Initiative launched an ambitious partnership with Cricket for Climate and the Macdoch Foundation to make the climate conversation accessible to everyday Australians. With 1 in 3 Australians being from racially, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and with Australia's national sport, cricket, having over 8 million fans; the partnership will the expand the reach of the climate conversation to build a broad based social mandate for a climate safe future. This ambitious project is made possible with the support and partnership of the Macdoch Foundation.
​
HeatWise Communities​
​
As our planet continues to experience rising temperatures triggered by human caused carbon emissions, so too does the suffering take its toll on communities. Whether its those who experience the urban heat island effect or rural and regional areas who wrestle with draught. The Multicultural Leadership Initiative co-founded this growing alliance of organisations to tackle the mitigating adaption work necessary to combat this edge of climate change. The co-founding organisations are:
​
Exp​anding and Diversifying Climate Philanthropy
​
Less than 7% of overall charitable giving goes to environmental protection. Yet climate change is the single biggest existential threat to humanity. To accelerate the overall pathway towards a climate safe future, there needs to be greater targeted investment in underrepresented voices, without which a broad social mandate for climate solutions cannot be achieved thus casting climate policy debates into the realm of endless political football. The Multicultural Leadership Initiative is proud to work alongside our philanthropic partners to build this bridge -- for all our sake.
​
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
The Multicultural Leadership Initiative supports a growing eco-system of climate organisations founded or led by racially, culturally or linguistically diverse leaders through our Incubation & Acceleration Program.
​
Each leadership journey is individually tailored to the needs of the Founder, CEO or Chair through 4 pillars: Strategy Development, Organisational Development, Coaching & Mentoring, Funding & Fundraising.
Eco-systems we Support
"Being a part of the MLI cohort has connected me to so many other wonderful leaders working on climate justice. I appreciate MLI's commitment to connecting leaders together, and providing the resources to support with fundraising and operational challenges, which will help boost Tomorrow Movement's ability to have impact."
Desiree Cai - National Director, Tomorrow Movement
"Being part of this transformative program and cohort has been invaluable for Climates. MLI has provided ongoing mentoring and financial support which has increased our capacity to achieve our goals of building the resilience of frontline communities to climate change."
Farema Yazdi - Co-Director, Climates
"When I founded AAFCS, I had a vision of what I wanted our organisation to achieve, but I did not quite know how to get us there. MLI has been an amazing mentor; providing us with guidance and support so we could get on with our advocacy work and accelerate our impact."
Dr. Corinne Ang - Founding CEO, Asian Australians for Climate Solutions (AAFCS)
"Thanks to the Multicultural Leadership Initiative, Divers for Climate has finally found its sea legs. The guidance and mentorship of the MLI team have made navigating the choppy waters of leading a non-profit, particularly as young women of colour, a little less daunting."
Dr. Yolanda Waters - Founding CEO, Divers for Climate
The Pillars of Incubation & Acceleration
These four pillars form the foundation of our incubation and acceleration model. Together, they nurture emerging leaders, amplify trusted voices, and mobilise the resources needed to drive climate action across diverse communities.
Strategy Development
Co-designing your group's pathway for the change you seek in the world.
Coaching & Mentoring
Regular 1 to 1 and peer support from MLI and our eco-system of partners.
Organisational Development
Cultivating your talent and provision of financial, legal and compliance support.
Funding & Fundraising
Provision of enabling grants as well as support in seeking further funding.
Apply to the Incubation & Acceleration Program​
​
By filling out this Expression of Interest, you’ll be joining a growing ecosystem of leaders reshaping climate action. Once submitted, our team will review your application and connect with you to discuss your needs across strategy, organisational development, coaching, or fundraising. Together, we’ll co-design a tailored pathway to help accelerate your leadership journey.