About Us
Many Rivers is a for-purpose organisation that supports people and communities to access the economy – on their own terms.
We work alongside individuals and Communities who face barriers to traditional business support, helping them build sustainable businesses and create long-term economic opportunity.
What We Do
We support people to start, grow and sustain businesses – and communities to build strong, local economies.
Our work focuses on two areas:
Business Support
Community Support
Why It Matters
- Build financial independence
- Create jobs and local opportunities
- Reduce reliance on welfare
- Strengthen their Communities
- Shape their own future
We take a hands-on approach.
That means:
- Working one-on-one with clients and Communities
- Providing practical, tailored support
- Being present in the Communities we serve
- Building trusted relationships over time
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach, we work alongside people to find what works for them.
Our support is built on a simple principle:
We work with people and Communities – not for them.
We focus on building the skills, confidence and capability needed for long-term success, rather than short-term outcomes.
- Local presence in communities across Australia
- Practical, hands-on guidance
- A focus on sustainable economic outcomes
- Support that builds independence, not reliance
Our Programs
We deliver our work through three core programs: Microenterprise Development (MED), Small Business Development (SBD) and Community Economic Development (CED).
Supporting people to start, sustain and grow their own businesses.
Our Microenterprise Development program works with people who face barriers to starting or growing a business, including limited access to finance and traditional business support.
Many Rivers Business Coaches work one-on-one with clients, providing practical support across areas such as business planning, cashflow, bookkeeping, market research, registration, customers and suppliers.
Where appropriate, clients may also be able to access microfinance to help start or grow their business.
Our support is tailored to help people build the skills, confidence and capability to create sustainable businesses and greater economic independence for themselves and their families.
Helping established Indigenous businesses grow, strengthen and create employment.
Our Small Business Development program works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners who are already operating a business and are ready to take their next steps towards growth.
Over a period of up to three years, Small Business Development Coaches provide tailored and structured support including business assessments, business health checks, strategic planning and identifying opportunities for growth.
Businesses can also be supported to develop practical business tools, connect with professional services and access small business loans to support growth initiatives.
The focus is on helping business owners strengthen their operations, make informed decisions and pursue sustainable growth – including opportunities to increase revenue and create employment.
Working alongside Indigenous communities to create sustainable local economic opportunities.
Our Community Economic Development program works with regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that want to establish or grow economic activity on their land.
CED Managers work closely with community organisations and their elected boards and management, building trusted relationships and developing a deep understanding of each community’s history, culture, strengths, challenges and goals.
Rather than following a rigid process, support is tailored to the priorities of each community. This can include strengthening governance and management, improving organisational capability, identifying viable businesses and employment opportunities, and developing practical, achievable plans for economic development.
CED relationships are long term, with Many Rivers working alongside communities for an average of five years.
The aim is to build the capability and capacity for communities to increasingly govern, manage and pursue their own economic goals independently – with plans developed and implemented with the community, not for the community.
MED, SBD and CED work at different levels – from individuals starting a business, to established Indigenous businesses looking to grow, to community organisations pursuing broader economic opportunities.
What connects them is the way we work: building trusted relationships, providing practical support, developing capability and working alongside people for the long term.
Our role is to support people and communities to build on their strengths, pursue the opportunities they identify and create sustainable pathways towards greater economic independence.
Our Impact
Know someone for Many Rivers?
Help connect people with the support they need to start, grow or strengthen their business.
Partner With Us
Collaborate with us to increase our collective impact and create more opportunities for people across Australia.