JANA enlisted to advise on $655m indigenous investment initiative

Aboriginal Investment NT (AINT), a pioneering Indigenous Australian-led commercial and philanthropic investment program, has selected JANA to support the development of its $655 million Commercial Investment Portfolio (CIP).

JANA, a leading Australian asset consultancy, announced it has been enlisted to support AINT in “stewarding its capital through a tailored investment strategy designed to meet the organisation’s goals”.

The CIP comprises two funds: a Community Ready Fund, focused on grants and community-led initiatives, and the Future Fund, a high-return, wealth-building fund.

The Community Ready Fund, in addition to its community project focus, is designed to provide on-the-ground support to Aboriginal-owned businesses, organisations, communities and projects across the Northern Territory. The community-focused fund has a one to three-year investment horizon with an initial allocation of $155 million.

The longer-term focused Future Fund is designed to build intergenerational Aboriginal wealth and wellbeing, as well as providing self-sufficient and sustainable capital for future use through the Community Ready Fund. The Future Fund has an allocation of $500 million and 10-year plus investment horizon.

Established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, AINT is a Corporate Commonwealth Entity with a statutory objective to promote the self-management, economic self-sufficiency, and social and cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory through investment and capital allocation initiatives.

AINT chief executive Nigel Browne hailed JANA’s appointment as “a major step” in its strategic objectives, reinforcing a “diversified, risk-controlled investment strategy that aligns with our values, supports our legislative purpose, and demonstrates the power of Aboriginal-led capital deployment.”

JANA chief executive Georgina Dudley said the consultancy was “honoured” to partner with the community-aligned investment initiative.

“The organisation’s vision of intergenerational prosperity, built on Aboriginal values and governance, is both powerful and deeply aligned with JANA’s commitment to supporting purpose-led investors.”

“Together, we aim to shape a strategy that delivers long-term, sustainable outcomes for communities across the Northern Territory.”

JANA said its appointment reflects its “deep experience” advising not-for-profit and values-driven investors across Australia and New Zealand.

The company boasts more than $1.5 trillion in assets under advice.