Sibling alumni spotlight funding challenges for Indigenous organisations
CQUniversity alumni and siblings Maria and Sam Raciti have combined academic research and real-world community leadership to shine a light on a challenge facing Indigenous organisations across Australia: how to create lasting change when funding cycles are short and uncertain.
The brother-sister duo recently co-authored a paper published in the Journal of Social Impact in Business Research, exploring the impact of short-term funding and political cycles on Indigenous community-controlled organisations.
For Maria Raciti, CQUniversity's first Indigenous PhD graduate, the research grew from conversations about the practical realities Indigenous organisations face when trying to deliver long-term outcomes.
"The idea came from the day-to-day experience of Mudth-Niyleta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation in Sarina," Maria said. "Building trust and creating meaningful change takes time, but funding often only lasts one to three years. We wanted to bring that issue into the open, connect what practitioners were experiencing with the research, and start a conversation about better ways forward."
The paper argues that while governments and funding bodies often prioritise short-term, measurable outcomes, lasting social change requires stability, strong relationships and sustained investment.
"The main message is that lasting social change needs time," Maria explained. "Longer, more flexible funding gives organisations the stability to keep doing the work well."
For Sam Raciti, CEO of Mudth-Niyleta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation and a 2015 Bachelor of Accounting graduate, the topic is deeply connected to his everyday work.
"My professional career navigates this challenge every day," he said.
Sam said the research helps identify barriers affecting Indigenous organisations and supports conversations about more collaborative funding models.
"We need a whole-of-government approach where community organisations can present long-term service and infrastructure plans, and government departments work together to support those priorities," he said.
The publication brought together Maria's research expertise and Sam's experience leading community-based initiatives in regional Queensland.
"The paper provided an overview of a real-life challenge," Sam said. "Combining academic research with practical community experience strengthened the publication and helped demonstrate the impact these issues have on organisations delivering services on the ground."
While the pair share a publication credit, they also share a family connection.
"My co-author Sam Raciti is my brother," Maria said. "The article grew from many conversations about the practical realities he sees every day, my similar experiences in the research space and our shared interest in creating lasting benefits."
Sam said collaborating with his younger sister was a career highlight.
"I have known Maria all her life, and many people are incredibly impressed by her professional achievements," he said. "To collaborate with her on this paper was a lifelong ambition. I'm not only her biggest fan, I'm also her big brother."
Maria completed her Bachelor, Honours and PhD through CQUniversity and said the University played a key role in shaping her career.
"CQUniversity gave me the knowledge, skills and confidence to create meaningful change," she said. "It was a practical, grounded environment where I built strong networks and learned to connect research with real-world issues."
As CQUniversity's first Indigenous PhD graduate, Maria said continuing to undertake research that benefits communities remains both a privilege and a responsibility.
"Research matters most when it starts with community priorities, respects relationships and makes a practical difference beyond academia," she said.
Sam credits his CQUniversity studies with helping develop the knowledge and professionalism that supports his leadership role today.
He also encourages Indigenous students considering university study to take advantage of opportunities to build their study and collaboration skills before commencing higher education.
Looking ahead, Maria's research continues to focus on Indigenous enterprises, social justice and systems change, including projects examining factors that contribute to Indigenous business success and how Indigenous businesses are represented in the media.
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