Salty Monkeys
Salty Monkeys is a brand deeply rooted in culture, adventure, and ocean conservation. They
combine high-quality apparel and dive products featuring collaborations with Indigenous artists,
reflecting their heritage and unique connection to the sea.
Salty Monkeys is a First Nations owned and operated business. Beyond their apparel they strive to do more for the oceans and planet, which is why they’ve created the Marine Debris Task force to collect data from community beach clean-ups, and work with professionals to spark innovative solutions.
2024 Pitch
Funds Raised: $85,600
Pitched for funding which would significantly enhance their general operations and support the Marine Debris Task Force (MDTF) initiatives. Specifically, it will contribute towards wages for a full-time employee, enabling them to manage and execute clean-up operations effectively and facilitate community engagement.
6 Month Impact
12 Month Impact
The support received through TFN has helped strengthen several areas of Salty Monkeys’ work across the Torres Strait, supporting both their environmental initiatives and creative community opportunities.
Part of the funding was used to expand the capacity of the Marine Debris Task Force (MDTF). This included employing an additional team member who has been developing drone operation skills and assisting with field operations. The role also supports safety supervision during beach clean- ups and contributes to environmental monitoring activities. This has helped strengthen the safety, coordination and overall capability of our field operations while building local skills in emerging technologies.
Funding has also supported the production of a new online series called Island Adventures, which is currently in post-production. The series focuses on ocean adventures across the Torres Strait, sharing stories of the region through exploration, culture and community experiences. The project is designed to build broader awareness of the Torres Strait while strengthening the Salty Monkeys platform and creating new opportunities to showcase the region to a wider audience.
Separately, some funding has been used to help kick-start the journey of a new Torres Strait Islander artist. They supported the purchase of digital art equipment and began working with the artist on developing a new collaborative clothing range through Salty Monkeys. This collaboration is ongoing and aims to help create new opportunities for creative expression and product development.
Impact Story:
A Torres Strait Islander artist approached Salty Monkeys looking for support to begin her digital art career. She is the first female artist to reach out to directly asking for guidance and assistance.
At the time, she had the talent and ideas but did not have the tools needed to create digital artwork. She also felt discouraged after trying to seek support through local organisations, as she was not yet established and found it difficult to access assistance.
Through the support from The Funding Network, Salty Monkeys were able to help purchase an iPad and accessories so she could begin creating digital drawings. This small step made a big difference. Since receiving the equipment, she has already created and sold multiple pieces of artwork and has additional work lined up. Her confidence has grown and she is now actively developing new ideas and expanding her portfolio. They are continuing to work closely with her to develop new artwork for an upcoming Salty Monkeys apparel collaboration. As part of this partnership, we will also run promotional campaigns to help increase her exposure and support the growth of her creative business.
Learn more about Salty Monkeys
Supporting Sustainable Development Goals:
