Telstra (ASX:TLS), through its philanthropic arm, today committed $3.5 million to support five projects driven by Indigenous leaders to improve education, create leadership opportunities and promote cultural pride among young Indigenous Australians, according a statement from the Telstra foundation.

The funding was announced by Telstra Foundation chairman Herb Elliott AC MBE, and Telstra CEO, David Thodey, at an event at Queensland University of Technology with Indigenous leaders, and school children who have benefited from past Telstra Foundation funding.

"It's our great pleasure to announce funding for projects headed up by these visionary Indigenous leaders, and our expectation is that their communities will reap success by enabling their youth to reach their full potential," Mr Elliott said.

"It is imperative that all children in Australia today have the education, support and opportunity to succeed in their lives. Three years ago the Telstra Foundation supported Dr Chris Sarra at QUT's Stronger Smarter Institute to help overcome the low educational expectations of Indigenous students. We are proud that this program has tipped the educational balance to a point where school and communities work together, where despair has changed to hope and there are no more excuses for under-performance," Mr Elliott said.

Mr Thodey said that recognising and supporting innovative leadership was essential, both in the community and in business.

"I am proud that the Telstra Foundation is working with such a wonderful group of Australian community leaders on these important initiatives to help support and develop Indigenous communities around Australia," Mr Thodey said.

The announcement brings Telstra Foundation's investment in Indigenous Australia to $12.5 million over seven years, and fulfils a funding commitment made in Telstra's 2010 Reconciliation Action Plan.