The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative has been an incorporated organisation since 1979. The organisation was established to provide assistance to Aboriginal people in the Ballarat district in areas of health, welfare, childrens services, education and training and housing. Since 1979 the Co-operative has grown considerably and now delivers a range of services in the area of health, welfare, art, culture, education and social well-being. The Co-operative is governed by a Board of seven Directors who are elected by the members of the Co-operative. Funding for the Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative is derived from a number of sources including the Department of Human Services, the Office of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health, the Commonwealth Department of Family Community Services, the ATSIC Tumbukka Regional Council, the City of Ballarat and the Australia Council.