Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Philanthropic donations and giving
At The Smith Family, we believe in the unlimited potential of children and young people in our nation. We believe in the great power of education to help young people fully realise their potential, and we believe in the extraordinary generosity of the Australian people.
Those things combined can make an enormous difference.
Watch this video to find out more about what we do, how we help and how your philanthropic giving can play a vital role.
Create better futures through education
If you’d like to explore how you can make a transformational philanthropic donation, family or trust gift, please contact our Philanthropy team by email or call us on 02 9085 7164.
Email us
If you’d like to explore how you can make a transformational philanthropic donation, family or trust gift, please contact our Philanthropy team by email or call us on 02 9085 7164.
The difference your philanthropy can make
In 2023-24, we supported the education of more than 178,430 young people through our programs, but we’re still only reaching 14% of the 1.2 million young Australians living in poverty today.1
We've set an ambitious goal to grow the reach of our evidence-based programs to 250,000 students. And we're not going to rest while there are still children who need our help. But we can't do it alone.
The Smith Family relies on the generosity of philanthropists to sustain our cause, as private donations make up around 84% of our annual income.
Through your philanthropy, you can harness the power of education as a pathway to a better future for young Australians in need.
The power of education
All children deserve the chance to do well in school and to grow into happy, successful adults. But some children don’t have the essentials for their education that all children need.
Research shows that when a child experiences poverty at home, it can flow on to impact other aspects of their life. At school, educational inequality limits a child’s choices – and employment opportunities in adulthood.
We know that education is one of the most powerful change agents. And with your gift, we’ll help young Australians get the extra learning support they need today, to unlock their potential for tomorrow.
Let’s take a stand. Together, we’ll help create a world where every child has the opportunity to change their future – and build a society that’s more inclusive and prosperous for all.
We lead the way by following the evidence
Evidence underpins everything we do at The Smith Family.
We draw on 100 years of experience, thousands of personal stories, extensive data and best practice from Australia and around the world, to continually assess and improve how we work – and how we help.
This approach keeps us at the forefront of the conversation around poverty and the transformative power of education – and gives philanthropists like you the clarity and confidence to generate the highest impact.
We use our unique longitudinal data and research to inform our practice and programs. This, in turn, enables us to achieve better outcomes for the young people we support and their families. Read our recent research reports.
Help change tomorrows with your philanthropic gift
All children deserve the chance to do well in school and to grow into happy, successful adults. But some children don’t have the essentials for their education that all children need.
Alternatively, you can choose to provide flexible funding which allows us to direct the funds to where they are most needed.
You can support the education of children and young people in need across the country.
We’re on the ground in 91 communities, working with 799 partner schools in every State and Territory.
You can support the education of children and young people in need across the country.
We’re on the ground in 91 communities, working with 799 partner schools in every State and Territory.
Get the full picture of the difference you're making
We continually track the progress of the children and young people supported through our programs, and the positive impact you’re having in our communities.
From data on completion rates through secondary school and transition into further study, to close-ups on the results of our learning programs, you’ll be able to see first-hand the impact of your contribution.
We’re also committed to making the most of every single dollar we receive, ensuring the best use of the funds you entrust to us. In the five years to June 2023, 72% of donations from our supporters went straight into our community programs – allowing us to provide the most impactful programs for children and young people around Australia.
This allocation is just one measure of our effectiveness. Another critical dimension is the positive impact our investment in resources and activities has in supporting our long-term program outcomes and sustainability.
For more information, view our Annual Report and Financial Statements.
Start Your Philanthropic Journey
Learn how you can give young Australians an equal chance to thrive at school and beyond. Email or call us on 02 9085 7164.
Email us
Learn how you can give young Australians an equal chance to thrive at school and beyond. Email or call us on 02 9085 7164.
Frequently Asked Questions about Philanthropic Giving
1 Davidson, P; Bradbury, B; and Wong, M (2023), Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected, Poverty and Inequality Partnership Report no. 20. Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW Sydney.
Give to our endowment
The opportunity to support the futures of young Australians in need, not just this year, but for generations to come.
A gift in your will
Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
Become a corporate partner
With your people and our combined passion, together, we can offer many more young Australians the chance to create a better future for themselves.