Right now 15,000 children are urgently waiting for sponsors.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
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Shiva is now one of the top students

Students on programs

01 April 2019

When Shiva was six years old, he and his mum ﬂed to Australia from an Indian refugee camp seeking a better life. Starting school in a new country was challenging.

"I couldn’t speak a word of English. It was just the two of us with no other family support,” said Shiva.

“When we first arrived my grades were Ds and a few Cs. Mum wasn’t able to help with my studies.”

Many disadvantaged children start school already behind. Without access to early learning experiences and resources, they often feel like they can’t keep up with what’s going on in class. As each year passes, without support the gap can widen between these children and their classmates.

That’s why supporters like you are so important. By providing vital learning and mentoring programs, you give children in need the chance to make the most of their education. For Shiva, that support changed everything.

“The Smith Family provides programs to help improve my studies. Student2student gave me the extra support with my reading.

“And thanks to Learning Club, I understand my homework. If you’re struggling with something, you can just ask the tutor. You don’t have to feel shy or worried. They’ve helped me most with English and maths. Now I can complete my homework in one day instead of five.

“I’m one of the top students in Year 6, and School Captain!

“The help from my teachers and The Smith Family has inspired me to become a teacher. I also want to be a student buddy and help other kids learn to read, like they helped me. My mum is so proud – she’s always smiling now. She sees a better future for us now thanks to the Smith Family support.”

In two years, my reading age went from eight to 12.