Help provide vital educational support to 11,705 Australian children this Christmas.

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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Child Sponsorship
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Heidi's story

Students on programs

08 October 2015

As a single mum with two kids and few family members to turn to for help, Heidi struggled to provide her children with the school essentials they needed.

Through access to sponsorship and programs, Heidi doesn’t have to worry about her children missing out at school.

"It's really great to have somebody there to support you and help you through it all," Heidi said.

Heidi's Story

It’s been a great relief to know there are kind people out there willing to help people that are struggling.

Heidi, mum

"The help from The Smith Family means my daughter actually has a school uniform. I remember being in school and not being able to have them. People get picked on if you are different. [The sponsorship has helped a great deal because [my daughter] is more confident,” says Heidi.

“It’s been a great relief to know there are kind people out there willing to help people that are struggling," Heidi said.

Now that her son is old enough for school, Heidi would like to study and find work as a teacher’s assistant. She recently participated in The Smith Family’s Tech Packs course which helped her to improve her computer skills. It also gave her the confidence to begin an online training course.

“I wanted to do the Tech Packs course to gain better knowledge of the computer. It has helped so much.” says Heidi.

Now I can use the computer to help my kids as well. They can look things up for school and it helps my daughter with her reading.

Heidi, mum

“Now I can use the computer to help my kids as well. They can look things up for school and it helps my daughter with her reading,” says Heidi.

"I'm eternally grateful. I can't express how grateful I am. There are no words to describe how much easier my life has been with this support."