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.
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- 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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Ahmad is achieving big things at university – and his sponsor is right beside him

Sponsored students

07 March 2022

I was born here in Australia, a few years after my parents arrived from Iraq. When I was seven, my dad died. Financially, life was very hard for mum after that. She didn’t really understand the language and she was a single parent to five children.

From primary school onwards, The Smith Family was always there for me. I was sponsored and mum had financial help to cover my education essentials. Mum always took up the learning support opportunities that were available thanks to my sponsor. These helped me a lot.

I hoped to get into law after high school. Mum didn’t know about university or the corporate world so it was hard for her to give me careers guidance. As a part of the sponsorship, I was offered to join the iTrack online mentoring program in high school. This was my first point of contact with someone who understood this world. My mentor Steven was a lawyer. He was very helpful and taught me the qualities I’d need to achieve my career goals.

Unfortunately, my ATAR score wasn’t high enough for law. But I was accepted into a Bachelor of Business, which can be a stepping-stone to law. I’m in my second year of university. My sponsor has been there for me the whole time, generously funding my Smith Family Tertiary Scholarship. Higher education in Australia isn’t cheap. Costs can really accumulate. My scholarship helps cover the hefty price of textbooks and other study costs, so I don’t miss out and my study doesn’t suffer.

Sponsorship also means I get crucial career support from my Learning for Life Tertiary Coordinator, Mathias. Recently, Mathias encouraged me to apply for a law firm internship and I was successful! His advice has also helped me get a casual job at a multinational professional services firm. He’s been amazing.

My sponsor has had a massive impact on my life. Over the years, they have treated me like family and I’m truly grateful.