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.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Sponsorship motivates Olivia to do her best

Sponsored students

21 May 2019

“I had a very happy but humble upbringing. Mum couldn’t work as she had to look after four kids. My younger sister, Grace, has down syndrome and needs extra care. Dad was very hardworking but he never finished school, so I guess that's one of the reasons he cared so much about our education,” said Olivia, age 20.

With one modest wage to stretch across a family of six, there wasn’t enough left for school essentials. Thankfully Olivia and her siblings were matched with sponsors early on in primary school. It gave them a great start to their education.

“Sponsorship has been amazing! It meant we could afford things like school books and uniforms. They’re not cheap at all.”

As Olivia moved into high school, the cost of excursions, course materials and uniforms increased. But her sponsors were there for her over the long term. Seeing her sponsors’ generosity inspired Olivia to achieve her best. And when she got into university, ongoing sponsorship made it possible for her to continue her studies.

“Knowing there’s someone out there who really cares about my education is inspiring to me,” said Olivia.

“I'm studying a Bachelor of Music. To gain entry into my university course I needed a score of about 75. I knew I'd be able to achieve that, but nothing stopped me from really pushing myself. And I got 93!

“Now that I'm at university, I can fully appreciate how much sponsorship benefits me. For example, I didn't own my computer until this year. I couldn't have bought it without the sponsorship funds. This was a really big deal for me.”

For many people today, a computer is a standard household item. But 27% of Learning for Life families don’t have access to a computer or tablet with internet in the home. This can hold them back from so many opportunities.Seeing the challenges her family has faced has fuelled Olivia’s desire to help others. And she will never forget how powerful her sponsors’ support has been.

“I’m passionate about music therapy. When my sister, Grace, was young, she had a music therapist who helped her learn how to talk. So that was really special. I definitely believe in music having a healing power,” said Olivia.

“Someday, I would love to be a sponsor– to help another student out there.

“The support from my sponsor has been really helpful. It could have been so different without that support. I’m very grateful for my sponsor’s generosity.”