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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Generous volunteers make Christmas special

Volunteers

24 December 2018

The Smith Family was founded in 1922 when five businessmen delivered gifts to orphans on Christmas Eve.

While today the charity’s year round focus is on providing long–term educational support for disadvantaged children, giving toys and books at Christmas is an ongoing part of The Smith Family's identity.

Thanks to over 2,000 generous volunteers, last year we were able to deliver toys and books to 20,000 children before Christmas Day.

As the number of students and families grow, so does the scale of this project – and it really is the case that the delivery of those gifts – to families in need wouldn’t be possible without all those extra hands and hours of donated time.

our 2018 volunteers delivering joy at christmas — Our 2018 volunteers delivering joy at Christmas.

“Each year, delivery day just gets bigger and better, with everyone working together and sharing a wonderful sense of community. It really gives that that true sense of - 'It’s only Christmas when we share it.” – The Smith Family CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien.

“Taking part in our annual Toy and Book delivery is such a special occasion for me every year,”

“This year it really got me thinking about connection. On so many levels during that day we connected – with our volunteers, our team members, the media, the public and of course with our children and families.”

“But importantly, we connected with the very core of what makes us human. The act of giving, the selfless act of helping those who need our help – this was the invisible thread that tied us together on the day. We were all of us, for a brief few hours, in this together... and what a powerful feeling it was!”

We really couldn’t have the impact we do without the hours of time donated by our army of volunteers.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, effort and skills.