Monthly Donor | Break the cycle of poverty

3,595 children urgently need support before they head back to school.

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
  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
- 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.
- Corporate partnerships
  Corporate partnerships give young Australians in need the chance to change their futures through educational support. Discover how you can join forces with The Smith Family to create a mutually-beneficial, impactful partnership.
- 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 13,000 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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Help children like Leah* break the cycle of poverty

Right across Australia, thousands of children are growing up in poverty, and their education is at risk. Your support can help change that.

Like every child, Leah has so much potential. But living with poverty means that no matter how hard she tries, she’s struggling to keep up in class.

Without extra support, children like Leah risk falling further behind at school. This can limit their options for further study and job prospects.

Together, we can help change their story.

Join our community of monthly donors, helping thousands of young Australians get the ongoing learning support they need to catch up, finish school and have a real chance to break the cycle.

Girl looking at camera sitting at classroom desk

Help more children reach their potential with proven learning programs

Research shows that early intervention, as well as balanced, ongoing support throughout their education, can improve outcomes for students living with disadvantage.¹

Your monthly donation helps enable our programs to reach many more Australian children in Leah’s position – giving them access to our evidence-based, out-of-school learning and mentoring support at every stage of their education. Here are just some of the life-changing programs that our monthly givers make possible:

How your monthly gift helps

student2student

Our student2student program works by matching students who need to improve their literacy skills with trained reading buddies to build their confidence.
Learning Clubs

Our out-of-school Learning Clubs provide a supportive environment for students to catch up, improve their skills and get tailored learning support from caring volunteer tutors.
Passport Program

Children in Year 6 are empowered to learn crucial, practical skills to help them transition to high school successfully and be prepared for the next stage of their school journey.

94%

of students improved their reading through the student2student reading program.²
84%

of students of students said that attending Learning Clubs helps them do better in class.³
80%

of students said they learned skills that would help them in high school.⁴

You can give children like Leah a chance to build a better future for themselves

As a Champion, you can help Australian children overcome the obstacles poverty puts in their way by providing the extra support they need at every stage - from preschool to Year 12 and beyond. This helps them build a future that would otherwise be out of reach, yet every child deserves.

Educational Stage Infographic — Proven support at every learning stage helps children build a path to a better future.

Donate now

Will you be a champion?

With your ongoing support, you’ll be joining a special group of people who are steadfast Champions for Australian children in need. Will you please provide this ongoing learning support to give children the chance to make the most of their education and achieve all they are capable of?

Last year champions helped

56,131

children were supported with early childhood programs that improve reading confidence and numeracy skills so they can start school with a strong learning foundation.
2,421

students were offered places Learning Clubs that help students stay motivated and engage better in class.
9,623

students were provided with career advice and mentoring support so they can navigate employment opportunities and build a successful career.

Why you should give monthly

More support to more children in need

Every child deserves the chance to achieve their best, but for children growing up in disadvantage, poverty is blocking their way. Your monthly gift will reach more Australian children, giving them the crucial early learning support they need to have the best chance of completing their education and fulfilling their potential.

More convenient for you

Make a monthly tax-deductible donation of your choice that can be modified at any time. Access your payment history online and get one end-of-year tax receipt. It keeps admin costs down and is more convenient for you.

Make a lasting impact as a Champion

By giving monthly and becoming a Champion, you’re helping us to plan and deliver programs across a child’s education journey. You’ll receive regular news of students whose lives you’ve helped change and the long-term impact of your support.

FAQs About Monthly Donations

What are the methods I can use to donate?

Where does my money go?

Why should I donate monthly and become a Champion

Is my donation tax deductible

How do I obtain a donation receipt?

I have other questions who can I speak to

Our stories

Other ways to give

drawing of a gift box wrapped with red and white striped wrapping paper and tied with a red ribbon forming a bow at the top. The box and bow are outlined in blue

Not ready to give monthly?

A one-off generous gift from you today will help provide crucial educational support to disadvantaged students.

Donate now

* Names and images have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.
¹James Heckman and Flavio Cunha, (2007).
²The Smith Family (2020) student2student Outcomes Summary.
³The Smith Family (2019) Learning Clubs evaluation report..
⁴The Smith Family (2023) Passport to Success Outcomes Summary.

Popular Searches

Help children like Leah* break the cycle of poverty

Help more children reach their potential with proven learning programs

How your monthly gift helps

student2student

Learning Clubs

Passport Program

94%

84%

80%