Telstra Foundation

Right now 10,000 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
  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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The Smith Family and Telstra Foundation have joined forces to help bridge the digital divide for thousands of young Australians experiencing disadvantage.

It’s now vital that every Australian child has access to a reliable device, internet, and digital skills support. Without these educational essentials, children in today’s classrooms can struggle to engage at school, complete their homework and assignments, and access online learning.

In 2025, we launched a five-year strategic partnership with Telstra Foundation focused on ensuring students transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7 on our Learning for Life program have access to a laptop at this pivotal educational transition point.

Together, we’re building a sustainable ecosystem to deliver refurbished laptops to more students, helping them engage with their education and build the digital confidence that is essential for future success. With Telstra Foundation’s support, The Smith Family is investing in the systems, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to scale device delivery sustainably, ensuring lasting impact for students in need.

Telstra Foundation is playing a pivotal role in the creation of our Digital Skills Enhancement Project, which is designed to empower families with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the online world safely.

Telstra Foundation’s commitment to digital inclusion is helping us create a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Find out more about Telstra Foundation here.

Interested in a tailored partnership built on shared value? Get in touch about a corporate partnership with The Smith Family today.