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.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Smith Family stories

Hearing firsthand from the disadvantaged children and families we support is the best way to learn how our work, and your contribution, is making a difference.

We ask our students and their families to tell us how we have helped them so we can share their experiences and stories with you.

We also like to share stories from our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, staff and corporate partners, who all make our learning support and mentoring programs possible through their generousity and commitment to our cause.

Group of children around a table

Smith Family stories

Meet students on our programs

Hear from some of the children and their families who have received support through The Smith Family programs.
Meet our sponsored students

Hear from our sponsored students as they talk about the way in which support through sponsorship has given them the opportunity to fit in and catch up at school.
Meet our Learning for Life staff

Our Learning for Life coordinators are on the ground in 91 communities across Australia, working hard to ensure disadvantaged children and their families get the help they need.
Meet our supporters

Thousands of caring Australians give generously to help us support disadvantaged children, see why some of our supporters contribute to our work.
Meet our volunteers

Last year, 5,162 volunteers donated 108,341 hours of support to help disadvantaged Australian children get the most out of their education and create a better future for themselves.
Hear from Doug Taylor and the executive team

CEO Doug Taylor and The Smith Family Executive Team share their updates and published op-eds.
Meet our fundraisers

Hear from the inspiring individuals who raise funds for The Smith Family through their own friends and family.
Tales of the One in Six

Is an animated web series based on the real stories of Australian children from disadvantaged backgrounds who struggle daily with the effects of financial hardship.
Subscribe to Your Support, Real Impact e-newsletter

Experience real life results, meet children on our programs and discover more Smith Family stories – subscribe to ‘Your Support, Real Impact’.
Listen to The Smith Family podcasts

Practical solutions. Expert insights. Firsthand stories. Discover how poverty and disadvantage hold young people back at school and beyond – and what we can do to change that.

drawing of 2 chat bubbles

Subscribe to Your Support, Real Impact, our quarterly e-newsletter with firsthand stories from some of the children and families we support.

Subscribe now