Right now 8,238 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.
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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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A Learning Club with a difference

24 September 2025

a young woman sitting on a blue bench outside wearing a blue bucket hat, white dress and white crossover bag

Every week, university student Alana spends two joyful hours volunteering as a tutor at her local Learning Club.

Thanks to support like yours, students at our after-school Learning Clubs receive personalised learning support to catch up and keep up with their schoolwork. While most Learning Clubs focus on homework support – with 84% of participants reporting it helps them do better in class¹ – Alana’s takes a more practical approach.

“We teach through cooking,” Alana explains. “Reading recipes develops students’ literacy skills and measuring ingredients helps them understand concepts like volume and weight.”

Alana has a very personal reason for volunteering. “I grew up in a low-income family,” she says. “A lot of things had to go right for me to achieve academically. I feel privileged to give back to less fortunate kids. Especially when I see the difference it makes.”

“There was one girl who was really shy, but she’s now one of the liveliest kids in the group,” Alana adds. “One session, she took the role of teacher, having me spell out different words, then writing them down. She really enjoyed that!”

“Learning Clubs give so many kids access to amazing life-altering opportunities. I want to say a big thank you to all the donors who make that possible.”

Learning Clubs give so many kids access to amazing life-altering opportunities.

Alana, Learning Club Volunteer

Read more student and family stories in our Spring 2025 edition of Your Support, Real Impact.

¹2020The Smith Family Learning Club Program Outcome Report (2024)

Year 8 students unleash their creativity

Leading with Heart: Lucy and the Spirit of Volunteering

How the dedication of Charlotte the volunteer is helping students become proud, confident readers

17 March 2025