The Smith Family

The Smith Family is proud to join the Coalition of Support for the National Strategy for Volunteering. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Australian communities, and their dedication drives our mission forward. Without our incredible volunteers, much of the impactful work we do at The Smith Family simply wouldn’t be possible at its current scale. Volunteering isn’t just about giving time—it’s about creating lasting social change, building stronger, more inclusive communities, and making a difference in people’s lives. We invite you to stand with us as official supporters of the National Strategy for Volunteering. Together, we can make a difference that lasts. 👉 Learn more and become a supporter here https://bit.ly/3XygzXP

Aspiring young artists showcased their talents using the inspiration of Mexican culture and the artwork of Frida Kahlo at a SmArts ArtCastle program. 🎨 Students explored different aspects of portraiture with references to Pokémon, Anime, and Cosplay. They also crafted their own Alebrijes, traditional Mexican hand-carved wooden animals, both real and fantastical. 🐉 Alebrijes celebrate the magic of creativity and the beauty of a more ethereal and spiritual world. Find out more about how SmArts helps to raise student’s education aspirations and career knowledge of the creative arts at https://bit.ly/3ThKMYv

Nine of Australia’s fundraising and for-purpose leaders — including our own Lisa Allan, FFIA and GAICD — speak candidly about the challenges of tackling misconceptions in the sector, and advocating for funding the full costs of delivering social impact. ”The whole sector has defaulted to an admin ratio as an indicator of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ performance, but research shows it’s a poor measure. Underfunding overheads can actually reduce a nonprofit's effectiveness,” says Lisa in the report from Pay What it Takes. We must shift the conversation on overhead costs, which is trapping many for-purpose organisations in a starvation cycle and threatening their very survival. It's time to focus on the real measure of success: how well we improve life outcomes for people. If you work in the for-purpose sector, we encourage you to read and share this report. Be part of the conversation driving real change.

How can we help more young Australians to achieve success at school and beyond? On our podcast this week, we hear from Cindy, a tertiary student on our Learning for Life program, who offers her perspective on what young people need to make a positive transition from school to further study or work. Currently, one in four young Australians aren't completing year 12 or the equivalent – and the rate is much higher for young people experiencing disadvantage. Yet we know that higher educational attainment is associated with positive social and economic outcomes. With highlights from our recent webinar, this episode also features valuable insights from The Smith Family's Head of Research and Advocacy, Anne Hampshire, on our ongoing research into post-school pathways with over 2,000 young Australians. Plus, you’ll hear from our panelists, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, Christine Cawsey AM and Dr Anthony Mann, who share their views on ways to address the recent declines in school completion rates and ensure all young people are ready for a fast-changing labour market. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3MudUYR #conversationswithTSF #conversationswithimpact

Today’s news of the WA and Federal governments signing the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, after finalising funding arrangements, is a welcome step forward. This agreement offers a real chance to address the systemic barriers that have made it difficult for many young Australians to thrive at school. We now urge our government leaders to find common ground on funding for public education in all states and territories, so that urgently needed educational reform can begin next year. Australia must make educational equity a reality for all young people, no matter their background or circumstances. #learntodaychangetomorrow #educationchangeslives https://bit.ly/4dJuX5h

At The Smith Family, we believe that every conversation matters. That’s why we actively partner with children, young people, families, and communities to ensure their voices are heard. We are deeply committed to safeguarding children from abuse and neglect, upholding their rights, and promoting their safety in every aspect of our work. Our strategy reflects our dedication to being a child-safe organisation, prioritising the well-being and protection of every young person we support. That’s why we stand with NAPCAN and join in the national campaign for Child Protection Week. We encourage you and your organisation to do the same. Find out more about the week here at https://bit.ly/4cz4Xbn

A big thank you to our partner TK Maxx Australia, who are currently running their third annual national fundraising campaign to support our #LearningforLife program in all their stores across the country! If you’d like to show your support by making a donation in-store, visit your local TK Maxx during September, and learn more about our Learning for Life program here https://bit.ly/3WWSR6d . #learntodaychangetomorrow #education

✨ What a magical experience ✨ Thanks to The Walt Disney Company and Disney Theatrical Group, 50 students and staff from our SmArts program received tickets to Beauty and the Beast the Musical at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne. From the moment the curtains went up to the exclusive post-show Q&A, it was an afternoon packed with inspiration and learning. Students loved meeting the talented cast and crew, hearing firsthand insights into the hard work, creativity, and passion behind the show. The SmArts program, proudly supported by Disney, helps school students develop their creative skills, self-confidence, and social networks, and explore future career opportunities.

“Without a reliable internet connection, I missed out on important updates and opportunities, which made it difficult to stay on top of my studies and stay connected with others,” says James, who is currently studying engineering at uni. “Optus providing free data has been a game-changer for me. It has enabled me to stay connected with my peers and professors, attend online networking events, and access educational resources without any limitations.” For thousands of students like James, supported on our Learning for Life program, the Optus Donate Your Data® program provides free internet, calls, and texts, and last year, eligibility was extended to families and carers, too. This year, in partnership with Optus, we’re proud to provide 10,000 more SIMs to students and their family members to help them stay connected in this increasingly digital world. Learn more about Donate Your Data here https://bit.ly/3SSVK6G

A warm welcome to our newest corporate partner, Fletcher Building. We’re pleased to share they’ll be supporting 91 First Nations students on our Learning for Life program. They’re partnering with us to help empower First Nations students through #education. With targeted support from our partners, we can work alongside more children, parents and communities to address educational inequities. Thank you for your support, Fletcher Building. Let’s continue to help young people build the skills and gain the opportunities they need to create better futures for themselves.