Comparison of Our Current Charities
ResearchReal Aussie Heroes provides an online platform to compare Australian Charities. Our goal is to make it easy for you to find a charity to support.
Read about our member not-for-profit organisations below and click through to find out more about their work.
Once you have found your perfect match you can donate online following some easy steps.
Plan International
Brief Intro
Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children’s development organisations in the world.
Founded in 1937, Plan International has no religious or political affiliations. They are an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
Plan International Australia recognises that there is nowhere in the world where girls are treated as equals. They work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle root causes of the injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.
Years Running
Plan International has been running for 83 years
What They Do, How They Help
The Plan International Australia program supports children in more than 25 countries. They raise funds via sponsorship programs and donations.
Throughout the world, Plan International works with local partners as well as local and national governments to change policies. They work with local communities to help children and young people to tackle the root causes of poverty, exclusion and discrimination with a focus on girls.
Their Mission Statement
We strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We engage people and partners to:
- Empower children, young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability
- Drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face
- Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises and to overcome adversity
- Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood
Find out more about Plan International or read on to learn about other top performing Australian charities.
Fred Hollows
Brief Intro
Fred Hollows is a development organisation working in more than 25 countries with a very clear purpose: to make sure everyone, whether they’re rich or poor, has access to high quality, affordable eye health.
The organisation was founded by Fred Hollows, an internationally renowned eye surgeon and humanitarian. Fred didn’t believe in charity, he firmly believed in teaching, supporting and empowering people to help themselves.
Years Running
Fred Hollows has been running for 28 years
What They Do, How They Help
Since The Foundation began, they’ve restored sight to more than 2.5 million people. They help train and empower local eye doctors, nurses and health workers to create a sustainable system of care in the communities that need it most.
Ending Avoidable Blindness
Many people are blind because they don’t have access to quality and affordable eye health, and often with a simple, 20-minute operation can prevent blindness.
According to Fed Hollows, of the 36 million people in the world who are blind, many don’t have to be. Eye diseases like cataract, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy lead to permanent blindness when often, the conditions are treatable or preventable.
Indigenous Australia
Fred Hollows had a fierce determination to improve the eye health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Their Mission Statement
Vision – We see a world in which no person is needlessly blind and Indigenous Australians exercise their right to good health.
Inspiration
We are inspired by the life and work of Professor Fred Hollows, an internationally acclaimed eye surgeon and an activist for social justice who championed the right of all people to high-quality and affordable eye care and good health.
Values
Our values of integrity, empowerment, collaboration, and action underpin every aspect of our work both in Australia and around the globe
Find out more about Fred Hollows or read on to learn about other not for profit organisations making a difference in the lives of Australians.
Smith Family
Brief Intro
The Smith Family Foundation is an independent children’s charity helping disadvantaged Australian children to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves.
They are Australia’s largest national education-oriented charity.
Their learning support and mentoring programs help children in need to fit in at school, keep up with their peers, and build aspirations for a better future for themselves.
Years Running
The Smith Family Foundation has been running for 98 years
What They Do, How They Help
The Smith Family delivers Learning for Life programs across 91 Australian communities, often out of the local school.
The foundation believes that education has the power to change lives and break the cycle of disadvantage.
Their support starts in the early years of learning development and continues through primary and secondary school. Their innovative, evidence-based approach is improving the attendance and attainment rates for disadvantaged children at school, and is enabling them to be engaged in higher education studies or work after leaving the program.
Their Mission Statement
To create opportunities for young Australians in need by providing long-term support for their participation in education.
Find out more about the Smith Family Foundation.
Do you want to learn more about other Australian charities? Read on to see a comparison of some of the country’s most beloved not for profit organisations.
IFAW
Brief Intro
IFAW was founded 50 years ago with the aim of improving conditions for animals, people, and the place we call home.
IFAW works around the globe to rescue and rehabilitate animals, end illegal wildlife trade, and secure critical landscapes. They collaborate with local communities to create sustainable livelihoods that benefit both people and animals.
Years Running
IFAW has been running for 50 years
What They Do, How They Help
Landscape Conservation
IFAW is taking action to secure the habitats of millions of creatures
Wildlife Rescue
IFAW has rescue teams across six continents and three oceans that are available to help animals in need
Community Engagement
IFAW prides itself on helping people help animals.
Marine Conservation
Commercial whaling has been banned worldwide since 1986. But Iceland, Japan and Norway still permit whale hunting. IFAW is working to change that.
Policy
IFAW believes that if you want to change the game, you need to start with the rules. And with animal welfare, that means the laws.
Disaster Relief
IFAW’s team is ready to strike into action when disasters happen.
Wildlife Crime
IFAW’s global network is on the frontlines to ensure that animals have the protection they need from the illegal market forces that threaten their survival.
Their Mission Statement
Fresh thinking and bold action for animals, people, and the place we call home.
Find out More about IFAW or take our quiz to get matched with your perfect charity.
Careflight
Brief Intro
CareFlight is an Australian aeromedical charity, established in 1986.
CareFlight’s mission is to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community by providing the highest standard of rapid response critical care.
Years Running
CareFlight has been running for 34 years
What They Do, How They Help
They use helicopters, aeroplanes and medi-jets to bring a hospital level of care to the critically ill and injured. CareFlight’s aircrew, medical teams and coordinators work closely together to ensure that patients receive the best care as soon as possible.
CareFlight doctors and nurses are specially trained in pre-hospital and transport medicine. They care for severely injured patients who need emergency treatment at the scene of the incident. They also transport seriously ill patients who need to be moved between hospitals.
CareFlight has a strong focus on education. Over the years CareFlight has trained hundreds of critical care specialists in the unique and challenging environment of pre-hospital and transport medicine.
Their Mission Statement
To save lives, speed recovery and serve the community.
Find out more about Careflight, including their current initiative and recent wins. Or why not take our charity quiz, a fun and interactive way to find your perfect charity.
Starlight
Brief Intro
Starlight Children’s Foundation brightens the lives of children, young people and their families when their lives are turned upside down by serious illness and hospitalisation.
From a single wish granted in 1988, Starlight is now recognised as an integral part of the Australian healthcare system.
Years Running
Starlight has been running for 31 years
What They Do, How They Help
Starlight is distinctly Australian. Their unique programs are the result of extensive research and respond to the specific needs of Aussie kids and teens.
They know what kids and their families are facing when serious illness or injury consumes their lives. The Foundation disrupts the relentless cycle of pain and trauma and offers a welcome break so that sick kids can simply be kids.
Over 560,000 Starlight experiences are created every year, helping to support the wellbeing of the whole family as they confront the reality of serious illness.
Their Mission Statement
Starlight’s mission is “To brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families”.
Because sick kids are still kids at heart…
Find out more about Starlight or get matched with a charity using our quiz.