Sisters of Charity Foundation

In 1838, the Sisters of Charity landed in Australia. Their mission: to devote themselves to helping the poor and marginalised through compassion, care and practical assistance.

180 years later, the Sisters of Charity Foundation carries on their legacy.

Every year we’re able to make a difference to thousands of people across the country with funds generously donated by compassionate Australians. We support initiatives that benefit the disadvantaged, marginalised and socially isolated people in our community, no matter their gender, ethnicity, age or ability.

Join us in forging a society where anyone who experiences disadvantage or social isolation can count on swift, practical and compassionate assistance.

The Sisters of Charity of Australia launched the Foundation in 2000 with a Community Grants Program that funds dozens of innovative community projects every year that help alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and families. In the past 20 years, the Foundation has funded more than 900 projects across Australia, helping those at risk of homelessness, Indigenous Australians, youth-at-risk, people with disabilities, prison-affected families, refugees, asylum seekers and others who have experienced poverty and disadvantage.

The Foundation also has a Tertiary Scholarship Program that empowers dedicated students from out-of-home care backgrounds to transform their lives through education. Currently there are students enrolled at scholarships at 9 universities and TAFEs, and the financial assistance they receive allows them to afford study expenses such as course fees and textbooks, as well as the cost of living on their own without parental support.

Since 2015 the Foundation has partnered with the Asylum Seekers Centre to provide accommodation and welfare services to dozens of displaced people every year. In 2020 the Foundation announced a new initiative, the Anti-Slavery Housing Program, in partnership with The Salvation Army Australia. The program is delivering housing for survivors in a new model aimed at transitioning them to independent living.

Community Grants Program

Every year the Foundation provides individual grants of up to $15,000 to a range of innovative community projects that break down social isolation and alleviate the impact of poverty on individuals and families. During the 2018/19 financial year we:

• Awarded community grants to 58 organisations across every state and territory in Australia.
• Provided a total of $614,500 to our Community Grant Program recipients.

Community Grants Program: More information.

Tertiary Scholarship Program

In 2012 the Foundation launched a Tertiary Scholarship Program to empower dedicated students from out-of-home-care backgrounds to transform their lives through education. During the 2018/19 financial year we:

• Awarded 7 new scholarships at Western Sydney University, TAFE The Gordon, TAFE Petersham, and TAFE Eora Centre.
• Saw 4 students graduate (Bachelor of Nursing from Australian Catholic University, Diploma of Nursing from TAFE Randwick, Certificate III in Vocational & Study Pathways from TAFE Eora Centre, and Bachelor of Social Sciences (Criminology) from Macquarie University).
• Had a total of 14 scholarship students enrolled in university or TAFE courses.
• Invested a total of $87,250 in the last financial year, bringing our total investment in the program to $552,131 since its launch.

Tertiary Scholarship Program: More information.

Asylum Seekers Housing Program

The Foundation formed a partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre to provide safe accommodation and welfare services to dozens of displaced people every year.

In 2014 the Foundation invested $2,360,000 in the purchase of a residential building, Providence House, in Sydney’s Inner West. This residence has been renovated and now provides emergency housing to refugees and asylum seekers. The Foundation has been responsible for its ongoing maintenance since then. During the 2018/19 financial year:

• 37 individuals (including 13 children) were accommodated in Providence House. Residents came from Asia (37.5%), Pacific (20.8%), Middle East (12.5%), Africa (12.5%), South America (8.3%) and Central Europe (8.3%).
• 14 cases successfully transitioned out of Providence House into the private rental market.

Asylum Seekers Housing Program: More information.

Anti-Slavery Housing Program

Our newest program was launched in February 2020, when we partnered with The Salvation Army to provide housing assistance for victims of slavery and human trafficking in Australia.

In this unique model, survivors are involved in choosing where they get to live. They are supported by caseworkers until they get to a point of independence where they are able to take over the leases themselves and create a permanent home.

Anti-Slavery Housing Program: More information.

Judy Christie, Foundation Manager

Sandra Boswell

Tom Boyce

Juliet Dunworth

Sr Anthea Groves rsc OAM

Richard Haddock AO

Greg Khoury

Robert McCormack AM

Mary Reemst

Chris Rigby

Sr Margaret Valentine rsc

Leann Yuen

Just a few words in your Will can make a world of difference to the work we do at the Sisters of Charity Foundation. Of course, your loved ones come first, but then please think of us.

Leaving a gift of money or property, small or large, lets you make an important contribution to the future work of the Foundation without affecting your current financial circumstances.

For information on how to make a bequest to the Foundation, please read our bequest booklet or request a copy by contacting the Sisters of Charity Foundation on 02 9367 1211.

Your gift will transform lives around Australia.

Donating to charity is a way to show your gratitude and appreciation for what you have in life, and lend a helping hand to the less fortunate in our community.

All donations above $2 are tax-deductible, which means your kindness will earn you a tax benefit on your next refund. Learn more about the tax benefits of donating to charity.

100% of your contribution goes toward whatever charitable program you choose.

Donate to the Sisters of Charity Foundation.

Donate in memory of a loved one

When a loved one passes away, a donation to the Sisters of Charity Foundation can be a beautiful tribute to their life, and a meaningful way to give hope to others.

Often people choose to celebrate the life of a loved one by asking for donations instead of flowers at the funeral or memorial service. We are very grateful to those who choose to support the Foundation at such a difficult time.

Most funeral directors are happy to assist by contacting us to arrange donation envelopes to be available at the funeral. If you prefer, the envelopes can be sent directly to a family member.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation will send an acknowledgment letter to the family, including a list of those who have made gifts. We will also send receipts and thank you letters to everyone who makes an in-memory donation.

If you would like to arrange complimentary donation envelopes, please contact our office on (02) 9367 1211 or by emailing foundation@rscoffice.com.

Workplace Giving

You can provide ongoing help to those living in poverty and disadvantage through a simple workplace giving arrangement. All you need do is decide how much you’d like to donate and ask your employer to contribute this as a pre-tax donation to the Sisters of Charity Foundation each payday. You’ll not only be making a positive change in the lives of others, but your generous donations are also fully tax-deductible. Talk to your employer about their preferred system for workplace giving arrangements.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation does not have a volunteer program, please refer to the ‘How to help us’ tab to learn about the various ways you can support our organisation.