Last year in Australia, over 45,000 children and young people spent time living in out of home care – a temporary living arrangement for children who are unable to live in their family home.
Many of these children were cared for by foster carers – generous volunteers who open their hearts and their homes to provide the safe and nurturing environment required to give children the best possible start to their lives.
Every year at MacKillop, we support more than 900 foster carers to care for over 1,000 children. But with the cost of living on the rise, the pressure on our carers has never been greater.
While foster carers receive a government subsidy, the gap between the funds they receive and the costs they incur is widening, meaning children in need either miss out on the things many of us take for granted, or carers dig into their own pockets to cover additional costs.
In partnership with Bridget Loudon-Harris, MacKillop has established the BestLifeCo. Foster Carer Fund to ensure every child in foster care has the best possible start to their life.
With your support, we can ensure that children living in care have the opportunity to discover their passions and live their best life, by participating in activities such as swimming lessons, music lessons, driving lessons, tutoring, and even going on their first ever holiday!
Simply click on the Donate Now button on this page to make a tax-deductible donation.
I became a foster carer because I wanted to make a difference to the lives of children and young people who – through no fault of their own – could not live with their own family. My experience highlighted how important it is to provide children with opportunities to discover their passions. Please join me in supporting MacKillop’s BestLifeCo. Foster Care Fund. Together we can make a life-changing impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is MacKillop Family Services?
MacKillop Family Services is one of Australia’s largest providers of services to children, young people, and families, providing early intervention support for at-risk families, foster care for children and young people, and programs for children at risk of disengaging from education. On any given night, they support more than 400 children and young people in foster care across Australia.
What is foster care?
Foster care is a program in which individuals and couples are trained, accredited, and supported by MacKillop to provide care and accommodation in their own homes to children who cannot safely remain with their parent/parents. Children enter care when they are temporarily unable to live safely in their own home due to issues such as violence, poverty, abuse, or neglect.
What impact will my donation have?
With cost of living on the rise, children in care are missing out on the extra-curricular activities that many of us take for granted – such as swimming lessons, music and dance lessons, education support, driving lessons, and even holidays, school camps or excursions. The Best Life Co. Foster Carer Fund aims to gather a pool of funds that can be used to support carers to give the children in their care the best possible start to their life.
At the end of each Financial Year, MacKillop will prepare an Impact Report highlighting the outcomes made possible by donors to the Fund.
Is my donation to the BestLifeCo. Foster Care Fund tax deductible?
Yes. As a registered charity with deductible gift recipient status, all donations to MacKillop Family Services are tax-deductible. Within two business days after making a donation, you will receive a receipt that you can use to claim a tax deduction when you lodge your Tax Return for the financial year in which the donation is made.
How do I donate to the Fund?
You can give online by clicking on the Donate button on this page, or you can call 1300 218 935 and ask for your donation to be directed to the BestLifeCo Foster Carer Fund. A receipt will be promptly issued by MacKillop Family Services.