Australians are generally generous people and this is reflected by their donations to charity. Studies show that roughly 80% of the population donate to charity, between them they gave $12.5 billion.

The difficulty for most people is not in giving, it’s in making sure they give to the right charities. That’s the ones that are really making a difference. It’s also the ones that use as much of the money as possible for their cause instead of administrative costs.

With so many Australian charities it can seem overwhelming. To help you decide which charity deserves your money, you should consider the following three, all of which make a real difference.

1. Surf Life Saving Foundation

Giving to the Surf Life Saving Foundation is enticing as you will also be entered into the home lottery. That means you have a chance to win a fantastic house on or close to the beach.

But, while that is a great reason for giving, it’s worth noting the following facts.

• Every year more than 10,000 people are rescued from the water by them
• 6 million preventative actions are taken every year
• All lifesavers are volunteers
• Every lifesaver is fully trained in rescue and first aid
• More than 500 million people visit the beach each year and surf lifesavers are there to keep them safe
• The cost of one beach patrol vehicle is $80,000

This foundation saves lives and it’s local to you. In other words, f you support them they will be there for you when you need them.

2. Australian Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross is one of the most popular charities to give to. They are dedicated to helping others in extreme situations. For example, they have been present whenever there is flooding, serious bushfires, and even assisting throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alongside this, they organize and send aid to worthy causes around the globe, such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, and even Tonga.

In short, donating to the Australian Red Cross means you’re helping others in Australia and key causes across the globe.

3. The Smith Family

The Smith Family is recognized as one of the top charities in Australia for education. It focuses on helping children have the things they need to get to school and learn. This gives children an opportunity in life.

For example, during the global pandemic, The Smith Family organized digital devices for many children that didn’t have access to one. Without a digital device, they couldn’t take part in school work.

In short, The Smith Family is dedicated to making sure every child has access to an education. In this way, they are making Australia a better and fairer society. That’s a challenge when 1.2 million Australian children currently live in poverty.

Final Thoughts

Naturally, there are hundreds of different charities to choose from. You’ll need to choose the one that is meaningful to you. However, even if you aren’t touched by the above charities, it’s worth donating as they make a real difference to Australia.