The extended COVID-19 lockdowns have put pressure on charities around the world. Many of us in Australia are fortunate to have the technology to keep us in touch with family and friends and to be able to access some level of financial support. However, that’s not the case for everyone. There are also many people around Australia struggling with additional challenges including mental health issues, domestic violence, homelessness, and much more.

Many charities now find their services in great demand, with limited capacity to actively campaign for fundraising to support their work. We’ve put together a list of just a few of these great organisations. If you’re a CSR or HR manager, we encourage you to sign in to the Good2Give Workplace Giving Platform, and create an appeal. You may want to boost your impact by putting double or triple corporate fund matching in place. If you have a Foundation account, why not make a direct donation? Simply contact our Foundations team, who can help you set that up easily.

Foodbanks and homelessness charities supporting COVID-19 lockdowns

• GIVIT (Help GIVIT support people impacted by COVID-19) – GIVIT is working with federal and state governments and our Australia wide charity network to ensure people and communities impacted by COVID-19 have access to essential items when they need them most.
• The Salvation Army (COVID-19: The Salvation Army Response) – COVID-19 has increased the demand for community services helping people impacted by homelessness, experiencing financial hardship, living in violent homes or struggling with addiction.
• St Vincent de Paul Society VIC (COVID-19 Winter Appeal) – People facing homelessness and the vulnerable population will be deeply challenged by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vinnies Victoria needs your help to continue their longstanding services of delivering food hampers, phone visits and educational programs.
• Foodbank Victoria (COVID-19 Crisis) – Foodbank Victoria is committed to feeding the vulnerable within our community amid the growing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.

COVID-19 research and vaccination charities

• Heart Research Institute (New anti-clotting therapy for COVID-19) – Researchers at the HRI have worked on a new anti-clotting medicine to treat strokes. Now, with emerging evidence linking blood clots to the deadly COVID-19 virus, this drug could save thousands of lives.
• UNICEF Australia (COVAX: Powering the largest and fastest vaccine operation for humanity) – UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents, vaccinating every second child in the world. The global COVAX Facility has been established to ensure equitable and safe access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.

COVID-19 hospital and medical aid

• Cancer Council NSW (COVID-19 Emergency Appeal) – The Cancer Council’s vital Transport to Treatment service has been struggling to meet the demand patients in rural and remote parts of NSW get to lifesaving treatment.
• Leukaemia Foundation of Australia (COVID-19 Emergency Appeal) – Help cancer patients receive life-saving treatment, stay in our safe, clean accommodation and take every precaution against COVID-19 as chemotherapy greatly impairs the immune system.
• The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation VIC (COVID-19 Appeal) – COVID-19 has put more pressure on hospitals to deliver telehealth services, medication delivery services, and provide specialised care.
• St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (Coronavirus support) – As a major city hospital, it is vital that our organisation prepares and does everything possible to contain the outbreak and care for patients. Please support our frontline staff as they prepare for an unprecedented influx due to the coronavirus.
• Good360Australia (Help Keep Greater Sydney COVID Safe) – Providing personal protective equipment to vulnerable Greater Sydney communities including masks, hand sanitiser, safety eyewear and antibacterial wipes.