The 5 Best Charities in Sydney That Deserve Your Support
Social media marketing loves a good cause, but giving back shouldn’t just be another photo op. The best charities in Sydney make it easy to turn good intentions into something genuinely useful.
You might donate regularly, volunteer a few hours, or support a cause that hits close to home. Sydney has organisations helping with everything from food relief and education to veterans’ families and hospital accommodation.
I looked at several very different charities to see what they actually do and how you can pitch in. That way, your support can go beyond looking good online and actually do some good.
How much does it cost to support charities in Sydney?
Supporting a charity in Sydney can cost as little or as much as you choose. Most organisations let you decide how much and how often you give.
One-off donations can be any amount you’re comfortable with. Regular giving works the same way, except you choose a recurring schedule.
Volunteering usually costs your time rather than your money. The hours required depend on the charity and the role.
Eligible donations to a deductible gift recipient may be tax-deductible. From 1 July 2026, the previous $2 minimum threshold no longer applies, though eligibility and record-keeping requirements still matter.
Corporate partnerships are generally tailored to each business. Organised group volunteering may involve a booking fee or requested donation, depending on the program.
1. House to Grow Charity
Website
Address: Level 1, 299 Elizabeth Street
Contact: +61 2 8815 8126 | +61 414 086 981 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4:30 PM
House to Grow takes a more targeted approach than charities trying to be everything to everyone.
Its programs support women affected by domestic violence, aspiring entrepreneurs, international students, and children facing tough circumstances.
A lot of the work centres on personal development, emotional intelligence, wellbeing, and education. That gives the charity a fairly clear sense of purpose rather than a grab-bag of community initiatives.
There are plenty of ways to pitch in, from donations and fundraising to volunteering and corporate partnerships.
I also like that volunteers don’t need a polished professional CV, since both professional and non-professional skills are welcomed.
One drawback is that some educational resources aren’t free. Certain online training programs are priced at AUD $97, which may be less appealing if you’re specifically after no-cost learning resources.
Customer Reviews
“I recommend this program to others as it is engaging, informative and inspiring”
Congratulations to you for conducting the Watering Women’s Tree Program in June! I was delighted to contribute information on how to develop a Powerful Speech for Business Success to your amazing group of entrepreneurial women. I recommend this program to others as it is engaging, informative and inspiring.
— Charmaine Burke | Google Review
“I love that this space exists for entrepreneurial women from CALD backgrounds”
Pilar from House to Grow is amazing and so passionate about her work. The events put on by House to Grow are great, and we learn so much. I love that this space exists for entrepreneurial women from CALD backgrounds; safe spaces like this where we can empower each other are so needed.
— Nancy Diaz | Google Review
2. The Fred Hollows Foundation
Website
Address: Level 8, 320 Pitt Street
Contact: 1800 352 352 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
The Fred Hollows Foundation has a refreshingly clear mission: help prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss.
Its work supports screenings, treatment, glasses, prevention, and stronger eye health systems across more than 25 countries and underserved parts of Australia.
What I like most is the emphasis on training local doctors, nurses, and health workers. It feels more sustainable than simply flying teams in, fixing a problem, and disappearing again.
I currently make a small monthly donation, but there are plenty of other ways to help. You can give once, donate through your workplace, or leave a gift in your will.
The main limitation is simply the charity’s specialist focus. If you’re looking for broad welfare services within Sydney itself, you’ll need to support a different organisation.
3. Sydney Legacy
Website
Address: Level 8, 35 Clarence Street
Postal Address: Locked Bag 8, Queen Victoria Building
Contact: (02) 9248 9000 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
Sydney Legacy has been supporting veterans’ families since 1926, and its help goes well beyond handing out emergency funds.
Eligible families can access income assistance, education support, holidays, health-related help, and guidance with DVA claims.
I like that younger beneficiaries aren’t forgotten once school finishes. Sydney Legacy offers practical career support too, including internships, résumé help, communication workshops, and interview preparation.
There are plenty of ways to back the organisation without being a beneficiary yourself. You can volunteer, fundraise, donate, or look into a corporate partnership.
The main limitation is eligibility, and it’s a real one rather than a nitpick.
Direct support is limited to qualifying veterans’ families, so it isn’t a general welfare service for the wider Sydney community.
4. OzHarvest Sydney — Head Office
Website
Address: Warehouse G3/G4, 46–62 Maddox Street, Alexandria
Contact: (02) 9516 3877 | 1800 108 006 | [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
OzHarvest tackles a problem that feels especially maddening: perfectly good food going to waste while people are struggling to eat.
Its Sydney operation rescues surplus food from more than 1,000 donors and redistributes it through community organisations across the region.
I volunteered for a cooking shift last year, and the atmosphere was busy in the best possible way.
Beyond food rescue, OzHarvest runs the Waterloo Market, Refettorio in Surry Hills, and corporate cooking experiences.
There are plenty of ways to pitch in. You can donate, volunteer, fundraise, or get your workplace involved. It’s a practical charity if you like seeing resources redirected rather than binned.
The main catch is scheduling, since many regular volunteer shifts happen on weekdays.
The Alexandria head office doesn’t provide public food relief either, so people needing food support should use its designated services instead.
Customer Reviews
“I am 100% behind their goal to ensure no one in Australia goes hungry”
“I am a resident of Mernda, Victoria, and I want to thank the OzHarvest Head Office for leading such an incredible national mission. I believe in the ‘Man in the Mirror’ philosophy—that we must start with ourselves to make a real change—and OzHarvest makes that possible. I recently supported their work to provide 20 meals for my fellow Victorians, and I am 100% behind their goal to ensure no one in Australia goes hungry. From the youngest to the oldest, they are helping to ‘heal the community’ every day. Truly inspiring leadership from the Sydney team!”
— Christopher Winch | Google Review
“I’ve been so inspired by Ronni Khan and her team”
Our team spent an amazing afternoon cooking up a storm with rescued produce to make beautiful meals, cooked from scratch, that not only taste delicious but are going to a good home instead of landfill. I’ve been so inspired by Ronni Khan and her team over the years and loved giving my time to such a brilliant cause. #teamgnocchi
— Lex Redding | Google Review
5. Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney
Website
Address: 1 Labyrinth Way, Westmead
Contact: (02) 9806 7111 | [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
Resident Family Support: Available 24/7
Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney gives families one less thing to worry about when a child is seriously ill.
Its Westmead House provides accommodation, meals, learning support, and practical help close to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
I like that support doesn’t stop at a bed and a meal. Families can access shared facilities, day services, and other practical support while staying focused on their child.
There are plenty of ways to help, from individual volunteering to group cooking programs, donations, and corporate involvement.
Resident families can get front-desk support around the clock too.
The main limitation is that accommodation isn’t automatic. Families need to meet referral and clinical criteria, and rooms still depend on availability.
Customer Reviews
“The organisation is the world’s best”
The organisation is the world’s best, and the people that serve it are heaven-sent. In our darkest hours, they gave us a sanctuary to escape the hardest of times, even just for a moment. The most beautiful people and facility we could have asked for.
— Greg | Google Review
“Extremely well set up”
Extremely well set up. The common area has about 6 kitchens for families to cook up food in. There’s also kitchen staff who make breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. They’re greatly supported by volunteers. There are several areas to eat or talk with visitors. Sizeable private units with sleeping for families of up to 5. Each unit gets a fridge locker. 5-minute walk across to the Westmead children’s hospital.
— Andrew Skinner | Google Review