When you donate to a charity, how do you know if your money is really making a difference? It’s a question that many people ask as they seek confidence that their support is reaching those in need. Donors want their contributions to have real-world impact, not get lost in overhead costs or unclear operations.
As one of Australia's largest aid and development organisations, we operate in 117 countries to ensure every child can survive, learn and be protected. We are regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), are a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), and fully comply with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. Transparency, ethics and results are at the heart of how we work, and how we spend every dollar donated.
Why donors seek assurance
Giving to a cause feels good, but it also comes with responsibility. Donors want to help, but they also want assurance that their money is used ethically and effectively.
How to tell if a charity deserves your support
If you're considering donating but unsure who to support, there are simple ways to check whether a charity is credible and responsible.
- Is it a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)? This means your donation is tax-deductible, and the charity meets Australian regulatory standards.
- Is it listed on the ACNC Charity Register? This confirms the charity is officially recognised and monitored.
- Does it follow a Code of Conduct? Save the Children adheres to the ACFID Code of Conduct, ensuring we meet strict standards for transparency, governance and impact.
- Are there published impact or evaluation reports? A responsible organisation will show how it monitors, assesses and improves its work.
- Is the charity clear about its mission and results? Donors should never be left guessing.
These indicators help you make informed choices and support causes that are open and accountable.
Where your donation goes when you give to Save the Children
Save the Children ensure donations are directed where they’re needed most. Read our accountability reports for more information, but here’s a summary of where our proceeds are allocated:
- 80.9 cents goes towards programs that support children and increase public awareness of global development issues.
- 6.9 cents is invested in fundraising so we can continue delivering these life-changing programs.
- 7 cents fund the skilled people, infrastructure and systems needed to manage and deliver our work effectively.
- 5.2 cents supports commercial activities such as our retail stores, which generate income to further fund our work.
How your donation changes children’s lives
Every contribution helps deliver real, measurable outcomes for children and families, here in Australia and across 117 countries worldwide.
Your support can help Save the Children provide:
- Emergency medical care, food, clean water and shelter
- Sanitation and hygiene kits to prevent the spread of disease
- Access to education, including temporary learning spaces in emergencies
- Psychosocial support to help children recover from trauma
- Family reunification services after conflict or disaster
- Cash grants to help families meet urgent needs
- Protection programs to keep children safe from violence and exploitation
Our work is evidence-based, culturally informed and continually evaluated to ensure every dollar achieves the greatest possible impact.
Why you can trust us to do what we say
Being accountable means more than just tracking where donations go, it means being honest, ethical and committed to constant improvement. Save the Children regularly publishes evaluation reports to assess the outcomes of our programs locally, nationally and globally. These reports help us learn, adapt, and make smarter decisions about where and how to invest donor support.
We are also governed by a strict Child Safeguarding Policy and adhere to ethical storytelling guidelines. Every photo or story we share is collected with informed consent and handled respectfully, never compromising the dignity or safety of those involved. We’re proud of our work, but we never take the people we work with for granted.
Most powerful way to help children in crisis
Every donation makes a difference, but unrestricted giving, such as becoming a monthly donor, allows us to respond more flexibly and effectively when emergencies strike.
These regular gifts power our Children’s Emergency Fund, which allows us to act quickly when disaster hits, no matter where it happens. From earthquakes and conflict to hunger and displacement, this fund helps us reach children with critical supplies like food, water, shelter, medical care and education support, often within hours.
By becoming a regular giver, your donation has the greatest possible reach and impact, helping children survive and recover in the most challenging times.
Donate today to support our programs
Every donation has the potential to help change a child’s life. When you know how your money is used, and the difference it makes, giving becomes not just an act of generosity, but one of certainty.
If you're ready to create meaningful change, we invite you to stand with us. Donate today and help build a world where every child can thrive.