Every child should experience a childhood in which they are nurtured, protected and given access to opportunity.
ChildFund Australia is an independent international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in many of the world’s most disadvantaged communities.
We partner to create community and systems change which enables vulnerable children and young people, in all their diversity, to assert and realise their rights.
ChildFund Australia is a member of the ChildFund Alliance – one of the world’s oldest and most experienced child-focused development agencies. With a global network of 11 organisations, the ChildFund Alliance assists nearly 36 million children and families in 70 countries.
ChildFund Australia directly manages and implements programs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, while also supporting projects delivered by partner organisations throughout Asia and the Pacific, Africa and North and South America. Our work is funded through public donations and government grants.
We are committed to public accountability and transparency. Annually, our accounts in Australia are audited by independent consultants KPMG. Read our latest Annual report.
As a member of the Australian Council for International Development, and a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct and the ACFID Fundraising Charter, ChildFund Australia must meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management.
In addition, ChildFund Australia is fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which manages the Australian Government’s overseas aid program. Accreditation is a stringent process in which all operational activities – financial, managerial, fundraising and program – are analysed. This not only requires that ChildFund demonstrate that funds are distributed to community projects, but that they are spent effectively in those communities for the benefit of children.
ChildFund Australia is also a member of Accountable Now, a platform of international civil society organisations that strive to be transparent, responsive to stakeholders, and focused on delivering impact. As a member, ChildFund has signed 12 globally-agreed-upon Accountability Commitments and will report annually to an Independent Review Panel on our economic, environmental and social performance according to the Accountable Now reporting standards.
ChildFund Australia is proud to be a founding member of the Emergency Action Alliance. The Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) is a simple and effective way for Australian donors to help in an international humanitarian emergency. The EAA is made up of 15 Australian-based member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. By combining the expertise of the 15 members, the EAA can focus the desire of Australian donors to help into a targeted response to an international emergency.
ChildFund Australia is committed to an equitable and inclusive workplace, in line with our organisational values, where everyone’s rights are protected. We are a member of the Diversity Council of Australia. In addition to our Organisational Inclusion Policy, we have an Action Plan and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee through which we work to strengthen our workplace culture so that people feel safe, respected, connected, contribute and progress.
ChildFund Australia is committed to reduce our impact on the environment. Following a Green Audit performed by 180 Degrees Consulting, we have committed to reduce our CO2 emissions & waste, increase awareness amongst staff, and offset all our carbon emissions through a partnership with Greenfleet. Greenfleet supports Australian native reforestation projects. Our carbon offset contributes to future carbon sequestration and ensures we are leading the way on climate action.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ChildFund Australia
While ChildFund Australia does not implement national programs, as a child-focused development organisation we recognise the special place of First Nations children and young people in Australia. We also acknowledge the vital place of First Nations peoples and their knowledge and language systems in creating sustainable development. As a whole organisation and as individual staff members we therefore commit to a process where we self-examine, learn, and grow, as reflected in our Reconciliation Action Plan.
ChildFund Australia Policies
Our Vision
A world without poverty where all children and young people can say: “I am safe. I am educated. I contribute. I have a future.”
Our History
After beginning work in China in 1938, ChildFund is now one of the world’s oldest child-focused development organisations. ChildFund (or China’s Children Fund as it was known then) was started by an American humanitarian, Dr J Calvitt Clarke, following the second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Amidst reports of widespread devastation and the displacement of millions of families, Dr Clarke decided to take action to support the relief effort. From his home in Virginia, USA and with the support of wife Helen, Dr Clarke launched a nationwide appeal for funds for displaced children in China. In the midst of the Depression, and using his own money for stationery and postage, Dr Clarke found enough willing supporters to enable him to establish China’s Children Fund (CCF) in 1938, sending the organisation’s first contribution of US$2,000 to support local initiatives in China. Dr Clarke continued to write and appeal for assistance and, by the end of 1939, CCF had sent a total of US$13,000 to support the KuKong orphanage and a school in China. Eight decades later and CCF has transformed into the ChildFund Alliance, a global network of child-focused development organisations assisting children and families in 70 countries.
Our Expertise
ChildFund is one of the oldest and most experienced child focused international development organisations.
Our People
Our Staff
We have 362 employees from diverse backgrounds working across seven countries, 60% of whom are women.
Our Expenditure
Where your money goes
80 cents
in every dollar goes directly to helping children in poverty
*Based on total expenditure for FY24. Please refer to ChildFund’s Annual report 2024 for more information Annual Report
Nearly 36 million
children and families being supported in 70 countries