Back in l
ate 2014, after 18 months works, we launched our own crowdfunding platform, StreetSmart Projects. The concept was simple – to empower smaller grassroots homeless services to engage and connect with the StreetSmart supporter community to crowdfund important projects in the community. The pilot platform ran for 12 months raising over $35,000 for 10 projects. Organisations such as Dandelion Support Network, The Footpath Library, Safe Futures and Emerge Womens and Childrens Network all successfully used the platform and each of the 10 projects reached its funding goal. In a number of cases we raised considerably more than the $ target through donations direct to the organisation, in kind support and additional support.
In the mad rush that seems to characterise the build up to Christmas, 110 leading restaurants across five States went that little bit further and supported the annual DineSmart event. Now in its 13th year, restaurants ask their diners to chip in an extra $2 onto their bill to support smaller homeless services in the communities where the restaurants operate.
From 9th Nov to 31st Dec diners generously chipped in a massive $264,096 (up 12% on the 2014 tally). Every cent of the proceeds raised will now go to fund grassroots homeless services. Restaurants and their customers have now helped StreetSmart raise over $3.85 million funding over 450 community organisations. A good many of the participating restaurants increased their donation collection year on year – an awesome achievement.
Our 2016 DineSmart Top 15 Fundraisers… Read More
Sunday night saw the Front of House All Stars crew assemble at Ezard for the 10th All Stars Dinner, the 8th in Melbourne. We are so lucky to have the support of 8 multi Award winning restaurateurs and managers – the best in the business – supporting our work. 100% of the proceeds of the evening are donated by the All Stars to StreetSmart, an amazing commitment from all involved. This year we raised $32,522, just shy of our previous record. To know we have the support of leaders across the hospitality industry gives us such a boost and motivation to keep building our campaigns and community impact.
We welcomed back several tables of guests from previous years and to quote one guest “it was fantastic, we wouldn’t miss it” – and we second that.
The food and wine matches showcased by each All Star were sublime, giving a fascinating insight into their restaurants. Here’s the menu… Read More
On August 7th, 491 cafes, 27 coffee roasters and thousands of coffee drinkers helped raise $135,612 to fund local grassroots homeless projects. For every coffee sold, cafes donated $1, coffee roasters supplied beans and customers chipped in.
Across Australia, coffee heads came together to effect change in their local communities. 100% of the funds raised by CafeSmart combined with other funds raised by StreetSmart have now been allocated through 132 Community Grants totaling $151,800. Grants target helping people who are homeless or at risk in communities where cafes have raised the funds.
Adam Robinson CEO of StreetSmart Australia said “Having over 500 small businesses involved and engaged during National Homeless Prevention Week, not only raised vital funds but also created great awareness around the issue of homelessness and what people can do to help. Yet again the coffee industry has shown how generous and community minded they are. The funding raised goes to some of our smallest, yet vital, community groups and not for profits, who have seen funding stripped out of the sector.”
Today is Day 1 of our 13th DineSmart event. Hooray!
As celebrations for the festive season gather momentum (YIKES!) around the country, we’re calling on our supporters to ‘Dine Out Help Out’ at 126 restaurants around the country and chip in a micro donation to help fund grassroots homeless projects. It’s a gentle nudge to us all at a time of year that can get a touch self indulgent.
Last year over 100,000 tables added their $2 donation and contributed to local social impact through our community grants. These grants may seem small but are vital at a time when funding to homeless services has been cut and demand increased.
The results are in… and we drank coffee and did good!
On 7th August 491 cafes participated in CafeSmart 2015 to make it our biggest yet and huge success. Generous Cafe partners donated $1 per coffee sold on the day, supported by a list of top coffee roasters, sponsors and generous customers who also chipped in. Last years $120,000 tally has been beaten – and $135,612 was raised on the day! We applaud and thank everyone who got involved, sponsored and donated, and make special mention of our top fundraisers and Award winners.
Wow – we made it, our new website is live! As anyone who has ever taken on a similar endeavour will tell you – it ain’t easy – and we are all a few years older than when we started! We are very excited at what the new site brings to our work and we have many people to thank.
Reading this, it will also strike you that we are blogging for the first time. We plan to use this channel for our news and also invite guest bloggers on issues close to our heart – this could be homelessness, affordable housing, social enterprise, hospitality, restaurants, coffee etc…. lets see where it takes us…. Read More
70 community grants funded through DineSmart 2014 have just been announced. Restaurants and their diners, plus online donations helped us raise $254,300 for distribution. Read More
Recently, as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, StreetSmart proudly partnered with 8 Front of House All Stars to present an evening of great food, wine and fundraising. Read More
During November and December 2014, 114 restaurants participated in DineSmart. Throughout the 7 week campaign diners are asked to contribute a $2 donation per table. Amazingly, $234,800 was raised $2 at a time. Read More
