CafeSmart’s 2025 fundraising campaign to support vital homelessness services across Australia has reached $150,000, with that number expected to rise over the following weeks as donations continue to roll in.
The milestone has been reached with the help of 823 cafés, 51 roasters, and thousands of coffee lovers who took part in this year’s campaign between 2 and 8 August. On the final day, each venue donated $1 for every coffee sold to the not-for-profit to fund homelessness outcomes in their local areas.
Since 2011, CafeSmart has raised more than $2.2 million and supported close to 1500 community grants. This year’s campaign marked 15 years of the coffee industry supporting people experiencing homelessness in Australia.
“Because homelessness is complex, we’re very flexible with our approach,” says CafeSmart Campaign and Events Coordinator, Liz Bayrak.
“We fund projects covering all sorts of different things, like domestic and family violence services, because we know the lack of affordable housing and domestic violence are some of the leading causes of homelessness. While people are waiting for housing, they may need help with food and material aid, so a tent or a swag to cover their heads for the night, and clothing.”
In 2024, Allee Espresso in Warrnambool, Victoria, was crowned the CafeSmart 2024 national fundraising champion, raising more than $4000 to support grassroots programs.
To find out how you can support CafeSmart, click here.
