Direct Giving
Direct Giving is Mobilise’s method of directly providing funds to people facing homelessness, empowering them to forge their own way out of homelessness.
To meet our commitment to Nedd and the donors around Australia of pushing forward with new and innovative ways of making the most impact for people experiencing homelessness, we are developing and aiming to implement an Australian-first direct cash transfer program for our friends on the street.
We Are Mobilise are excited to build partnerships with charity partners and private businesses to bring this to life.
What are direct cash transfers?
Direct cash transfers are a way of providing support to people in need, and they are gaining more and more attention around the globe. There is a strong evidence base that supports providing direct payment of money to eligible people.
Direct cash transfers with limited conditions to people in poverty aim to achieve two key objectives:
- Higher efficiency than traditional support services, by cutting out operational and administrative costs associated with service delivery
- Removing paternalistic oversight characteristic of traditional philanthropic and government approaches to poverty; they give the recipients the freedom to determine for themselves how to spend their money.
Mobilise’s direct giving programs
Mobilise Matched is an Australian-first direct cash transfer program consisting of an employment and wellbeing pathway, with intake and wraparound case management provided by Youth Projects and training and employment opportunities provided by employment partners. We Are Mobilise can support participants’ successful completion of the program by providing financial grants, matched to participants’ savings toward their personal goals.
The Mobilise Kickstarter program provides direct rental assistance for eight weeks, including bond payments, to help people at risk of homelessness access or maintain a rental property.
We’ve developed this program because there is a pressing cost of living crisis and acknowledge that some people can fall through the cracks of existing schemes when it comes to paying their rent.
Recognising the risks associated with developing and implementing new methods of addressing homelessness, there are few accessible funds available for early-stage ventures in this space. We want to not only participate in this space but also support innovation in existing practice.
The Mobilise Pay program focuses on the unique challenges facing single-mother families. This year-long program goes beyond financial assistance, using a voucher and gift system to cover necessities like utility bills, groceries, and extracurricular activities for children. In addition to these tangible benefits, Mobilise Pay facilitates access to vital third-party services, including financial counselling and resources promoting healthy living.
By holistically addressing the needs of single mothers, we aim to provide not just immediate relief but also the tools and support necessary for sustained stability, even in the face of economic uncertainty.
How we find our participants
We Are Mobilise is an organisation that understands the importance of collaboration in the charity space. There are many incredible organisations providing services and working directly with clients facing or currently experiencing homelessness.
Our objective was not to duplicate this work but instead to provide a range of programs and support mechanisms that enhance the impact they can provide. By developing a strong and trusted partner network, We Are Mobilise can accept referrals from a range of different organisations and provide support to a broad range of participants.
Each of our programs has different eligibility criteria, however, we’re aiming to create programs that catch people who might not be eligible for existing support.
Working in Collaboration
We Are Mobilise understand that the impact of our work can be amplified through collaborative action and learning. In the medium term, a Funding for Innovation program will provide much-needed early-stage funding to people with aspirational and innovative solutions for homelessness. This aligns with our aim to give as many people as many avenues as possible to get involved and make a difference for our friends on the street.
Project 10,000
We believe that our direct giving programs will help 10,000 people by 2030. By mobilising our donors and supporters, we think we can help our friends on the street and do our bit to end homelessness in Australia.
