Be the turning point in a young person’s life
With your support, the Little Stars Foundation can reach more children in out-of-home care and grow our impact.
Together, we can build a future where every child feels seen, supported, and safe – no matter their start in life.
Make a Big Impact
When You Donate to Little Stars
Contribution of $7,650 funds a full-year scholarship for one child or young person in care, providing weekly one-on-one trauma-informed learning and wellbeing support in our Little Stars Learners Program, curriculum-aligned resources, consistent mentorship, and access to community engagement experiences. This is not a donation – it’s an investment in a life trajectory.
When a child re-engages with learning, their world expands. Confidence grows. Behaviour improves. Connection deepens. And their future opens wide. The impact flows outwards – to carers, families, classrooms, and the wider community. Education is more than knowledge – it’s a foundation for healing, resilience, and lifelong opportunity. Yet right now, we’re seeing an alarming increase in the use of residential care due to a significant decline in available family-based placements. Supporting carers and promoting placement stability has never been more urgent.
The cost of placing a single child in residential care exceeds $600,000 per year. In contrast, the cost of delivering early learning and wraparound support through the Little Stars Learners program is a fraction of that amount, with greater long-term benefits.
Early intervention isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do.
By investing early in children and the carers who support them, we can keep families together, improve educational outcomes, and reduce long-term reliance on costly systems of crisis care.
This is not only a moral imperative – it’s a powerful social and economic solution.
Her love for science shone through…
S is behind other children in her class. She has a global developmental delay, and repetition is the answer for her.
S loves to learn by doing tasks. She has learned some patience. Her love for science has shone through. Her maths, English, and reading skills are much better. I attribute these skills to Little Stars.
By partnering with Little Stars Foundation, your organisation can:
- Fund multiple full-year scholarships in the Little Stars Learners program for children and young people in out-of-home care
- Support program growth into new Queensland regions and schools
- Back innovation in trauma-informed education and mentor training
- Enable sector advocacy and legal reform through philanthropic funding
- Sponsor key operational needs - from recruitment and mentor training to impact reporting
- Underwrite new community engagement initiatives and wellbeing resources
- Become a Founding Partner in our long-term vision to create a national model of care
- Demonstrate deep, authentic commitment to reconciliation and equity for vulnerable children and young people
What Makes Little Stars Different? – Martin Greller’s Insight
Why a Trauma-Informed Approach Matters – Kerri Chard’s Insight
Changing One Child’s Life Changes a Community
Changing One Child’s Life Changes a Community
Changing One Child’s Life Changes a Community
Too many children in care are being left behind – not because they can’t learn, but because their trauma is misunderstood, their needs go unmet, and support comes too late.
At Little Stars Foundation, we believe every child deserves the chance to learn, heal, and thrive. But the reality is stark: children in care face disproportionate rates of school exclusion, disengagement, and long-term disadvantage. The data is clear – without early and effective intervention, these children are more likely to enter a cycle of poor mental health, justice system involvement, and generational trauma.
That’s why we exist – to intervene early, support carers, and keep children connected to learning through our Little Stars Learners program. The need is urgent, the cost of inaction is high, and the opportunity to make a difference has never been greater.
- Children and young people from care make up less than 1% of the school population, yet receive 25% of suspensions and exclusions.
- Trauma often presents as “behavioural issues,” resulting in reduced school hours or full disengagement from education.
- These patterns contribute to lifelong disadvantages, including poor mental health, contact with the justice system, unemployment, and generational trauma.
- Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that nearly 2 in 3 young people (65%) under youth justice supervision in 2022–23 had prior involvement with the child protection system over the past decade. This powerful statistic highlights the urgent need for earlier, more effective support for children in care.
Injecting a little shot of positivity into his days and helping him shine…
D has ADHD and Anxiety, which makes it difficult for him to remain focused in the classroom. D often misses out on information and struggles to see tasks through to completion. D is often singled out for disruptive behaviour, and he was beginning to develop a negative self-perception.
Supporting family-based placements and stability
Supporting family-based placements and stability
Martin Greller’s Perspective
When a child re-engages with learning, their world expands. Confidence grows. Behaviour improves. Connection deepens. And their future opens wide.
The impact flows outwards – to carers, families, classrooms, and the wider community.
Education is more than knowledge – it’s a foundation for healing, resilience, and lifelong opportunity.
Yet right now, we’re seeing an alarming increase in the use of residential care due to a significant decline in available family-based placements. Supporting carers and promoting placement stability has never been more urgent.
The cost of placing a single child in residential care exceeds $600,000 per year.
In contrast, the cost of delivering early learning and wraparound support through the Little Stars Learners program is a fraction of that amount, with greater long-term benefits.
Early intervention isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do.
By investing early in children and the carers who support them, we can keep families together, improve educational outcomes, and reduce long-term reliance on costly systems of crisis care.
This is not only a moral imperative – it’s a powerful social and economic solution.
This powerful return highlights the significant impact of the program in addressing the educational challenges faced by young people in care, creating lasting benefits for individuals and society.
By investing in these young lives, we are breaking the cycle of disadvantage, giving young people in care the opportunity to overcome academic, social, and emotional barriers so that they shine at school and well beyond.
Changing lives, one by one...
One Child, Big Impact
Support a Small Group of Young people for bigger impact
Empower a whole School Community
Grow Regional Impact
Build a Program Hub
Transform the System
Let’s work together to create impact...
Every corporate partnership is tailored to your social impact goals and values.
We offer:
- Co-branded storytelling and impact reporting
- Staff engagement opportunities (e.g. fundraising, volunteering, ambassador roles)
- Executive briefings and cause-related marketing
- Public recognition through media, social campaigns, and events
- Branding alignment and documented Social Return on Investment outcomes
Leave a Gift in your Will
Imagine a future where every child in Queensland thrives, regardless of their circumstances. By leaving a gift in your will to the Little Stars Foundation, you can help turn this vision into reality.
Your generous gift could transform lives, offering vital educational support and positive experiences to disadvantaged children in foster, kinship, and residential care who need them most.
Together, we can break the cycle of disadvantage and ensure that these little stars have the chance to shine. For more information on how to leave a gift in your will please download a Supporter Pack.
Would you like to know more?
We’ve created a simple, heartfelt Information Kit to help you learn more about how Little Stars Learners can make a difference in the lives of children in care.
CONTACT US
Please email us to discuss how we can partner together.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Little Stars Foundation P/L
BSB: 114879
A/C: 432 901 523
DONATE
Visit our donations page to make a lasting impact through your gift.
CREDIT CARD
We can set up regular donations via credit card if required.
