CafeSmart is a national fundraising initiative led by StreetSmart Australia, a not-for-profit organization that mobilizes the coffee industry to support grassroots solutions to homelessness. Since its inception, CafeSmart has become one of Australia’s most impactful hospitality-led campaigns, connecting thousands of cafés, roasters, and coffee lovers with local homelessness services and community organizations.
Core Business
CafeSmart functions as a community-driven fundraising campaign rather than a traditional business. Its operational model includes:
- Partnering with cafés and roasters across Australia
- Hosting an annual nationwide event where participating cafés donate $1 from every coffee sold
- Engaging customers in optional donation opportunities
- Distributing funds to local grassroots charities addressing homelessness and social disadvantage
CafeSmart provides a platform for hospitality venues to become agents of social change by leveraging the daily ritual of coffee consumption.
Product and Service Offerings
Fundraising Campaign
- Annual CafeSmart Event – Typically held in August, this flagship event unites hundreds of cafés and roasters in a day of action and awareness
- Donation Matching – StreetSmart partners with corporate donors and sponsors to match café contributions
- Local Giving Model – 100% of funds raised are returned to the same communities where they were generated, strengthening local impact
Though not offering commercial products, CafeSmart’s primary “service” is its efficient, high-impact fundraising ecosystem linking cafés with causes.
Specialisation and USP
CafeSmart is unique in its positioning as:
- A hyper-local giving model – Funds are directed to small, local charities often overlooked by large-scale funders
- Hospitality-driven fundraising – Focused specifically on the coffee industry as a vehicle for change
- Low-barrier participation – Cafés can join easily, with StreetSmart providing marketing kits, signage, and campaign support
- 100% pass-through donation model – Ensures transparency and trust with all participants
The campaign turns everyday coffee purchases into acts of generosity and civic engagement.
Financial Performance
As part of StreetSmart Australia, a registered charity, CafeSmart’s financials are disclosed in annual reports. Highlights include:
- Over $2 million raised since the campaign launched in 2011
- More than 1,100 small grants distributed to frontline homelessness services across every state and territory
- In 2022 alone, over $160,000 was raised and distributed to 130 local organizations
Funds raised are channeled into micro-grants that support food relief, emergency housing, mental health support, family violence services, and youth outreach.
Impact and Distribution
CafeSmart’s distribution model ensures hyper-local impact:
- Grants range between $500 – $2,000, ideal for supporting specific, immediate needs
- Grant recipients include housing services, meal programs, drop-in centers, and grassroots social enterprises
- Annual reach includes rural, regional, and metro areas of Australia
Each dollar raised from a participating café supports community services within a close radius, enhancing visibility and local engagement.
Target Market
CafeSmart engages a broad range of stakeholders:
- Café and coffee roasters who wish to embed social impact into their brand and community presence
- Coffee consumers looking to make a difference through everyday habits
- Corporate donors and sponsors seeking to support high-transparency, local-impact charitable work
The initiative attracts socially conscious businesses and consumers who value direct community impact.
Capabilities
- Nationwide Network: Hundreds of cafés and dozens of roasters participate annually
- Grant Administration: Efficient micro-grant processing to vetted community services
- Marketing Support: Branded materials and digital assets to boost café visibility
- Social Impact Reporting: Public grant listings and impact stories post-campaign
Certifications and Compliance
CafeSmart and StreetSmart Australia operate as registered charities with:
- Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status
- Annual reporting to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
- Transparency in fundraising, with clearly documented disbursement reports
Customer Testimonials
“CafeSmart has become an annual highlight for us. It’s a simple, meaningful way to give back to our community.” – Café Owner, Melbourne
“As a customer, it feels good knowing that my morning coffee is helping someone in need, right here in my neighborhood.” – CaféSmart Donor
Major Achievements
- Raised over $2 million since 2011, directly supporting homelessness solutions
- Recognized by hospitality leaders as Australia’s premier coffee-for-cause campaign
- Built a coalition of 700+ cafés and 50+ roasters contributing to social change
- Enabled 1,100+ micro-grants to small grassroots organizations nationwide
- Continues to grow post-pandemic, reflecting strong trust in the StreetSmart brand and model
