The festive season is centred on generosity, yet many Australians find it difficult to choose the most meaningful way to give back. Each year, people look for impactful ways to support those facing hardship, often unsure whether to donate money, or give goods.
This Christmas, Mary MacKillop Today is here to help you focus on what truly makes a difference. If you want to create lasting impact, the most effective giving strategies go far beyond a quick cash donation.
Inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, we focus on building dignity through education, financial inclusion, and livelihoods—supporting families here and in Australia and communities in Timor-Leste, Fiji, and Peru.
Below is a guide to high-impact ways you can help families and communities, both locally in internationally. This season, choose from a range of meaningful options, including powerful non-monetary ways to give, and help create a brighter future.
1. Donate Used Stamps: An Easy and Sustainable Way to Give
This simple, non-monetary act is one of the most accessible ways to support Mary MacKillop Today’s work without spending a cent.
How it Works: Individuals, schools, and workplaces across Australia collect used postage stamps and send them to Mary MacKillop Today. These stamps are sorted and sold to collectors and auction houses.
The Impact: The funds raised from stamp sales go directly towards Mary MacKillop Today’s education and health programs, supporting communities in places such as Timor-Leste and Fiji.
Find out how to start collecting stamps for Mary MacKillop Today!
2. Make a Financial Donation: Strategic Christmas Giving
Financial gifts enable Mary MacKillop Today to provide targeted, dignified assistance where it’s needed most.
Mary MacKillop Today is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), ensuring accountability, transparency, and strong governance.
Your gift helps Mary MacKillop Today support Australian families to address and overcome the root causes of hardship.
Helping Australian Families: Your donation supports programs like the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS), allowing families to access essential items without the risk of debt.
Supporting International Communities: Contributions also help fund education, women’s empowerment, and livelihood initiatives in Peru, Timor-Leste, and Fiji, helping build long-term economic independence.
Make a direct, high-impact donation today
3. Ethical Gift-Giving & Sponsorship
If you’re giving gifts this Christmas, choose options that also support meaningful change.
Symbolic Gifts: Purchase a symbolic gift from Mary MacKillop Today such as a literacy kit or livelihood training, on behalf of someone special.
Workplace Giving: Check whether your employer offers donation matching, which can double the value and impact of your contribution for families facing hardship in Australia and for communities overseas.
This Christmas, your generosity is more than just a donation; it’s an investment in resilience, dignity, and lasting hope. Through your support, individuals and communities can continue to grow stronger and create brighter futures long after the season has passed.
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