ABOUT US
Dignity is a human right
STUDY PROVEN
SAVES LIVES
This year 40,000+ Aussies will sleep on our streets (ABS 2016).
0%
Up to 21% of street sleeping homeless have suffered hypothermia, frostbite or trenchfoot (MS2H 2011).
0%
92% of Backpack Bed recipients expect to sleep on the street for more than a week.
0%
Backpack Beds are 100% funded by public donations. Your donation is tax deductible.
STUDY PROVEN
SAVES LIVES
This year 40,000+ Aussies will sleep on our streets (ABS 2011).
0%
Up to 21% of street sleeping homeless have suffered hypothermia, frostbite or trenchfoot (MS2H 2011).
0%
92% of Backpack Bed recipients expect to sleep on the street for more than a week.
0%
Backpack Beds are 100% funded by public donations. Your donation is tax deductible.
Australia’s highest honour
– Best Community Organisation
– Awarded by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Established in Melbourne 2007, Backpack Bed for Homeless (formerly Swags for Homeless) is a national homeless charity. We help the homeless via answering the question of what to do when homeless have no shelter.
Founder Tony Clark and his wife Lisa designed the life-saving Sleeping Bag Hypothermia Pack & Backpack Bed emergency bed to give dignity to homeless people without shelter.
"With only 3 full time staff – we work incredibly hard. We believe there is no greater gift, than giving someone dignity." Tony & Lisa Clark
Driven by demand.
Donations made in Australia are used in Australia. The social impact of our program has been calculated as $3,319 / Backpack Bed - which equates to more than $117m of social impact across Australia (Source: 180 Degrees Consulting, 2018).
Testament to success, the Backpack Bed Program has successfully been implemented in 8 countries – Australia, USA, UK, NZ, Germany, Canada, South Africa and Spain.
7 International Product Design Awards + Acquired by 4 Museums
Partner Homeless Agencies
Join our 800+ Homeless Agency Partners to distribute Backpack Bed emergency beds.
Our Goals
Professionally registered with:
- Work Place Giving
- Share Gift Australia
- Goodcompany
- Good 2 Give
Financial Responsibility
Audited every year. Backpack Bed for Homeless is a registered national charity (DGR item 1 & PBI). Donations over $2 are tax deductible. We are not government funded. Click here to view our official Government registrations.
UN Global Compact Signatory
Backpack Bed for Homeless is a signatory to the UN Global Compact. We follow the 10 principles in the areas of: Human Rights Labour, Environment, and Anti-corruption. We are also working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Newsletter Signup
up to 4 emails / year
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.