ABOUT US
Dignity is a human right
STUDY PROVEN
SAVES LIVES
This year 40,000+ Aussies will sleep on our streets (ABS 2016).
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Up to 21% of street sleeping homeless have suffered hypothermia, frostbite or trenchfoot (MS2H 2011).
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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, national charity Backpack Bed for Homeless (formerly Swags for Homeless) has revolutionised 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.
Hear about our impact
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