Frequently asked questions

Sacred Heart Mission is an innovative not-for-profit organisation providing individualised support and services to people who are experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. We have developed a reputation as a respected and well-known social services provider that understands homelessness and uses creative, evidence-based solutions to address it.

It is only through the generosity of people like you that we can continue to provide vital services in your community. To find out more about how the individual services we offer are making a difference, and what impact you can make, please visit our ‘impact’ page.

In accordance with Sacred Heart Mission’s rules of association we use all donations received towards furthering our purposes of alleviating and preventing homelessness, poverty and social isolation. Your gift will have a big impact on the lives of people living with disadvantage.

Sacred Heart Mission is funded through a combination of government funding and community support. The split is roughly 50% through local, state and federal funding and 50% through our op shops and fundraising activities. This varies slightly year on year, depending on government funding priorities.

All operation and overhead costs are wrapped up within individual program area budgets, and total cost associated with delivering each program can be found in our annual reports. At Sacred Heart Mission, we understand our impact is the biggest measure of success, and we continuously work towards lowering internal spending while delivering the best possible service to the most marginalised people.

Sacred Heart Mission operates on a cash flow basis, so any income received is spent on our program and service areas. A small portion is invested through fundraising activities – all with the objective of delivering our strategic goals. To give you an idea of the effectiveness of the fundraising delivered at the Mission, in the 2020-21 financial year, for every $1 spent (including all marketing and wages costs) $3.12 was raised.

Yes, donations that honour the lives of loved ones, or celebrate personal milestones through memorial, or celebratory gifts are a very special and meaningful way to give back to the community. Learn more about making gifts in honor or celebration.

When donating online to Sacred Heart Mission, your card details are securely processed and encrypted. We ONLY store the last four digits of your card number to verify which transaction is yours.

Sacred Heart Mission is required to meet strict data security standards in order to process your donation online. These standards are imposed by the payment card industry, and our compliance is assessed on a regular basis to ensure your payment details are kept safe.

We care about our donors security and privacy. If you would like to learn more please read our Privacy Statement, or contact us by calling 1800 443 278 or emailing fundraisingsupporters@sacredheartmission.org.

Yes, all charitable donations over $2 are tax deductible for Australian tax-payers.

Receipts will be provided via email for online donations, and via post for all other gifts. For monthly donations, one tax receipt covering the entire financial year will be posted to you in July.

*All ticketed events, sale of goods, and services are not charitable donations.

Giving monthly is one of the most valuable ways you can support the work of Sacred Heart Mission, thank you.

Regular donations through your Credit Card can be set up online via our donation form. Make sure to tick the Recurring Gift box!

Regular deductions from your bank account can be set up over the phone by calling 1800 443 278, or by using our account information to schedule a regular automatic transaction with your bank. Please call or email us on fundraisingsupporters@sacredheartmission.org to provide us with your contact details, so we can send you your yearly tax receipt in July.

• Account name: Sacred Heart Mission Inc.
• BSB: 083 419
• Account: 51 55 55 611
• Reference: RG + your ID number and/or your Last Name

Your monthly donation is always under your control, you can change the amount, put your donation on hold, or cancel your gift at any time by calling 1800 443 278.

If you have moved house, have a new phone number or need to change your details for any reason simply contact us by phone or email on 1800 443 278 or emailing fundraisingsupporters@sacredheartmission.org.

If you want to change the communications you receive, or how frequently you receive them, call 1800 443 278 or email communication@sacredheart.mission.org.

Most of our op shops are open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. Check the opening hours for the op shops near you here.

All our op shops across Melbourne accept quality clothes donations during opening hours (usually from 9am to 5pm, seven days per week). Please call your local store if you have any questions.

Please don’t leave your donations out the front or back of our shops outside opening hours – we want to be able to welcome and thank you for your donation.

Find your closest op shop and contact details here.

We accept good quality donations of clothes, books, homewares, furniture and more. If you’re unsure, learn here what items we can and cannot accept in our stores.

We have a free collection service travelling to your home or business in the inner Melbourne area to collect larger donations such as furniture, white goods and large quantities of clothes, books and household items. Learn more about our collection service and book a collection time.

No, we don’t have op shop bins. Our friendly op shop staff accepts your quality clothes donations at our op shops across Melbourne during business hours.

Please don’t leave your donations out the front or back of our shops outside opening hours – dumping is not donating.
Learn what donations we accept and find your local op shop here.

Sacred Heart Mission has introduced a policy of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. This means that all staff, volunteers, and contractors within our organisation aged 18 years and order must have had at least 3 vaccinations against COVID-19, or have a medical or special exemption, in order to work at Sacred Heart Mission. This decision aligns with the Victorian Government’s Public Health Orders requiring all residential aged care workers and authorised workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Mission has taken a policy position to extend this to all staff, volunteers, and contractors.

We offer a free collection service for large donations in the inner Melbourne area. Click here for more information about our collection area and to arrange a collection time.

We are always looking for volunteers to help out in our op shops.

To apply, visit your favourite store and enquire at the counter – or learn more about op shop volunteering and check our volunteering opportunities here.

By donating your clothes and other quality items, you are helping us raise funds for Sacred Heart Mission’s various programs and services, including the Women’s House and our Dining Hall. Every $4 you spend in our op shops, provides one meal to a member of our community.

Our Pathways Workers are available everyday from 10am to 1pm to provide advocacy, referral and support. To talk to us, drop by at 87 Grey Street, St Kilda 3182. Everyone is welcome!

Our Dining Hall remains closed for sit-down dining until further notice. In the meantime, we’ll be offering one, free take-away meal a day that combines breakfast and lunch to our Dining Hall clients. The meals will be served over three hours, from 10am until 1pm, outside the front gate of our Dining Hall (87 Grey St, St Kilda).

We currently don’t offer meals at the Women’s House; all Women’s House clients are welcome to pick up a free meal from outside our front gate of our Dining Hall during those times.

Our Dining Hall remains closed for sit-down dining until further notice. This is in keeping with most homelessness meals services throughout Melbourne and in line with Victorian COVID safe requirements. It offers the safest possible service to our community. You can find further information about our temporary Dining Hall closure here.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get notified when our Dining Hall reopens.

Unfortunately, our showers and laundry service at 87 Grey Street and at the Women’s House are closed.

Unfortunately, no. The laundries at 87 Grey St, St Kilda and at the Women’s House will be closed until further notice.

Orange Sky provides a mobile washing service. Check their website for up-to-date information.

Yes, we have a Covid Safe Plan outlining how we’re providing a safe work environment for our staff, clients and volunteers and minimises the chances of them contracting coronavirus on our site. Our staff and volunteers have also signed a Covid Safe Code of Conduct, ensuring they understand their responsibilities in the workplace.

Yes, all our staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated.

Sacred Heart Mission has introduced a policy of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. This means that all staff, volunteers, and contractors within our organisation aged 18 years and order must have had at least 3 vaccinations against COVID-19, or have a medical or special exemption, in order to work at Sacred Heart Mission. This decision aligns with the Victorian Government’s Public Health Orders requiring all residential aged care workers and authorised workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Mission has taken a policy position to extend this to all staff, volunteers, and contractors.

We take our responsibility to protect the health of our vulnerable clients, customers, the communities we serve and our staff and volunteers seriously, and this policy signals our contribution as a community services leader to the overall effort to address COVID-19.

Face masks may need to be worn indoors and outdoors in accordance with Victoria’s current Covid-19 restrictions.

Thank you for your interest in supporting us and the people we serve. We are grateful to have compassionate supporters who are extending their solidarity to all, particularly for the most vulnerable people in our community, including people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

In these challenging times we rely on our generous community more than we have ever before: please make a donation today so we can continue our services that will help people cope for as long as we practically can, so they too feel supported during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.

We understand not everyone has the means to make a financial contribution. In this case, we welcome you to show your support by staying in touch with us: subscribe to our Heartbeat newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn – and send us virtual hugs. Together, we can get through this.

There are numerous areas across Sacred Heart Mission where you can volunteer. View our current volunteering opportunities here. 

Sacred Heart Mission is sustained by a deep pool of generosity and support from the community. This ensures we can continue to develop and innovate into the future, offering greater choices and integrated services so people can have the benefit of carefully tailored support to addresses their individual needs.

The minimum age for volunteering is 15. Teenagers can volunteer in our op shops individually (Prahran (Chapel Street), Hawthorn, Fitzroy and Bentleigh) and also at the Meals Program (through school volunteering), where you will be part of a group. To volunteer in other areas, you must be 18 years or above.

Corporate volunteers contribute significantly to Sacred Heart Mission’s work and are a vital part of our volunteer program. To get involved please email our Corporate Volunteering Officer Nicci Smith at nsmith@sacredheartmission.org.

On Christmas Day we can only accept volunteers who have completed at least 10 shifts. This is because we need highly experienced volunteers because we usually have about 400 people just for lunch.

On your first day as a volunteer you will receive an induction to your role by the relevant coordinator. All new volunteers will be asked to complete online training modules, which will depend on your role. Completing the online modules is a compulsory part of your volunteering.

Due to the costs involved for us as an organisation in getting new volunteers inducted, we generally ask for a six-month commitment. However in certain programs we do have some more flexibility to take on shorter term volunteers. Once-off volunteering can only be done as part of the fundraising team or as part of a group that is supporting us.

All volunteers need to have a National Police Check that is no older than three months. Sacred Heart Mission covers the cost of your Police Check. We just need to sight your original ID or your certified copies.

This depends on the program. For example, all Women’s Services volunteers need a current Working with Children Check.

All volunteers handling food will need a food safety certificate. Following universal infection control and food handling guidelines people completing shifts in the Dining Hall may also be required to wear a hairnet or cap, disposable gloves and a face mask.

All the relevant compliance will be sent to you prior to you starting your role and there will not be any costs for you.