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 donorcare@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 you choose the “Monthly” option.

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 donorcare@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: 083 004
• Account number: 42 074 0697
• 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 or if you would like to change the communications you receive, or how frequently you receive them simply contact us by phone or email on 1800 443 278 or emailing donorcare@sacredheartmission.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 10am 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.

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 $5 you spend in our op shops, provides one meal to a member of our community.

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.

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.