Kids Under Cover

What Kids Under Cover does

Kids Under Cover is a Melbourne-based Australian registered charity (ABN 76 604 592 013) founded in 1989 during the Burdekin Inquiry into Youth Homelessness. The organization delivers early intervention housing and education support for young people aged 12 to 25 at risk of homelessness, primarily due to overcrowded households, family conflict, or transition out of state care. Its core program, the Studio Program, provides relocatable one- or two-bedroom studios installed in the backyards of family or carer homes, constructed using Durra Panel — a carbon-storing, sustainable wheat-straw building material supplied under a 25-plus-year partnership with Ortech Industries. Village 21 extends this into supported communal accommodation for care leavers aged 18-21, delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria and, via the Moorumbina Mongurnallin sub-brand, with VACCA to specifically serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. A Scholarships Program (Ken & Lenka Morgan, Sarah Davies Empowering Women, and DFFH Student Scholarships) provides education resources, and the Resources for Young People and Carers programs add wraparound support.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic and governmental channels rather than fees. Disclosed inflows since 2021 include $6.5M+ from the Victorian Government (across $3.4M and $3.1M tranches for 95 studios), $2.3M from the South Australian Government's Homelessness Prevention Fund (51 studios over three years), $150,000 from JB Hi-Fi's 2023 Helping Hands campaign across 200+ Victorian stores, ongoing individual donations, bequests (facilitated via the Gathered Here wills platform), community fundraising events, and the Donate Your Car program operated with Manheim Auctions since 2006. The organization operates from a Melbourne headquarters at 242 Exhibition Street and a registered office at 383 Swan Street, Richmond.

Name

Kids Under Cover

Legal name

Kids Under Cover

Website

https://kuc.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kids Under Cover is an Australian nonprofit that prevents youth homelessness through early intervention housing, education scholarships, and supported communal accommodation, serving at-risk young people aged 12-25 and their families primarily in Victoria and South Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homelessness Prevention Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness prevention
• Supported accommodation services
• Community housing programs
• Early intervention housing
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting youth homelessness prevention. Donors can give one-time or regular donations via the website.
2. Donate Your Car Program: Vehicles donated to Kids Under Cover are auctioned through partner Manheim, with proceeds funding studio construction and scholarships. Running since 2006.
3. Bequests: Legacy giving through wills, allowing supporters to leave a lasting impact on youth homelessness prevention beyond their lifetime.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Workplace giving programs (e.g., JB Hi-Fi's Helping Hands), corporate donations, and cause marketing partnerships generating significant annual contributions.
5. Government Grants: Federal and state government funding for specific programs. Includes $2.3M from SA Government, $3.4M + $3.1M from Victorian Government for youth justice accommodation, and $50M Victorian Government youth housing funding.
6. Community Fundraising: Events, campaigns, and initiatives led by community members including charity lunches, art auctions, and corporate fundraising events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kids Under Cover provides early intervention housing and education support to prevent youth homelessness. The core offering consists of relocatable one- or two-bedroom studios built in the backyards of family or carer homes for young people aged 12-25 experiencing overcrowding or family conflict, supported communal accommodation through Village 21 for young people transitioning out of care, and a Scholarships Program providing education resources.

Product overview

Kids Under Cover is a youth homelessness prevention organization offering a portfolio of housing and education support programs. The core offering consists of the Studio Program (relocatable backyard studios), Village 21 (supported communal accommodation villages), and Scholarships Program (education funding). The organization operates primarily in Victoria with expansion into South Australia, and runs fundraising initiatives including the Donate Your Car program and bequests/legacy giving. The Studio Program serves as the primary intervention, with scholarships providing complementary educational support, while Village 21 addresses the specific needs of young people transitioning from out-of-home care. Additional services include resources for young people and carers, and the Target450 initiative aiming to prevent homelessness for 450 additional young people nightly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Donate Your Car: Car donation program that auctions donated vehicles to raise funds for Kids Under Cover's Studio and Scholarship programs. Running since 2006, it has been the organization's most successful fundraising initiative.
• Studio Program
• Village 21
• Scholarships Program
• Target450

Products and services

• Studio Program Relocatable one- or two-bedroom backyard studios built for young people aged 12-25 at risk of homelessness due to overcrowding or family conflict. Studios provide independent living space while keeping young people connected to family, school, and community. Built using sustainable Durra Panel materials.
• Village 21 Supported studio accommodation villages providing communal living for young people aged 18-21 transitioning from out-of-home care to independent living, with live-in mentors and professional case management support. Operated in partnership with Anglicare Victoria.
• Moorumbina Mongurnallin Indigenous-specific Village 21 accommodation program designed to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in out-of-home care and homelessness. Developed in partnership with VACCA.
• Scholarships Program Education scholarships providing funding for textbooks, laptops, travel costs, and other resources to support young people in their educational pursuits. Includes Ken & Lenka Morgan Scholarships, Sarah Davies Empowering Women Scholarships, and DFFH Student Scholarships.
• Donate Your Car Program Vehicle donation program where supporters donate cars to be auctioned through Manheim Auctions, with total proceeds funding Kids Under Cover's Studio and Scholarship programs. Free pickup provided.
• Bequests Program Legacy giving program allowing supporters to leave a gift in their Will to Kids Under Cover, partnered with Gathered Here online Will-writing platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Young people housed every night in Victoria
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• JB Hi-FicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2019, JB Hi-Fi has partnered with Kids Under Cover through their 'Helping Hands' workplace giving program. Staff participate in annual 'Undercover' campaigns across 200+ Victorian stores, raising over $150,000 in 2023. The partnership has significantly supported expansion into South Australia and funded studios and scholarships.
• Anglicare VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Village 21 supported accommodation program. Anglicare Victoria provides case management support and operational expertise for young people transitioning from out-of-home care, while Kids Under Cover provides the accommodation infrastructure.
• Ortech IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationFor over 25 years, Ortech Industries has provided Durra Panel sustainable building materials for Kids Under Cover studios. The panels are made from wheat straw stubble, store carbon, and are fully relocatable. Derek Layfield, Managing Director, has been a long-term supporter championing the sustainability benefits.
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with VACCA to develop Village 21 Moorumbina Mongurnallin supported accommodation for young Indigenous people. VACCA ran art competition for carpet design in the village. Funded by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
• Swinburne University of TechnologysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Paul Stolz conducted research on the long-term impact of Kids Under Cover's Studio Program, interviewing 35 young people and families. Research validates program effectiveness in improving mental health, educational outcomes, and preventing homelessness.
• Gathered HeresupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Australia's most trusted online Wills platform to help supporters write free wills and include a gift to Kids Under Cover. Supports the organization's bequest/legacy giving program.
• Manheim AuctionssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuction partner for Donate Your Car program. Manheim handles vehicle auctions with free nationwide shipping for buyers. 100% of auction proceeds go to Kids Under Cover's Studio and Scholarship programs.
• OracleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that invited Kids Under Cover to participate in Oracle Construction Technology Summit. Event featured 'Hoops for Cover' basketball activation raising over $800 for the organization.
• A Few Good Folkers (FGF)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork of Victorian business owners hosting annual charity footy lunch events. Has raised almost $1 million for community organizations since 2007, with Kids Under Cover as a key beneficiary and co-host of the annual event.
• Youth Development AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizers of the annual National Children and Youth Homelessness Conference. Kids Under Cover collaborates on this sector-leading event bringing together government, academia, NGO executives, and advocates with lived experience.
• healthAbilitysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity service organization that referred Maria's family for a Kids Under Cover studio and provided ongoing support services. Example of referral pathway for families accessing the program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Covenant House: International nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking. Comparable beneficiary cohort and supported-accommodation model, serving as a benchmark for international replication of KUC's Village 21 concept.

Broad incumbents

• Mission Australia: One of Australia's largest community-service nonprofits, operating homelessness, housing, and youth programs nationally including the cited 'Staying Home' Youth Homelessness Report. Broader scale and scope, but overlapping youth homelessness mission.
• Habitat for Humanity Australia: International housing nonprofit building affordable and supported housing in Australia. Comparable in providing physical housing solutions for vulnerable populations, though broader focus on affordable home ownership.
• Salvation Army Australia: Major faith-based provider of crisis accommodation, transitional housing, and youth services across Australia. Broad incumbent with overlapping beneficiaries in youth homelessness, though much larger and more diversified.

Direct peers

• Melbourne City Mission: Long-standing Victorian nonprofit serving at-risk children, young people, and families through housing, education, and mental health programs. Highly comparable mission and beneficiary cohort to Kids Under Cover.
• MacKillop Family Services: Australian Catholic agency providing out-of-home care, foster care, and youth services including housing for children and young people. Comparable in serving foster families and youth exiting care, a core Kids Under Cover segment.
• Frontyard Youth Services: Melbourne-based youth-specific service operated by Melbourne City Mission supporting young people experiencing homelessness or risk. Directly comparable target population and Melbourne operating geography.
• Launch Housing: Major Australian homelessness and youth housing nonprofit operating across Victoria. Directly comparable as a same-geography provider of supported accommodation and homelessness prevention services for vulnerable youth and families.
• Anglicare Victoria: Strategic JV partner already co-delivering Village 21 supported accommodation with Kids Under Cover. Comparable Victorian child, youth, and family services organization with overlapping housing and out-of-home care programs.
• Haven; Home, Safe: Victorian affordable housing and homelessness support provider, including youth housing programs. Comparable in providing transitional and affordable housing for at-risk populations in Victoria.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kidsundercover
• Facebookfacebook.com/kidsundercover
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-under-cover
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidsundercover

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kids Under Cover