GROW

What GROW does

GROW Australia Incorporated is a registered Australian charity (ACNC; ABN 12 008 485 827) founded on 26 April 1957 in Hurstville, Sydney by Con Keogh as an offshoot of Alcoholics Anonymous for people recovering from mental breakdown. It operates as a community-managed peer-to-peer mental health support organisation, currently delivering services across all eight Australian states and territories via approximately 50 paid staff and over 300 volunteers, led by National CEO Elaine De Vos (appointed July 2024) and Board Chair John Della Bosca AM. The core offering is the Grow Program — a 12-step peer-to-peer mutual help and personal development methodology documented in the Blue Book (Program of Personal Growth) — delivered through weekly face-to-face groups, online eGrow groups via Zoom, a six-week Growing Resilience online course, school-based Get Growing curriculum (90+ schools, 1,200+ students), a 30+-year-old Residential Rehabilitation facility in West Hoxton (NSW), and ACT/NSW supported accommodation. Specialised cohorts include Young Adults (18–35), LGBTQI+ members (Rainbow & Allies), veterans and ADF families (Operation Resilience with NT Government), and WA psychosocial support recipients (Grow Reconnect, Commonwealth CPSP).

The organisation operates on a charitable, non-commercial model: all programs are provided free to participants. Revenue is not publicly disclosed but is derived from a mix of state/territory and Commonwealth government grants (notably the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program in WA and the NT Government Operation Thrive partnership), individual donations (tax-deductible $2+ under ACNC), recurring workplace giving via Workplace Giving Australia, bequests, and merchandise sales through the GROW eStore (socks, hoodies, apparel, publications including the Growing to Recovery 65th Anniversary book). Reported member outcomes include 76% overcoming suicidal thoughts, 68% stopping suicide attempts, 93% satisfaction, and 84% not hospitalised since joining, drawn from the 2025 Annual Member Feedback Survey (524 responses). There is no disclosed proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies on community-based groups, Zoom video conferencing, and a standard e-commerce storefront. The technology stack is non-differentiated and there are no AI/ML capabilities disclosed.

Name

GROW

Legal name

GROW Australia Incorporated

Website

https://grow.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GROW Australia is a registered charity founded in 1957 that delivers free peer-to-peer mental health support programs across all Australian states and territories, serving adults, young adults, school-aged participants, LGBTQI+ members, veterans, and ADF families through weekly groups, online sessions, residential rehabilitation, and school curricula.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Peer Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Peer support groups
• Mental health recovery
• Psychosocial support
• Residential rehabilitation
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: GROW relies on donations from individuals and businesses. The organization accepts one-time donations, recurring donations, bank transfers, cheques, money orders, and PayPal. GROW is a registered ACNC charity with tax-deductible donation status for donations of $2 and over.
2. Government Funding: GROW is funded by state and territory governments to deliver mental health programs and services across Australia.
3. Merchandise Sales: GROW operates an eStore selling merchandise including socks, hoodies, t-shirts, caps, and publications like 'Growing to Recovery'. All profits from merchandise sales are reinvested into GROW programs.
4. Workplace Giving: Businesses and employees can support GROW by donating from pre-tax income through workplace giving programs, either directly through payroll systems or via Workplace Giving Australia.
5. Bequests and Legacy Giving: GROW accepts gifts left in Wills, allowing supporters to leave a lasting legacy to support mental health programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GROW is a community-based peer support charity that delivers a 12-step mutual help and personal growth program (the Grow Program) for people recovering from mental ill-health. Programs are run weekly in face-to-face groups and replicated online as eGrow via Zoom, with supplementary offerings including residential rehabilitation, supported accommodation, school programs, and psychosocial support — all provided free of charge to participants.

Product overview

GROW is a community-based peer support and mutual-aid organisation for mental health recovery. Its core offering is the Grow Program, a 12-step peer-to-peer group program delivered both face-to-face and online via Zoom (eGrow). The portfolio spans: in-person peer support groups; eGrow (Zoom-based online groups); Residential Rehabilitation (structured live-in program for co-occurring mental health and substance use issues); Supported Accommodation (ACT/NSW); Growing Resilience (6-week online course); Young Adults Program (18–35); Rainbow & Allies (LGBTQI+ groups); Get Growing (schools program for ages 11–17); Grow Reconnect (psychosocial support in WA); Social Prescription (GP referral pathway in WA); plus community content products including a podcast series, video testimonials, and written recovery stories published in the Growing to Recovery book. GROW also sells branded merchandise (socks, apparel) to raise funds, with socks available as a monthly subscription. Programs are free to participants and funded through government grants, donations, and merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grow Program
• eGrow (Online Grow Program)
• Residential Rehabilitation
• Growing Resilience
• Young Adults Program
• Rainbow & Allies Grow Group
• Get Growing (School Program)
• ACT Residential Rehabilitation / Supported Accommodation
• Grow Reconnect (WA)
• Social Prescription (WA Only)
• Growing to Recovery (Publication)
• Sock it to Stigma (Merchandise)

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% of members overcame suicidal thoughts
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Northern Territory Government (NTG) - Operation ThrivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025GROW has partnered with the NT Government to launch Operation Resilience, part of Operation Thrive initiative. This partnership provides peer-led programs to veterans and their families in the Northern Territory to build resilience and empower recovery. GROW will deliver a suite of programs including veteran/family programs and the Get Growing school program for ADF students.
• Workplace Giving AustraliasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGROW partners with Workplace Giving Australia as a free payroll agency, enabling businesses and employees to make workplace donations from pre-tax income. This channel partnership helps expand GROW's donor base through corporate workplace giving programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Mental Health America: Mental Health America is a US community-based nonprofit addressing the needs of those living with mental illness through advocacy, education, and peer support. Comparable to GROW in mutual-aid peer support and awareness focus, but operates primarily in the US market.
• Orygen: Orygen is Australia's leading youth mental health research and clinical translation organization, focused on 12-25 year olds. Partially comparable to GROW's Get Growing school program in youth segment focus, but emphasizes clinical/research rather than peer-led mutual aid.

Direct peers

• Wellways Australia: Wellways is an Australian mental health and disability support nonprofit providing recovery-oriented community programs, peer support, and accommodation. Highly comparable to GROW in peer-led recovery model and NDIS/government-funded service mix.
• Headspace (Australia): Headspace is the Australian government's flagship youth mental health foundation, providing free or low-cost services to 12-25 year olds. Comparable to GROW's Get Growing and Young Adults programs as a youth-focused mental health service provider funded by Commonwealth.
• Mind Australia: Mind Australia is a national community-managed mental health provider delivering recovery-focused psychosocial support, housing, and peer work programs. Closely comparable to GROW in its focus on peer-led recovery support and residential/community mental health services.
• SANE Australia: SANE Australia is a national mental health charity providing peer-led support, information, and referral services for people affected by complex mental health issues. Highly comparable to GROW as an Australian peer-support nonprofit serving adults with mental ill-health.
• Beyond Blue: Beyond Blue is one of Australia's largest mental health organizations, providing 24/7 support, information, and online peer communities for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Comparable to GROW in mission and Australian government funding profile, though at significantly larger scale.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI is the largest US grassroots mental health organization, providing peer-led support groups, education, and advocacy for people affected by mental illness. Closely comparable to GROW in mutual-aid peer-support philosophy and nonprofit structure, operating at much larger US scale.
• Mental Health Foundation Australia: Mental Health Foundation Australia is a national nonprofit promoting mental health and wellbeing through research, education, and community programs. Comparable to GROW in Australian mental health promotion and awareness role.
• Lifeline Australia: Lifeline is a national charity providing 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services across Australia, primarily via volunteer-staffed phone and text lines. Comparable to GROW as a large Australian mental health charity reliant on volunteers and government/donor funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/growau
• Facebookfacebook.com/growau
• LinkedInau.linkedin.com/company/grow-australia

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 GROW