What Brave Foundation does

Brave Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit organisation, incorporated in 2009 and headquartered in Kingston, Tasmania, that delivers free, personalised 12-month mentoring programs to expecting and parenting young people (under 25) who became parents as teenagers. Its flagship programs — the Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens (SEPT) Program, launched nationally in 2018 across eight sites and now operating in all six Australian states and the Northern Territory, and the Young Dads Program, scaled to full operation in Victoria in October 2025 — pair participants with professional mentors who co-design a Pathway Plan covering education, employment, health, parenting skills, and social connection. Since 2018, Brave has supported more than 1,400 young Australians and currently serves over 320 participants annually, with 77% of recent participants at risk of homelessness or homeless at referral.

The organisation is structured as a hybrid service-and-advocacy entity. Beyond direct mentoring, it operates a national Directory of Services database, a Scholarships Program, and a Centre of Excellence initiative that publishes research, hosts the Turning Point national symposium, and maintains advisory relationships with federal and state governments. Brave's technology footprint is intentionally lean: a website with self- and professional-referral pathways, a Directory of Services database, a digital delivery platform enabling virtual mentoring, and an interactive Pathway Plan; there is no disclosed AI, mobile app, or proprietary software product. Programs are grounded in lived-experience leadership via the EVYP Advisory Group and a dedicated First Nations team including an Aunty in Residence.

Brave's revenue model is grant- and donation-funded rather than commercially priced. The federal Department of Social Services provides $4.3M AUD over two years (secured May 2024), the Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet provides $1.8M AUD over four years (secured May 2025), and multi-year philanthropic commitments come from Paul Ramsay Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, RM Ansett Trust, and Ross Trust. Additional unrestricted income is generated through individual donations (monthly, one-off, celebration, Facebook fundraisers), corporate partnerships (workplace giving, in-kind, cause-related marketing, volunteering), bequests (via EveryWill partnership), and community fundraising. Programs are free at point of use, distributed via face-to-face hubs and virtual delivery, and intake is processed through a Central Intake Panel reviewing referrals weekly from self-referrals, professionals, and support persons.

Name

Brave Foundation

Legal name

Brave Foundation

Website

https://bravefoundation.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Brave Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit, founded 2009, that delivers free 12-month personalised mentoring (SEPT and Young Dads programs) and related services to expecting and parenting young people under 25 across all six Australian states and the Northern Territory, funded primarily by federal and state government grants alongside philanthropic contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth & Family Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

Keywords

• Youth mentoring services
• Teen parent support
• Family support programs
• Social services nonprofit
• Young parent advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Blackmans Bay

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding: Primary government funding from the Department of Social Services ($4.3 million over two years as of May 2024) for the SEPT Program. Previously funded through Office of Women within Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for three years.
2. State Government Funding: Tasmanian Government funding ($1.8 million over four years under Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy as of May 2025) for SEPT Program delivery in Tasmania.
3. Philanthropic Grants: Funding from Paul Ramsay Foundation (for program support team expansion), Minderoo Foundation (three-year 'Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Future' collaboration), RM Ansett Trust (three-year contribution for Young Dads Program Victoria), Ross Trust.
4. Individual Donations: Regular donations (monthly), one-off donations, celebration donations (baby showers, birthdays, weddings), Facebook fundraisers. All donations are tax deductible.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partnerships including workplace giving programs, in-kind support (donated goods/services), cause related marketing, event partnerships, and staff volunteering.
6. Bequests: Gifts in wills including specified percentage of estate, specific dollar amounts, residue or portion of residue, or specific assets (superannuation, bank accounts, shares). Partnership with EveryWill for free online will creation.
7. Community Fundraising: Community groups and schools organizing fundraisers (community events, fitness challenges, bake sales, raffles). Speaker requests for schools or events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Brave Foundation provides free 12-month personalised mentoring programs (SEPT Program and Young Dads Program) for expecting and parenting young people under 25 in Australia, pairing participants with professional mentors to develop personalised Pathway Plans covering education, employment, health, wellbeing, and parenting skills. The organisation also operates a national Directory of Services database, a Scholarships Program, and a Centre of Excellence initiative focused on research, advocacy, and policy influence.

Product overview

Brave Foundation offers a suite of programs centered on its flagship Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens (SEPT) Program—a free 12-month personalized mentoring service that matches young parents with professional mentors. The portfolio includes the Young Dads Program (tailored specifically for young fathers), a Directory of Services (national database of support resources), a Scholarships Program for education and workforce participation, and the Centre of Excellence initiative focused on research and advocacy. The organization also hosts the Turning Point Symposium as a national knowledge-sharing event. All programs emphasize one-on-one mentorship, goal-setting through Pathway Plans, and connecting participants to local services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEPT Program: Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens (SEPT) Program - a unique, personalised and free mentoring program matching expecting or parenting young people with professional mentors for 12 months.
• Young Dads Program
• Centre of Excellence

Products and services

• Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens (SEPT) Program A free 12-month mentoring program that matches expecting or parenting young people with professional mentors who work with participants on personalized pathway plans covering education, workforce participation, social connection, health and wellbeing, life skills, and parenting skills.
• Young Dads Program A mentoring program designed specifically for young fathers, based on the SEPT Program but tailored to meet the unique needs and experiences of young dads through one-on-one professional mentor support.
• Directory of Services A national database of health and wellbeing, pregnancy and education services for expecting or parenting young people, searchable by state and category.
• Scholarships Program Financial assistance program for SEPT program participants to access education, training and workforce participation activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• $4.51 of social value created for every $1 invested in SEPT program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre of Research Excellence in StillbirthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Research collaboration as part of Safer BabySEEK national initiative ($3 million MRFF funding). Brave and University of Melbourne researchers leading stream focused on young parents, ensuring their voices shape resources that improve communication and support during pregnancy.
• Minderoo FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Three-year collaboration (Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Future) to amplify and elevate the voices of young parents. The project puts young parents at the forefront of research, advocacy and communications on matters affecting them and their children nationally. Minderoo Foundation is supporting the First Nations component including Aunty in Residence role and First Nations Lived Experience Coordinator position.
• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Kelsey Deane from University of Melbourne partnering with Brave. Joint research project to co-design accessible resources promoting help-seeking, reducing stigma, and improving communication between young parents and healthcare professionals.
• Social Ventures Australia (SVA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrave honoured to be one of eight integration initiatives featured in SVA's Integration of Early Years Services Learnings for Impact report, developed in partnership with Brotherhood of St Laurence.
• EveryWill (formerly Gathered Here)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Australia's most-trusted end-of-life services site to offer supporters a free online will. Enables supporters to make important preparations while pledging a gift to Brave.
• The First Hello ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPassionate supporters of Brave's work with young parents. Threw their whole-hearted support behind Brave and their meaningful impact across the nation.
• Healthdirect AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInformation partner displayed on Brave's website. Healthdirect Australia provides health information and services directory.
• SEED FuturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial Economic Empowerment Department (SEED) that separated from Brave in 2024 and established independently. Previously part of Brave's organizational structure, now operates as separate entity.
• Community Organisations and SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMentors work from local hub sites and community organisations. Schools refer pregnant/parenting students. Multiple education providers partner with Brave to support student parents.
• Baby RestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Baby Rest providing young parents with highly sought after sleep support for their babies - an Australian first for young parent support services.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tresillian Family Care Centres: NSW-based NFP providing early parenting support, residential and day-stay services, and parenting helplines for families with young children. Comparable to Brave in its perinatal/parenting focus, evidence-based service model, and Australian NFP funding structure.
• Karitane: Australian NFP providing parenting support, early childhood, and perinatal mental health services across NSW. Directly comparable to Brave's perinatal and parenting support work, with a similar model of professional mentoring and education for vulnerable parents.
• Ngala: Western Australia-based parenting and early childhood NFP supporting families with young children through parenting education, helplines, and family support. Highly comparable to Brave's pregnancy and parenting focus, with a similar Australian NFP service-delivery and funding model.
• Berry Street: Major Australian NFP providing child, youth, and family services across Victoria and beyond, including early intervention, family preservation, and mentoring-style support. Comparable to Brave in its frontline service model serving vulnerable young families and reliance on government and philanthropic funding.
• YWCA Australia: Australian women's and families NFP providing housing, early intervention, mentoring, and family support programs. Comparable to Brave in its focus on young women, families, and the use of one-on-one mentoring, with similar government/philanthropy revenue mix.
• MacKillop Family Services: Australian Catholic NFP supporting vulnerable children, young people, and families through out-of-home care, family services, and education programs. Comparable to Brave in target population, mentoring and case-management approach, and NFP sector positioning with similar funding structures.
• The Smith Family: One of Australia's largest children and families-focused NFPs, providing education, financial, and family support to disadvantaged children and young people. Highly comparable to Brave in mission, target demographic, and Australian NFP funding model reliant on government contracts, philanthropy, and individual giving.
• Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec): NSW peak body supporting Aboriginal community-controlled child and family services, with similar cultural safety, lived-experience, and First Nations young parent considerations to Brave's Aunty in Residence and First Nations Lived Experience Coordinator functions.

Broad incumbents

• Save the Children Australia: Large international NFP operating in Australia with programs supporting children, youth, and families including parenting and child protection. Comparable as a peer in the same funding ecosystem and overlapping population focus, though significantly larger and broader in scope.
• Mission Australia: One of Australia's largest NFPs operating across homelessness, youth, family, and community services nationally. Provides overlapping capabilities to Brave's participant base (notably youth homelessness) but at much larger scale and broader portfolio, comparable as a peer in the same funding ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bravefoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebravefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brave-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebravefoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Brave Foundation