HeartKids

What HeartKids does

HeartKids Limited is an Australian nonprofit charitable organization (company limited by guarantee) and the only national charity dedicated to supporting people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Kent Town, South Australia, the organization serves an estimated 250,000 Australians living with CoHD and approximately one million people directly or indirectly affected, including families and carers. Its core services include a national helpline, early childhood programs, mental health support, teen transition programs, peer support camps, and bereavement support, delivered through Family Support Coordinators embedded with all major Australian children's hospitals under renewed MOUs.

The organization operates a digital ecosystem comprising a resource library, the HeartKids Podcast, the CoHD Real Talk video series, the UpBeat teen transition smartphone application (which stores all information locally on-device for privacy), and the CoHD Directory connecting healthcare professionals with referral pathways. HeartKids runs recurring national campaigns including Sweethearts for HeartKids, Hero for HeartKids, Race to Remember, and the Two Feet & A Heartbeat memorial walk held across 30+ locations. It also sells branded merchandise via its online shop, with all proceeds directed back into programs.

HeartKids is funded through a mix of individual donations, regular giving, workplace giving, bequests, merchandise sales, corporate partnerships (Drakes Supermarkets, Supercheap Auto, Netball NSW), philanthropic foundation grants (Stan Perron Charitable Foundation), and government funding tied to the National Plan for Childhood Heart Disease. The current CEO, Sami Glastonbury, and Chair, Rohan Geddes, both bring lived CoHD experience, the first such leadership pairing in the organization's history. The charity is governed by a Board of Directors, has no parent company or external investors, and is currently navigating a period of funding pressure that has required operational restructuring despite an expanding partnership footprint.

Name

HeartKids

Legal name

HeartKids Limited

Website

https://heartkids.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HeartKids Limited is Australia's only national charity dedicated to lifelong support for people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease, serving roughly 250,000 Australians through helpline services, teen transition programs, mental health support, hospital-based coordinators, and digital resources funded by donations, corporate partnerships, and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Health Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiac Rehabilitation & Secondary Prevention (HLAKABAJ), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO)

Keywords

• Childhood heart disease support
• Congenital heart disease charity
• Family support services
• RHD prevention programs
• Charitable fundraising campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Parramatta

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Giving: HeartKids relies on individual donations, regular giving programs, workplace giving, and bequests. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns including Sweethearts for HeartKids, Hero for HeartKids, and community fundraising initiatives.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, jewelry, and books. All proceeds support HeartKids programs and families.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporate sponsors including Drakes Supermarkets, Supercheap Auto, Netball NSW, and others who provide financial support, in-store donations, and workplace fundraising.
4. Government Funding: Receives government funding for specific programs including RHD prevention initiatives and support services, alongside philanthropic foundation grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

HeartKids is an Australian nonprofit charitable organization that provides lifelong emotional, practical, and informational support to children, teenagers, adults, and families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). Core offerings include the HeartKids Helpline, family support coordination, early childhood programs, mental health support, teen transition resources via the UpBeat app, healthcare professional referrals through the CoHD Directory, and a national community of peer support, fundraising campaigns, and advocacy. Supplementary offerings include branded merchandise sales and educational resources like podcasts and video series.

Product overview

HeartKids is an Australian charity providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy for people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). The organization operates as a charity with multiple support programs and merchandise offerings rather than a traditional technology product. Core support services include the HeartKids Helpline, Early Childhood Programs, Mental Health Support Service, and the CoHD Real Talk video series. The organization offers the UpBeat teen transition smartphone app for young people managing CoHD, along with educational resources including podcasts, videos, and a Resource Library. HeartKids also sells official merchandise including apparel, accessories, and books through its online shop. Major campaigns include Sweethearts for HeartKids, Hero for HeartKids, Two Feet & A Heartbeat Walk, and Race to Remember.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UpBeat: Teen transition smartphone application developed by HeartKids to support young people moving from pediatric to adult cardiac care.
• Strong Hearts Strong Mob
• Sweethearts for HeartKids
• Hero for HeartKids
• Two Feet & A Heartbeat
• Race to Remember

Products and services

• HeartKids Support Services Lifelong emotional and practical support for families and individuals impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), delivered by family support coordinators and lived-experience staff across Australia.
• HeartKids Helpline (1800 432 785) Phone-based support service (1800 432 785) offering guidance and connection for families and individuals navigating a CoHD diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.
• Early Childhood Programs Programs designed for families with young children impacted by CoHD, focusing on early intervention and developmental support during the critical early years.
• Mental Health Support Service Dedicated mental health and emotional support service for individuals, siblings, parents, and families affected by childhood-onset heart disease.
• UpBeat Teen Transition App Smartphone application for teenagers and young adults with CoHD that supports transition from paediatric to adult cardiac care, with information stored locally on the user's device for privacy.
• CoHD Directory Online directory that connects healthcare professionals and families with CoHD-related services, specialists, and referral pathways across Australia.
• Resource Library Digital hub providing factsheets, videos, podcast episodes, and animations designed to help families and professionals understand CoHD and its impacts.
• CoHD Real Talk Video Series Video series featuring candid conversations with adults, young people, parents, and siblings sharing their lived experience with CoHD, covering identity, diagnosis, body image, mental health, surgery preparation, and bereavement.
• HeartKids Podcast Fortnightly podcast featuring cardiologists, clinical experts, and community members sharing stories and clinical insight about CoHD.
• HeartKids Shop Merchandise Official HeartKids merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, caps, bucket hats, socks), accessories (bracelets, earrings, pendants, charms, wristbands, pens), and books sold online with all proceeds supporting HeartKids programs.
• The Heart Hero Book Book by Heart Mum Hollie Tran following the journey of Noah, a young boy with a heart surgery scar, as he navigates self-acceptance and compassion.
• Echo Book Book by Lisa Van Der Wielen and illustrated by Anne Farrell, combining the bond between a boy and his dog with the message to wear scars with pride.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250,000 Australians supported with CoHD services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Heartbeat of Football FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2025HeartKids and Heartbeat of Football partnership supports Australians with heart disease, particularly teens, adults, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Collaboration includes expanding heart health awareness, delivering heart health checks, CPR/defibrillator training, free screening programs, and joint education campaigns. Andy Paschalidis serves as Founder and CEO.
• Siblings AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2025HeartKids and Siblings Australia entered into a partnership via signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve support for siblings of children impacted by CoHD, with particular focus on those experiencing grief following sibling loss. Partnership includes mutual promotion, referral processes, and joint collaboration on research, forums, and campaigns.
• Heart Support AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2025Strategic partnership to strengthen patient and carer support across all ages for those impacted by cardiovascular disease. Both organizations join to provide comprehensive support services.
• Netball NSWcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 January 2025HeartKids Cup established as official pre-season competition for Netball NSW Premier League. All 10 franchises compete for the cup at Netball Central, with Celebrity Charity Match featuring netball stars. Partnership has raised thousands since 2012 and expanded nationally in 2025.
• Heart FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2025Landmark partnership between two leading Australian heart charities to accelerate work towards improving outcomes for those impacted by CoHD. Joint efforts in advocacy, support, innovation, community awareness campaigns, research programs, and reducing RHD in First Nations communities.
• Deadly Heart TrekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeartKids is a proud sponsor of the Deadly Heart Trek, founded by cardiologists Dr Bo Remenyi and Dr Gavin Wheaton. The initiative travels to remote communities to screen, diagnose, and treat RHD before it progresses. HeartKids supports families affected by RHD during hospital stays and in the community.
• Children's GroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Gemma's Bicillin Day animation to help young people prepare for RHD treatment. Children's Ground facilitated creation of music supporting heart health education in Northern Territory communities.
• Children's Hospitals (National)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeartKids has renewed Memorandums of Understanding with all major children's hospitals around Australia, including partnerships with paediatric cardiology clinics for coordinated family support.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Children's Heart Federation: UK federation of congenital heart disease charities providing information, research funding, and family support. Direct thematic peer to HeartKids — same disease (CoHD/CHD), same family-support mission — but operating in the UK rather than Australia.
• Cure Kids: New Zealand's leading child health research and support charity, funding research into conditions affecting children including cardiac and rheumatic heart disease. Same disease-focused pediatric charity model as HeartKids but operating across the Tasman rather than within Australia.

Direct peers

• Make-A-Wish Australia: Australian branch of the global wish-granting charity for children with critical illnesses, including heart conditions. Operates the same large-scale donation, corporate partnership, and volunteer-driven fundraising model as HeartKids.
• Heart Support Australia: Australian nonprofit providing patient and carer support across all ages for cardiovascular disease. Recent HeartKids partner; operates a near-identical support-services model (peer connection, advocacy, community programs) but for adult cardiac patients rather than CoHD.
• Redkite: Australia's leading childhood cancer support charity, providing financial, emotional, and educational support to families of children with cancer. Closely comparable operating model to HeartKids: disease-specific pediatric charity delivering family support services, hospital partnerships, and community fundraising in Australia.
• Starlight Children's Foundation Australia: Australian charity brightening the lives of seriously ill children via hospital visits, wish granting, and Starlight Express Rooms in pediatric hospitals. Highly comparable fundraising, hospital-MOU, and family-support operating model to HeartKids, but focused on pediatric oncology and other serious illnesses rather than CoHD.
• Siblings Australia: Australian nonprofit supporting siblings of children with disability, chronic illness, or bereavement, including children impacted by CoHD. Recent HeartKids partner via MoU; operates a comparable counseling and peer-support model but focused specifically on the sibling cohort.
• Variety – the Children's Charity (Australia): Australian children's charity providing grants, equipment, and experiences for children who are sick, disadvantaged, or have special needs. Closely matches HeartKids' fundraising model (corporate partnerships, workplace giving, community events) while serving a broader pediatric population.

Broad incumbents

• Heart Foundation (Australia): Australia's largest heart-health charity, covering all cardiovascular disease in adults and children. Operates in the same disease category as HeartKids (heart disease) but with a much broader scope, larger donor base, and research-funding mandate; HeartKids now partners with them, indicating overlapping mission.

Others

• Children's Ground: Australian nonprofit working with First Nations children and families across remote communities on health, education, and cultural wellbeing. HeartKids partner for RHD education materials (e.g., Gemma's Bicillin Day animation) but its core operating model and mission differ from HeartKids'.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/heartkidsaust
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HeartKidsAustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/HeartKidsAustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heartkids-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/heartkids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 HeartKids