The Sunlight Centre NFP

What The Sunlight Centre NFP does

The Sunlight Centre NFP is an Australian registered charity founded in 2017 by Ken Loftus, headquartered in Morningside, Brisbane, and operating with DGR and PBI status. It delivers free, face-to-face crisis counselling — up to 15 sessions per person — for individuals experiencing suicidal distress or self-harm, with no Medicare, referral or mental health plan required, differentiating it from mainstream public mental-health pathways. Its service model is built on two proprietary clinical frameworks, the Sunlight Centre Insight Therapy Model and the S.U.N. Action Plan, which are also delivered externally as mental-health training to workplaces, schools and community groups.

The organisation is funded through a mix of individual donations, corporate partnerships and fee-for-service training revenue, with a disclosed cost base of approximately A$115 per counselling session and A$1,750 per full client journey. Auto & General is a flagship corporate partner, with Police Bank, SKYBOUND Wealth and Knill Financial Group among additional supporting partners. Governance is led by a board chaired by Sam Scarpato alongside founder/CEO Ken Loftus and directors Gerry O'Shaughnessy, Greer Sullivan, Grace Hurman and Michelle Johnson.

Operationally, the Sunlight Centre remains a single-site service concentrated in Queensland, although the early-2026 opening of a dedicated Support & Training Room signals investment in capacity for both clinical delivery and the paid training stream. There is no disclosed revenue, headcount, or client-volume figure in the available data, and no evidence of digital, AI or technology-platform capabilities — the offering is fundamentally people- and premises-intensive.

Name

The Sunlight Centre NFP

Legal name

THE SUNLIGHT CENTRE NFP LTD

Website

https://sunlightcentre.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sunlight Centre NFP is a Brisbane-based Australian charity that provides free, in-person crisis counselling for suicidal distress and self-harm, and delivers mental-health training to workplaces, schools and community groups under its proprietary Insight Therapy Model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services and Training

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (62133), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA), Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO)

Keywords

• Crisis counselling services
• Mental health training
• Suicide prevention programs
• Psychosocial safety training
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Cannon Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Mental Health Training & Programs: The Sunlight Centre delivers fee-for-service mental health training workshops to workplaces, schools, and community organisations. Revenue from training directly cross-funds the organisation's core free counselling services.
2. Donations & Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organisations, monthly giving programs (Friends of the Sunlight Centre), and corporate donations. The organisation holds deductible gift recipient (DGR) and public benevolent institution (PBI) status. EOFY campaigns target $1,750 per client therapy journey.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Major charity partnerships with corporate entities such as Auto & General provide funding support that helps sustain free counselling access and mental health education delivery across Queensland.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Sunlight Centre is a mental health charity delivering free face-to-face crisis counselling (up to 15 sessions per client) for teens and adults experiencing suicidal thoughts and self-harm, with no referral, mental health plan, Medicare, or insurance required. In parallel, it sells evidence-informed mental health training workshops and prevention programs to workplaces, schools, and community organisations, with training revenue cross-funding the free counselling services. All offerings are grounded in the proprietary Sunlight Centre Insight Therapy Model developed by founder Ken Loftus and used since 2017.

Product overview

The Sunlight Centre is a mental health charity providing a service-based portfolio centred on free face-to-face crisis counselling for individuals experiencing suicidal distress and self-harm, complemented by an evidence-informed training and education arm. The core service offering is free crisis counselling (up to 15 sessions, no referral required), which cross-funds the training programs. The training division includes the Sunlight Insight Workshop (flagship 3-hour psychoeducation program), sector-specific Workplace Mental Health Training, Schools & Youth Training, Professional Development for practitioners, and Community Mental Health Workshops. A newly opened Support & Training Room (2026) serves as the venue for seminars, group supervision, and community groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sunlight Insight Workshop: A practical mental health workshop that delivers psychoeducation on common mental health challenges using the Sunlight Centre Insight Therapy Model.
• S.U.N. Action Plan
• Corporate & Workplace Training
• Schools & Youth Training

Products and services

• Crisis Counselling Services Free face-to-face crisis counselling for individuals under 18 and adults experiencing suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviour. Provides up to 15 sessions per client with no referral, mental health plan, or Medicare required; sessions are 50 minutes and accessed via phone intake at 1300 259 724.
• Sunlight Insight Workshop A flagship 3-hour psychoeducation workshop delivering practical mental health education on common mental health challenges using the Sunlight Centre Insight Therapy Model, including the S.U.N. Action Plan for supporting people in distress.
• Workplace Mental Health Training Sector-specific mental health training for workplaces, including modules on Active Listening & Communication, Psychosocial Safety & WHS, Conflict to Connection, Trauma-Informed Practice, Leadership Development, and Consultation & Critical Incident Support.
• Schools & Youth Training Mental health workshops and training programs for schools, youth settings, and students. Includes Here to Hear active listening skills, Leadership Development for youth, and the TALKs Program for peer-to-peer support.
• Professional Development Training Advanced workshops and masterclasses for mental health practitioners including Introduction to Counselling, CBT Masterclass, Anxiety Disorders Masterclass, Mindfulness Masterclass, and Clinical Supervision & Reflective Practice.
• Community Mental Health Workshops Accessible mental health workshops for community groups, parents, and organisations, including Sunlight Insight Workshop, Conflict to Connection & Family Conflict Resolution, Teens & Tech, Understanding Mental Health, and Supporting Others in Distress.
• Support & Training Room (facility hire) A dedicated training and support facility opened in early 2026 at the Morningside Centre, supported by a grant from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust. Used for mental health seminars, group supervision, and community groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Each counselling session costs ~$115 to provide; ~$1,750 per client to complete therapy journey
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles10 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Auto & GeneralmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Auto & General is one of Australia's leading insurance providers and a major charity partner of the Sunlight Centre. Their support helped Sunlight secure its own Centre on Thynne Road in Morningside after initially operating from the CarPort Cafe. Their funding helps strengthen access to free counselling, mental health education, and community-based support across Queensland.
• Mental Awareness FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mental Awareness Foundation works to raise awareness of depression, mental health issues, and suicide prevention while supporting frontline mental health organisations. Through fundraising, events, and grant support, the Foundation helps the Sunlight Centre continue delivering practical support to people and communities impacted by mental health distress.
• Downtown ToyotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Toyota is a long-standing Brisbane automotive dealership operating from key South-East Queensland locations, including Morningside. Through its support, Downtown Toyota helps strengthen local community connection and contributes to Sunlight's work providing free counselling, mental health education, and practical support across the community.
• ROBAR Civil GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROBAR Civil Group is a Queensland-headquartered construction group providing civil construction, skilled personnel, equipment, energy infrastructure support, and specialist project services across Australia. Through its support of the Sunlight Centre, ROBAR helps strengthen local mental health services, free counselling access, and practical community education.
• Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust - BrisbanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust has supported Brisbane charities for more than 70 years, helping improve wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalised community members. Through its grant support, the Trust helped Sunlight Centre open its new Support and Training Room in early 2026, enabling mental health seminars, group supervision, and community groups to be hosted at the Centre.
• Transurban Community GrantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransurban supports local communities through its Community Grants Program, providing grants of up to $10,000 for projects bringing social and environmental benefits to communities in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. Through this support, Transurban has helped the Sunlight Centre deliver community-based mental health education and practical support.
• Bunnings Cannon HillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBunnings supports local community groups through its well-known sausage sizzle fundraising program, with 100% of funds raised going directly to the participating community group. Through these fundraising opportunities, Bunnings helps the Sunlight Centre raise vital funds to support free counselling, community education, and practical mental health support.
• Di Farmer MPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDi Farmer MP, Member for Bulimba, has been a strong local supporter of community wellbeing and local organisations across the Morningside and Bulimba area. Through her support since before Sunlight Centre even opened, she has helped champion local mental health services and practical support for people and families.
• The CarPort Cafe & BikashcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn Sunlight's early days, Bikash at The Carport Café in Cannon Hill generously provided a private space within the café so Sunlight could begin seeing its first clients. This early support helped create the foundation for what Sunlight has grown into today: a community-based charity providing free counselling, mental health education, and practical support.
• Easts Leagues Community GrantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEasts Leagues Club has a strong local presence in Brisbane with a proud connection to community sport, events, and local engagement. Through its Community Grants support, Easts Leagues helps the Sunlight Centre deliver practical programs that strengthen mental health, connection, and wellbeing across the local community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Suicide Prevention Australia: Australia's national peak body for suicide prevention, representing member organisations and advocating for systemic reform. Comparable as a sector peer given Sunlight's founding mission to address the gap in suicide and self-harm support, though Suicide Prevention Australia operates as an advocacy body rather than a direct service provider.
• Mental Health First Aid Australia: Australia's leading provider of mental health first aid training courses to workplaces, communities, and youth settings. Directly competes with Sunlight's Workplace Mental Health Training and Schools & Youth Training offerings, with a national training network and well-established curriculum.
• SANE Australia: National mental health charity providing information, referral, and support services for people affected by complex mental health issues, including a helpline and online forums. Comparable as a service-and-information mental health NFP serving similar populations across Australia.
• Mind Australia: One of Australia's largest community-managed mental health service providers, delivering psychosocial support, recovery-focused services, and clinical care across multiple states. Directly comparable to Sunlight's free crisis counselling service model but at substantially larger national scale.
• headspace: Federally funded youth mental health NFP providing free or low-cost mental health services to young people aged 12-25, including counselling and education programs. Directly overlaps with Sunlight's teen counselling and Schools & Youth Training segments, though headspace operates on a national multi-site model.
• Kids Helpline: Free, confidential 24/7 counselling service for young people aged 5-25 in Australia, operated by yourtown. Closely comparable barrier-free model (no referral or payment required) serving the same teen/youth crisis segment that Sunlight's Schools & Youth Training and teen counselling target.
• Lifeline Australia: Australia's largest crisis support and suicide prevention charity, operating a 24/7 phone line (13 11 14) and providing crisis support services similar to The Sunlight Centre's barrier-free crisis counselling model. Both serve individuals in mental health distress and self-harm situations across Australia, though Lifeline is phone-based and nationally scaled.

Broad incumbents

• Beyond Blue: Australia's most recognised mental health NFP, offering 24/7 support lines, online forums, clinical information, and workplace mental health programs. A much larger, nationally branded incumbent competing for the same corporate partnerships, donations, and workplace training contracts as Sunlight, but with substantially broader scope.
• Black Dog Institute: Australia's leading clinical mental health research institute, also delivering workplace mental health training programs and clinical services. Competes with Sunlight on the workplace training side while operating at much larger national scale and with a research-and-clinical mandate.

Emerging players

• R U OK?: National suicide prevention charity focused on building conversation culture around mental health through workplace, school, and community programs. Comparable on the training/prevention side of Sunlight's work, with a strong focus on peer-to-peer support and schools that aligns with Sunlight's S.U.N. Action Plan and TALKs program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/sunlightcentre
• Facebookfacebook.com/sunlightcentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sunlight-centre-nfp-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/sunlightcentre

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 The Sunlight Centre NFP