Digital Literacy Foundation

What Digital Literacy Foundation does

Digital Literacy Foundation is a Sydney-headquartered, fully remote Australian not-for-profit organisation that delivers one-on-one digital literacy mentoring to older adults and other digitally excluded community members. Established in 1995 (originally as Leep NGO, rebranded in 2022), the organisation operates primarily across Western Sydney, the Nepean ACPR, Hawkesbury, and Western NSW, serving adults aged 65 and over (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples). Its core service is personalised, learner-paced digital mentoring delivered by trained volunteer Tech Mates across multiple channels including libraries (Penrith, Hawkesbury Windsor and Richmond), Village Cafe locations, community hubs, in-home visits, and remote/online sessions. Programs include standalone Digital Mentoring, the Click & Connect device-plus-mentoring bundle (with Penrith City Council), and Making it Click (with Okta for Good Fund and Tides Foundation), the latter two providing free iPads with accessibility features and 12 months of internet data.

The underlying technology is intentionally low-tech: standard consumer smartphones, tablets, and laptops, with iPads pre-loaded with accessibility features for learners, and Salesforce as the CRM backbone. There are no proprietary software platforms, AI/ML systems, or mobile applications — the differentiation is human capital (trained, matched volunteers) and institutional partnerships rather than technology. Service delivery is community-led, with referrals flowing from aged care, health, and community service organisations, plus direct learner and partner registrations.

The business model is grant and government-funded rather than commercial. The primary revenue stream is the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care's Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), supplemented by program-specific grants from the Okta for Good Fund and Tides Foundation. Services are free to learners, with the CHSP suggesting voluntary contributions of A$4-8 per hour that the organisation does not enforce given its disadvantaged-client mission. The organisation employs approximately 10 staff across executive, brand/comms, training/wellbeing, and volunteer coordination functions, with service delivery dependent on a much larger volunteer workforce.

Name

Digital Literacy Foundation

Legal name

Digital Literacy Foundation

Website

https://digitalliteracy.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Digital Literacy Foundation is a Sydney-based Australian not-for-profit that delivers free, one-on-one digital mentoring to older adults across Western Sydney and Western NSW through trained volunteer Tech Mates, funded primarily by the federal Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Literacy Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE), Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC), Internet, Email & Online Communication (EDAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Digital literacy training
• Digital mentoring services
• Older adult education
• Digital inclusion programs
• Volunteer tutoring services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

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. Government Funding - Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): Digital Literacy Foundation's digital mentoring services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). This is the primary funding source supporting operations.
2. Voluntary Client Contributions: Services are free for clients. While CHSP estimates a reasonable client contribution of $4-8 per hour, the Digital Literacy Foundation supports a voluntary system based on their mission and target demographic of financially disadvantaged clients. Revenue from contributions supports ongoing service delivery and volunteer acknowledgement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Digital Literacy Foundation provides free, one-on-one digital literacy mentoring delivered by trained volunteer "Tech Mates" to older adults (aged 65+, or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) and other community members experiencing digital disadvantage. Services cover device usage (smartphones, tablets, laptops), email, video calls, online banking, online shopping, entertainment, and scam/safety awareness, and are delivered face-to-face at libraries, community hubs, Village Cafes, and in learners' homes, as well as remotely online. Two device-plus-training programs (Click & Connect in Penrith LGA and Making it Click in Western Sydney/Western NSW) provide free iPads with accessibility features, internet access, and ongoing mentoring.

Product overview

The Digital Literacy Foundation offers a portfolio of digital literacy and inclusion services centered on one-on-one digital mentoring for older adults. The core offering is Digital Mentoring, delivered by trained volunteer Tech Mates who provide personalized support. This is supplemented by two major device-plus-training programs: Click & Connect (Penrith LGA) and Making it Click (Western Sydney and Western NSW), both providing free iPads, internet access, and mentoring. Services are delivered through multiple channels including community hubs, libraries, Village Cafe locations, and home visits. For eligible seniors, My Aged Care-funded Home Care Packages enable government-subsidized access to digital mentoring sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Mentoring One-on-one digital literacy training sessions delivered by volunteer Tech Mates to help older adults (65+, or 50+ for First Nations) develop basic technology skills including device usage, email, video calls, online banking, and online safety.
• Tech Mate Program A volunteer-based digital mentoring initiative where trained volunteers (Tech Mates) provide one-on-one support to help people learn about technology and use it confidently and safely.
• Click & Connect A program providing free iPads pre-loaded with accessibility features, 12 months of free internet access, protective cases, and digital mentoring by volunteer Tech Mates to residents aged 65+ (or 50+ for First Nations) in the Penrith LGA.
• Making it Click A program serving seniors aged 65+ (or 50+ for First Nations) in Western Sydney and Western NSW, providing free iPads with accessibility features, 12 months of free internet access, protective cases, digital mentoring by Tech Mates, and ongoing device maintenance and support.
• Social Support Services Individualized social support delivered one-on-one either in person or online, focusing on digital education and support for older adults to build digital skills and social connection.
• My Aged Care Services Home Care Package-funded digital mentoring services for eligible Australians aged over 65 (or over 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples), provided through My Aged Care registration with one-on-one face-to-face sessions throughout the Nepean ACPR.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research shows 72% of Australians over 50 prefer one-on-one mentoring for improving digital literacy skills
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Australian Government Department of Health and Aged CarecoreOthersPrimary funder through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Funds digital mentoring services for older Australians.
• Penrith City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Click & Connect program delivering digital mentoring at Village Cafe locations in Penrith LGA.
• Penrith City LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Tech Tuesday sessions and 'Fun with iPads' classes at Penrith Library.
• Hawkesbury CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free one-on-one tech lessons at Hawkesbury Library Service (Windsor and Richmond) and Community Hubs (Colo Heights, Wilberforce, St Albans).
• OptuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing free internet data for iPad devices distributed to learners.
• Western Sydney University - The Age LabsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on digital inclusion and ageing.
• Western Sydney University - MARCSsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on digital literacy.
• Western Sydney University - ICSsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Western Sydney University.
• QUT Digital Inclusion and Participation ResearchsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on digital inclusion.
• QUT Digital Media Research CentresecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on digital media and literacy.
• UQ Centre on HumanistcssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on digital inclusion.
• My Aged CarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegistered service provider for Home Care Packages, enabling government-funded digital mentoring services.
• Penrith Women's Health CentresecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Wonderful Wise Women program providing digital mentoring for older women from diverse cultures.
• Nanna's Touch Community ConnectionssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing digital mentoring in Lithgow for their whole-of-community support network.
• Be ConnectedsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with eSafety Commissioner's Be Connected program for digital inclusion resources.
• AnglicaresecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for aged care and community services.
• WellwayssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community support services.
• Volunteering AustraliasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for volunteer recruitment and management.
• Volunteering.com.ausecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer recruitment platform.
• The Think and Do Tank FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partnership for digital inclusion initiatives.
• Good Things Foundation AustraliasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in national research project on digital inclusion in low-income households.
• The Smith FamilysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in national research on digital inclusion for low-income families.
• SalesforcesecondaryTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for CRM and service delivery.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Good Things Foundation: Australia/UK-based non-profit operating the national digital inclusion network; DLF is explicitly a partner of Good Things Foundation Australia in national low-income digital inclusion research, making them a mission-aligned direct peer.
• Infoxchange: Australian not-for-profit focused on digital inclusion and technology for community-sector organisations; comparable in mission, sector, and non-profit delivery model targeting disadvantaged Australians.
• Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA): National peak body for seniors' computer clubs delivering peer-led digital literacy training across Australia; closest direct peer in model (peer-led mentoring) and target demographic (older adults).

Broad incumbents

• Be Connected (eSafety Commissioner): Australian Government-funded national digital literacy program for older Australians; DLF partners with Be Connected for resources and curriculum, making it a broad public-sector incumbent in the same end market.
• Telstra Tech Savvy Seniors: Telstra's national program providing free technology training to older Australians; same end-customer and curriculum focus, delivered at much greater scale via a telco incumbent.
• The Smith Family: Large Australian children's and families charity; DLF is a co-partner with The Smith Family on national digital inclusion research, positioning it as an adjacent incumbent in the digital-equity space.
• State Library of NSW: Operates public library digital-skills programming across NSW; DLF delivers Tech Tuesdays at Penrith Library through this ecosystem, making the state library a public-sector incumbent and venue-partner.

Emerging players

• Senior Planet (AARP / Older Adults Technology Services): US-based non-profit providing digital skills training and social engagement for older adults; highly comparable in mission and methodology but operating in a different geography, so classified as an emerging/thematic peer.
• Cyber-Seniors: Non-profit providing intergenerational digital mentoring to older adults, including free tech help; comparable mentoring model and demographic, with a broader North American footprint.

Regional players

• Linkage (City of Sydney): Inner-Sydney community services provider running digital literacy and social-support programs for disadvantaged adults; comparable service portfolio but primarily operating in a different Sydney region (eastern/inner city) than DLF's Western Sydney focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM2CvoEH5ODR4fk5vbXoYPg
• Facebookfacebook.com/digitalliteracyfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/10676197/admin
• Instagraminstagram.com/digitalliteracyfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Digital Literacy Foundation