What Lighthouse Foundation does

Lighthouse Foundation is a Melbourne-based nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1991 that delivers therapeutic residential care, foster care, kinship support, and community-based services to young people aged 12-25 experiencing homelessness or trauma in Victoria, Australia. Its core offering is the proprietary Lighthouse Model of Care — an evidence-based framework combining trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, and relational care — delivered through a tiered system of therapeutic homes (Secure Base, Therapeutic, and Transitional), specialized programs for young parents and victims of modern slavery, and the On For Life long-term outreach program. The organization employs 88 staff supported by 470 volunteers, operates dedicated facilities including the Youth Resource Centre, Diana Gibson Village, Orly House, and Leonie's Place, and reports an 80% success rate in preventing return to homelessness.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than revenue-generating: programs are provided free to beneficiaries with funding sourced from 2,600 individual donors, corporate partnerships (ANZ, Jellis Craig, Hassell), philanthropic trusts (Jack Brockhoff, Campbell Edwards), government grants (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing; Homes Victoria), bequests, and annual fundraising events. The Lighthouse Institute provides training, consultancy, and research services to other child welfare organizations, representing a nascent revenue vertical. Lighthouse distributes its services through referrals from government child protection agencies, hospitals, schools, and community organizations, and reaches donors through digital channels, celebrity ambassadors, and high-value events including the Chairman's Event at Raheen Estate and the Evening of Art auction.

Name

Lighthouse Foundation

Legal name

Lighthouse Foundation

Website

https://lighthousefoundation.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lighthouse Foundation is a Melbourne-based nonprofit founded in 1991 that delivers trauma-informed therapeutic care, residential homes, foster and kinship care, and community outreach to young people aged 12-25 experiencing homelessness in Victoria, Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homelessness Services & Therapeutic Out-of-Home Care

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Therapeutic foster care
• Kinship care support
• Trauma-informed care
• Residential youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne (Cremorne/Richmond)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving programs (Lighthouse Keeper), community fundraising events, and annual appeals provide essential funding for programs and services.
2. Corporate and Business Partnerships: Mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses for funding, in-kind support, employee giving programs, and workplace fundraising initiatives.
3. Trusts and Foundations: Support from philanthropic trusts and foundations including Jack Brockhoff Foundation and other named foundation partners.
4. Government Grants: Funding from government departments including Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and Homes Victoria for specific programs and services.
5. Gifts in Wills: Bequests and legacy giving programs allowing supporters to make lasting donations to the cause.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lighthouse Foundation provides free, trauma-informed therapeutic residential care, foster care, kinship care, and long-term outreach support to young people aged 12-25 experiencing homelessness or at risk in Victoria, Australia. Programs are delivered through suburban family-style homes and hub facilities, with dedicated Therapeutic Case Managers, expressive art therapy, and the proprietary Lighthouse Model of Care. Specialised offerings address young parents and babies, young women escaping modern slavery and gender-based violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, and Jewish young people, complemented by the Lighthouse Institute's training, research, and advocacy work.

Product overview

Lighthouse Foundation operates as a youth homelessness organization offering a multi-tiered suite of therapeutic care programs delivered through homes, hubs, and community-based services. The core offering consists of Foster Care and Kinship Care programs supported by Lighthouse Homes at three care levels (Secure Base, Therapeutic, and Transitional). Specialized programs include the Young Parents and Babies Program and Young Women's Freedom Program for vulnerable populations. The Lighthouse Institute provides training, development, and research capabilities. Physical infrastructure includes Youth Resource Centres, Foster Care Hubs, and specialized facilities like Diana Gibson Village, Orly House, and Leonie's Place. The On For Life program extends support beyond residential care into the community for long-term intervention.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lighthouse Institute: A division focused on building, expanding and sharing Lighthouse's evidence-based model of care through consultancy, research, and training.

Products and services

• Foster Care Program A foster care program enabling individuals and families in Victoria to become therapeutic foster carers, providing homes for children and young people experiencing homelessness or trauma. Offers short-term, long-term, respite, emergency, and on-call foster care placements, supported by the dedicated Foster Care Hub and Therapeutic Case Managers.
• Kinship Care & Family Support Program A therapeutic, trauma-informed kinship support program helping children and families in Victoria build stability, connection, and healing through dedicated Therapeutic Case Managers, low caseloads, reflective practice, and community connection via Hub Homes. Supports kinship families caring for children with complex needs.
• Lighthouse Homes Therapeutic homes designed as typical family homes in ordinary suburban Melbourne streets, providing safe and welcoming environments for children and young people. Offered across three tiers: Secure Base (intensive 24/7 support), Therapeutic (building skills for independence), and Transitional (bridging care and independent living).
• Secure Base Program Intensive 24/7 support for children and young people with complex needs, providing the highest level of therapeutic care within Lighthouse Homes.
• Therapeutic Program Provides highly vulnerable young people aged 16-25 with a warm, safe Lighthouse home, 24/7 live-in care, and a dedicated Therapeutic Case Manager to help them heal from trauma and develop living skills. Includes the Therapeutic Tailored Care Youth Program for ages 15-18 transitioning from residential care.
• Transitional Program Supports young people up to age 25 experiencing homelessness to develop skills and capacity for independent living through Therapeutic Case Management, with 18-24 month residence periods bridging intensive therapeutic support and fully independent living.
• In Community (On For Life Program) Long-term outreach program extending therapeutic care within the community, providing care, guidance, and connection that continues well beyond a young person's time in residential care. Includes the Community Connect early intervention program supporting access to housing, education, and employment.
• Young Parents and Babies Program Provides therapeutic care in Lighthouse Homes for vulnerable young parents and their children, helping them heal from trauma, build healthy relationships, establish parenting routines, and transition into fully independent living while preventing intergenerational homelessness.
• Young Women's Freedom Program Provides safe homes and therapeutic care to young women aged 16-23 escaping, or at risk of, modern slavery practices including forced marriage and domestic servitude, as well as other forms of gender-based violence. Supports young women from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Lighthouse Institute Service unit building, expanding and sharing Lighthouse's evidence-based Model of Care through Training & Development (consultancy, research, and training) and Research & Advocacy (trauma-informed practice and youth homelessness research). Engages with other child welfare organisations, government agencies, and academic partners such as Monash University.
• Orly House A culturally responsive therapeutic home for Jewish young people aged 16-25 experiencing homelessness or at risk, developed in partnership with Pathways Melbourne. Provides kosher household environment, Jewish spiritual support, cultural connection opportunities, and access to Jewish mentors and community networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 in 10 young people who enter Lighthouse programs do not return to homelessness thanks to trauma-informed therapeutic model
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Pathways MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2026Partnership to open Orly House, a culturally responsive therapeutic home for Jewish young people experiencing homelessness. Pathways Melbourne brings expertise in supporting Jewish young people and families, ensuring cultural understanding alongside therapeutic best practice.
• Monash UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Three-year research partnership focused on improving outcomes for children and families in kinship care. Monash leads comprehensive research and evidence review examining how therapeutic support influences placement stability and wellbeing.
• TEN WomenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollective of women from Melbourne's property and construction sectors. Raised $650,000 through Speaker Series events to support renovation of Young Women's Freedom Program home.
• Rone (Tyrone Wright)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcclaimed Melbourne street artist and Lighthouse Ambassador who shares personal foster care family experience and supports awareness raising.
• ANZmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that hosted Diwali Celebration raising $181,000 for Lighthouse Foundation.
• HassellsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent host for TEN Women Speaker Series connecting property and construction sector women.
• GlenvillsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent host for TEN Women Speaker Series.
• Cushman & WakefieldsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent host for TEN Women Speaker Series.
• King & Wood MallesonssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent host for TEN Women Speaker Series.
• Ethos UrbansupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent host for TEN Women Speaker Series.
• Dwyer Fine ArtsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerArt dealer who donated auction services for Evening of Art fundraising event.
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous organization collaborating with Lighthouse on culturally safe practices and reconciliation initiatives.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Berry Street: Major Victorian child and family services organisation operating residential care, foster care, kinship care, and family support — direct functional overlap with Lighthouse's program suite.
• MacKillop Family Services: Catholic agency providing residential care, foster and kinship care, and therapeutic services for children and young people. Comparable in out-of-home care and trauma-informed model.
• Melbourne City Mission: Large Melbourne nonprofit operating Frontyard Youth Services and a range of homelessness, out-of-home care, and family support programs. Closely comparable in service breadth, target demographic, and Victorian geographic focus.
• Kids Under Cover: Australian charity focused on preventing youth homelessness through studio accommodation and family reunification support. Comparable in niche focus on young people at risk of homelessness.
• Youth Off The Streets: National Australian charity delivering accommodation, education, and counselling for disadvantaged young people including those experiencing homelessness. Comparable in mission and youth-focused residential/community programs.
• Launch Housing: Melbourne-based specialist youth homelessness charity providing crisis accommodation, transitional housing, and outreach. Most direct comparable to Lighthouse's residential therapeutic care for young people experiencing homelessness.

Broad incumbents

• Wesley Mission Victoria: Community services organisation delivering homelessness, mental health, and youth support across Victoria. Overlaps with Lighthouse on housing and youth services but serves a wider portfolio.
• Salvation Army Australia (Youth & Family Services): Major national welfare provider operating crisis accommodation, youth residential programs, and out-of-home care. Broad incumbent with overlapping residential offerings.
• Anglicare Victoria: Large faith-based welfare agency delivering a broad portfolio including out-of-home care and family services. Larger and broader than Lighthouse but operates similar programs.
• St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria: National charity addressing homelessness and disadvantage including youth homelessness support and accommodation services. Comparable funding model (donations) and youth housing overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LighthouseFdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/1991Lighthouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/LighthouseFdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lighthouse-foundation-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/lighthousefoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Lighthouse Foundation