Telstra Foundation
We want all young people to thrive in the digital world
For over two decades, we’ve been supporting children and young people to thrive in the digital world.
Our mission
Telstra Foundation is committed to helping 1 million children and young people to be more included, empowered and connected by 2030.
Our goals
We drive better outcomes for children and young people by supporting them across three key areas.
Included
Digital skills and careers
We want all children and young people to have the opportunity to be included in digital careers.
While digital technologies are rapidly advancing, many young people are missing out on the opportunities they bring. We encourage digital aspirations with a focus on coding, artificial intelligence and digital making.
Empowered
Kind, safe and fun online
Young people should have access to essential digital services whenever or wherever they need them. Our programs connect young people to online mental health and wellbeing support.
To help close the digital divide, we also support tech device lending and donation schemes linked to youth education or employment outcomes.
Connected
Access and connectivity
We want all young people to have access to essential digital services, when or where they’re needed.
In response to Australia’s digital divide and increasing youth mental ill-health, we support tech device donation schemes as well as effective, digital youth mental health services.
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Our approach
We amplify the voices of young people
By listening to the voices of children and young people, we can ensure their perspectives are included in our work. This includes our annual Index Survey to understand their digital experiences, our Youth Advisory Council to help shape our work and our commitment to champion co-design with children and young people in our partnerships.
Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council
A diverse group of young people from 12-20 years of age. They elevate youth voices in everything we do at Telstra Foundation.
Australian Youth Digital Index
This is our annual research study which identifies and monitors the key drivers, issues and opportunities in young people’s relationship with digital technology in Australia.
We collaborate for impact and learning
We collaborate with experts to tackle issues that have emerged from tech itself, such as digital exclusion, how to manage time spent online and cyber bullying. We’re also scaling digital tech in a unique way - to help young people manage their own mental health and wellbeing.
As part of our measurement approach, we reflect and iterate with our partners, via a Community of Practice that shares learnings and supports continuous improvement.
Our strategic partners
Our partners have strong track records of social impact and are helping us to empower, connect and include children and young people. Explore our youth and tech partner projects.
Code Club Australia
Our Code Club Australia team supports teachers across Australia to get kids coding with free, fun and student-tested resources.
Our why
Young Australians are the first generation to 'grow up digital' and their online interactions and digital relationships play an increasingly important role in shaping their sense of belonging, self-esteem and identity. This is true whether they're at school, at home, at work or on the go.
While technology offers countless benefits to young people, from access to education to freedom of self-expression, it can also pose challenges that leave some young people behind.
We partner with expert non-profits and social enterprises that share our goals and want to drive impact. We convene forums to share research and insights and most importantly, we include young people and amplify their voices to help shape the work we do. We also encourage diversity, inclusion and equality by prioritising under-served groups of young people to ensure everyone thrives.
Donate your unused Telstra Plus points to help tackle online bullying
Donate your Telstra Plus points to our partner PROJECT ROCKIT, Australia’s youth-driven movement against cyberbullying, hate and prejudice.
Telstra Foundation matches total donations each financial year, up to the value of $100,000.
Our team
About Telstra Foundation
We are Telstra’s philanthropic arm and youth and tech unit. We’re a registered Australian charity and for over two decades, we’ve supported children and young people to thrive online.
Our management team
We are social innovation professionals committed to genuine social change, and we work closely with the Telstra Foundation Board. We are committed to delivering digital outcomes for children and young people.
Jackie Coates (she/her)
CEO Telstra Foundation
Natalie Falzon (she/her)
Social Impact & Innovation Manager
Kaye North (she/her)
Community & Engagement Manager, Code Club Australia
Alexandra Whitwam (she/her)
Campaigns & Digital Storytelling Manager
Telstra Foundation Ltd is an independent legal entity, separate from Telstra Corporation Ltd. The majority of our directors – including the Chair – are independent of Telstra. The Board has established criteria and procedures for allocating grants which it may review and vary from time to time, including any criteria or procedures referred to on this site.
Other funding platforms
Because the demand for grants always exceeds supply, we’ve also invested in some great social sector tools to help people looking for assistance: a no-fee crowdfunding platform for social impact causes with Chuffed and free, online digital and innovation video lessons for social impact specialists from the team at Fitzroy Academy. Other great resources are also available at Philanthropy Australia and Probono Australia.