Recent times have shown us the benefits of working together for the common good. Two Australian charities have done just that and are combining their resources and efforts to help stem the tide of Sydney’s homeless population suffering from exposure to the cold.

Cure Brain Cancer Foundation (CBCF) has joined forces with the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) to lessen the impact of Sydney’s winter for some of the city’s more vulnerable people, with the CBCF providing over 1,800 articles of clothes to Vinnies to be shared among Sydney’s homeless community in the city’s inner east.

An ongoing issue

Those without a home experience the worst of winter’s nights while living on the streets. Simple but effective gestures like these mean they’re taking the first steps towards better enduring the harshness of the cold.

The past year has seen the number of people experiencing homelessness in Australia spike as COVID-19 income protection measures were scaled back, with only a small fraction of the total homeless population being able to secure permanent housing.

Collaboration is key

At Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, we lead the cause for brain cancer research, advocacy and community engagement in Australia, with a mission to increase brain cancer survival and quality of life and ultimately find a cure for brain cancer.

Connections like the one made between Vinnies and CBCF establish a positive, collaborative environment to help people in need. As Cure Brain Cancer’s CEO, I feel the collaboration signifies a great opportunity for innovative thought leadership and helping each other support the communities we serve.

These are sentiments that Vinnies CEO, Jack de Groot shares. “This sort of collaboration within the NFP sector is to be celebrated and encouraged, Vinnies’ main purpose is to alleviate poverty and help people experiencing homelessness and donations like this help us do just that”, Jack said. I couldn’t agree more.

Other charities can follow our example

Vinnies and CBCF have different missions and visions, but support each other’s goals and can turn good intentions into actions through collaborations like our recent one. I would encourage other key organisations in the NFP sector to follow suit. Finding creative solutions that align with our values and support fellow charities – who in turn advocate our vision to cure brain cancer – is the right thing to do for the community we serve.

COVID-19’s ongoing impacts in Australia (and around the world) have compelled NFPs to look beyond their usual circles and seek out collaboration with others to have the greatest impact when and where it is needed most. The need to understand and articulate the efficiency and power of collaboration is vital, especially in a situation as challenging as this current one.

Lance Kawaguchi is the CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation. Lance spent over 25 years in the banking and investment sector and has received numerous awards.