Starlight program reach

In 2022 Starlight continued to bring fun, laughter, and joy to seriously ill children and young people in hospitals and in communities right around Australia creating 1,307,265 positive Starlight experiences for sick and hospitalised kids, young people, and their families. This is an increase of 14% versus a year ago and is more than double what was achieved pre Covid in 2019. These programs are created to transform the hospital experience, provide social connection and entertain creating much needed moments of positive disruption.

As an essential service, Starlight worked closely with health professionals to reach sick kids when and where they needed happiness most. From supporting socially isolated young people through Livewire Online, having Captain Starlight transform the hospital experience in every children’s hospital to playing an important role in immunisation/vaccination clinics.

As clinicians recognise the value of resilience in wellbeing and in improved health outcomes the demand for Starlight continues to grow.

To meet the growing need, we require continued increases in our fundraising.

Our total programs reach

Our reach in 2022

Amplifying our impact

In 2022 we launched Planet Starlight, an online space for seriously ill children who need fun, laughter, and joy to connect with Captain Starlight…anytime…anywhere. It is important to have this virtual Starlight community which complements the work we do in hospitals providing social connection for children who are isolated by treatment from friends, family and all that is familiar. In 2023 we are aiming to launch Planet Starlight into hospitals and communities across Australia, so every sick child can access this positive distraction. We are committed to understanding and improving the impact of our Starlight programs and to achieve this we invest in research to ensure what we do continues to be effective and efficient.

Our Social Return on Investment (SROI) is calculated as delivering over $5 of community value for every dollar we spend in hospital and online.

2022 Income & expenses

In 2022 Starlight earned fundraising income of $41.7million. This represents a year-on-year increase of 13%.

Our continued investment in Sustainable Donor Acquisition saw income from Shining Stars grow almost 15%, and growth has also been strong across other fundraising channels, such as Events (up 44%), Corporate Partnerships (up 22%) and Philanthropy (up 15%).

Income 2022

2022 Program spend

Program spend increased in 2022, but remained constrained by COVID restrictions for the majority of the year. We finished the year with 779 children waiting for their Starlight Wish to be granted. This equates to over $5M of Program spend. Spend across the rest of the organisation was down $1M year on year. We received $2,291,897 total value of donated goods and services used in program delivery.

This includes:

  • Toys, games & art supplies from amazing partners like LEGO Australia, EB Games & Zing Pop Culture, Mattel and Spotlight for our Starlight Express Rooms and Livewire.

  • Volunteer hours - remain significantly down due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in hospitals

Thank you to all our volunteers and all who have donated other goods and services critical for program delivery.

2022 Program spend

Our impact reaches far and wide

We are the broadest reaching children's charity in Australia, supporting children and teens with all types of illness

Captain Starlight brightens the lives of children in major, metropolitan, regional & rural hospitals across Australia.

Australia's most reputable children's charity

Starlight has been ranked #1 Children's Charity in Reptrack’s Charity Reputation Index

Our annual reviews including financial reports

2022 Annual Review

2021 Annual Review

2020 Annual Review

2022 Annual Financial Report

2021 Annual Financial Report

2020 Annual Financial Report