Lessons from running one of Australia’s most trusted charities, 40 years on
Running a charity for four decades teaches you a lot, but it always starts with this simple truth: we rely on the generosity of Australians. Around 80 per cent of Canteen’s funding comes directly from community support. That is individuals, families, fundraisers, donors and partners choosing to stand with young people facing cancer. Their commitment ensures Canteen remains free for every young person who needs us, with no barriers to access.
Over the years, together we have navigated changing fundraising trends, shifting expectations, economic uncertainty, digital transformation and even a global pandemic. Through all of this, one thing has stayed constant: young people need support that is age appropriate, evidence based and delivered by people who genuinely understand what they are going through.
Here are the core lessons we have learnt in 40 years, and the principles that guide our decision making today:
1. Long term commitment matters more than quick fixes
You cannot build a trusted charity by chasing short term wins. Real impact comes from staying the course, investing properly and backing the work even when times get tough.
Canteen’s Board has always understood that supporting young people through cancer requires long range planning. Services need to be stable, reliable and ready when a young person reaches out. That only happens when leadership understands fundraising as an investment, not a cost.
This long horizon is one of the reasons Australians feel confident supporting Canteen. We have been here for 40 years, and we plan for the next 40 with the same level of commitment.
Takeaway: Build for the future, not the quarter.
2. Get the backbone right
Every organisation needs a stable, predictable revenue base to support families through the hardest moments of their lives. For Canteen, that backbone is the CanDo Family, our community of regular donors who choose to stand with young people facing cancer month after month.
The CanDo Family provides the majority of our fundraising income. It is what allows us to offer free counselling, peer support programs and specialist services to young people when they need them most. This level of stability helps generous Australians feel confident that their support is making a real difference.
The CanDo Family didn’t grow by accident. We have a team focused on understanding what motivates supporters and how we can better walk alongside them. We regularly connect with our CanDo Family to learn what matters most and to make sure their experience stays meaningful.
Takeaway: Stay close to your supporters. Listen often and let their feedback guide the way.
3. Thoughtful growth creates long term impact
The tricky thing about having a strong core program is that everything else can look small beside it. Over the years, we have diversified into many other areas of fundraising, always testing, learning and adapting as the landscape shifts. Some areas grow, others naturally reach their peak, and that is simply the reality of a changing environment. What guides us is keeping young people at the centre of everything we do. When an approach stops creating real value for them or for our supporters, we adjust so that time, energy and generosity continue to have lasting impact.
This is part of why Canteen is known as a reputable and well governed charity. We focus on long term mission, not short term hype.
Takeaway: Keep learning and stay focused on what creates meaningful, lasting impact.
4. Purpose and identity build trust
If the CanDo Family is our backbone, Bandanna Day is our heart.
For more than 30 years, the bandanna has symbolised solidarity with young people going through cancer treatment. It has become part of Australia’s cultural memory. Schools, families and volunteers keep it alive year after year.
This connection matters. When people have known a charity since childhood, trust builds naturally. It is one of the reasons Canteen consistently ranks among Australia’s most recognised and trusted cancer support organisations for young people.
Takeaway: Protect the meaning behind your most loved symbols. Purpose compounds.
5. Trust motivates giving, but it starts with authenticity
People support Canteen because the cause is relatable. Most Australians know someone affected by cancer, and many remember how tough adolescence can be even without a life threatening illness layered on top.
Trust is also built into our structure. Half of Canteen’s Board are young people who have been directly supported by our services. Their voice isn’t decorative. It shapes decisions at every level.
This authenticity is a major reason Australians see Canteen as a legitimate, credible and transparent charity that makes a real difference to young people and their families.
Takeaway: Real stories and real governance create deep, lasting trust.
6. When fundraising and marketing work as one, everyone benefits
Bringing our marketing and fundraising teams together created a single view of supporters, a unified strategy and better decision making. It removed duplication, strengthened accountability and improved how we communicate impact.
This integration has helped us engage a wider audience, increase clarity around why our work matters and ensure supporters understand exactly how their donations help young people facing cancer.
Takeaway: One message, one strategy, one purpose.
7. Technology evolves, but trust remains the foundation
Over the past few years, we have embraced new technologies, including predictive and generative AI. These tools help us personalise supporter experiences, improve our fundraising efficiency and reach more young people in need of support.
We pair innovation with strong governance, including an AI Committee at Board level. This combination is essential for any charity that wants to remain both relevant and reputable as expectations evolve.
Takeaway: Innovation is powerful, but ethics are non negotiable.
Looking ahead
After 40 years, Canteen is as committed as ever to improving the lives of young Australians impacted by cancer. The need for our services is growing, with cancer rates in young people (excluding melanoma) rising by 50 per cent since the 1980s. These are not just statistics. They represent real lives, real families and real futures at risk. This is why we continue to push for answers, better care and stronger support so every young person has the best possible chance at life.
We may be four decades in, but we still have the energy of the young people we support. Bold. Hopeful. Determined.
And that’s exactly how together we’ll keep making a difference.
