Empowering Financial Resilience with Hope Economy

Since 2018, the Coopers Foundation has invested more than $230,000 in Hope Economy (formerly known as Christians Against Poverty Australia), supporting the training of hundreds of Money Mentors and helping Australians break cycles of financial stress through community-led, church-based support.

Our relationship began when the charity received a $150,000 Sustainable Giving grant over three years to support and scale its Money Mentoring program. This model combines practical money skills with one-on-one mentoring, delivered by trained, church-based volunteers, helping individuals and families break cycles of debt and rebuild confidence and hope. Recognising the effectiveness and growing demand for this approach, we provided additional funding of $30,000 in 2023 to continue expanding the program’s reach.

2025 Grant: Expanding Money Mentoring Nationally

In December 2025, the Coopers Foundation awarded a further $50,000 General Giving grant to Hope Economy to support the recruitment and training of 100 more Money Mentors. This funding will enable them to equip church-based volunteers across Australia to walk alongside individuals and families experiencing financial stress.

With financial stress affecting two-thirds of Australians, this investment will help ensure Hope Economy can respond to growing need by expanding its training capacity and strengthening the support available at a local, community level. The project is expected to support approximately 300 people each year, with measurable improvements in financial wellbeing and confidence.

Why We Continue to Support Hope Economy

Their work aligns strongly with the Coopers Foundation’s commitment to fostering family and community support based on Christian values. Their model leverages the trusted presence of local churches, pairing practical assistance with relational support that restores dignity and builds long-term resilience.

Through sustained partnership and targeted investment, we are proud to support Hope Economy as they continue to equip communities across Australia to respond compassionately and effectively to financial hardship — creating lasting change, one household at a time.

Note: Hope Economy was formerly known as Christians Against Poverty at the time this article was originally published.