The Lumina Project’s Emergency Response Fund provides one-off financial assistance to parents following the death of a child (post-birth). Support is delivered nationally through professional referral pathways and is designed to be low-burden, trauma-informed and dignity-first. Following the death of a child, families often experience immediate financial disruption due to funeral costs, loss of income, ...
The Lumina Project
Emergency Response Fund — Bereaved Parents (National)
GOAL
$10,000
Australia > National / Multi-state > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
- Individual/family services and support
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- General population
The Lumina Project
The Lumina Project provides rapid, one-off emergency financial assistance to parents following the death of a child. When a child dies, families often face immediate financial shock including funeral gaps, rent arrears, utility bills and loss of income at the same time as profound grief. While emotional and peer support services exist, there is very limited practical financial stabilisation available in the first days and weeks after loss.
Lumina provides direct, time-sensitive assistance to help prevent families from falling into deeper hardship. Our support is referral-based and trauma-informed, ensuring funds are delivered with dignity and minimal administrative burden during a period of acute vulnerability.
Based in Victoria and operating nationally, Lumina is building a carefully governed Emergency Response Fund designed to respond quickly while maintaining strong financial oversight and transparent reporting. Funding supports direct family assistance and the operational capacity required to deliver timely, stabilising support to bereaved parents across Australia.
Project Summary
The Lumina Project’s Emergency Response Fund provides one-off financial assistance to parents following the death of a child (post-birth). Support is delivered nationally through professional referral pathways and is designed to be low-burden, trauma-informed and dignity-first.
Following the death of a child, families often experience immediate financial disruption due to funeral costs, loss of income, rent, transport and essential living expenses. In acute grief, navigating complex systems can be overwhelming. Small, rapid financial assistance can stabilise households and reduce secondary stress during an already traumatic period.
Lumina provides contained, one-off payments with no forms, no testimonials and no reporting requirements. We do not monitor spending or require public acknowledgement. Our approach prioritises trust, privacy and careful pacing.
Funding will increase the number of families we are able to support nationally while maintaining conservative governance and safe delivery structures.
Project Outcomes
The primary outcome is increased short-term financial stability for bereaved parents during the immediate period following the death of a child.
We measure success through the number of families supported, total funds disbursed, referral source engagement and payment turnaround time. Our focus is not volume, but safe and consistent delivery aligned with professional referral pathways.
Secondary outcomes include strengthened hospital and clinician trust, improved referral clarity and reduced administrative burden for families in acute grief.
In the longer term, stabilising families at this critical point contributes to reduced financial distress and supports parental capacity to manage practical arrangements without additional crisis.
Lumina’s approach prioritises dignity, containment and sustainability over rapid expansion. Success is defined by responsible growth and preservation of trust.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $30,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding gap | $10,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Direct family support payments | $21,000 |
| Operational backbone (payment processing, referrer liaison, governance) | $9,000 |
Support The Lumina Project
Got a question about this organisation or ready to contribute? Contact us.
Are you an ACF Fundholder? Log in to your Fund Portal to request a grant from your Fund.
Add your organisation to the Funding Platform
Is your not-for-profit organisation seeking funding? Add your organisation to the Funding Platform or upload your funding needs for a project.
Is this your organisation profile? You can request updates by resubmitting a Funding Platform Submission.