What the new state budget means for your family
The budget signed this week runs to 1,400 pages. Here are the six changes most likely to reach your kitchen table, explained without the jargon.
Civica Alliance programmes
Our volunteers answer the phone, fill the forms and plant the trees - and then take what they learn to the people who write the rules.
Volunteers restoring dune grass, Riverton shore
What we do
Each programme is run by trained volunteers and reports its results every quarter.
Neighbourhood relief
Emergency food, rent and utility help, delivered with local partners in 38 counties. 12,400 households helped
Health navigators
Volunteers who help residents compare plans, appeal denied claims and find free clinics. 9,800 appointments kept
Parent budget school
Six evenings that teach parents to read a school budget and speak at board meetings. 340 parents trained
Community climate plans
Residents map their own heat and flood risks and present a plan to their council. 9 district plans adopted
Summer appeal
Last summer, the worst heat came after sunset - and most centres had already closed. $250,000 keeps 40 centres open until 10pm for the whole season, with volunteers checking on neighbours who cannot get there.
$182,400 raised of $250,000
Last year
From our audited 2026 impact report.
46,000
Residents helped
by phone, in person and online
128,000
Volunteer hours
from 5,200 active volunteers
212
Towns reached
across 38 counties
14
Rules changed
laws and ordinances we testified for
Transparency
We publish our full accounts every September. This is last year, rounded to the nearest percent.
Read the impact reportFigures from the independently audited 2026 financial statements.
Latest
What the new state budget means for your family
The budget signed this week runs to 1,400 pages. Here are the six changes most likely to reach your kitchen table, explained without the jargon.
A day on the voter help line
Between 7am and 8pm on primary day, our volunteers answered 2,318 calls. Most were simple. A few changed whether someone voted at all.
After the hottest summer on record, five lessons for next year
This summer brought 23 days above 38°C. Our volunteers kept cooling centres open and checked on isolated neighbours. Here is what we learned.
Delivered with
No experience needed
Training every Wednesday at 6pm, in person or online. Dinner and child care provided.