Make a

Meaningful Moment

for mental health

Join a movement of people making meaningful moments to raise funds for a mentally healthier world.

Choose your fundraiser

Take a look at our event categories for some inspiration and choose the best fit for your fundraiser. 

Sweat

Walk, run, cycle, or burpee your way to success.

Host

Grab your friends and family and host a fundraising event.

Remember

Honour a loved one and raise money in their memory.

Change

Cut your hair, shave your head, or grow a mullet.

Stream

Play your favourite game and raise money.

Celebrate

Instead of gifts ask for donations at your next special occasion.

Work

Donate a portion of sales to support Black Dog.

Resist

Give up a bad habit for a good cause and raise money along the way.

Choose

Raise money for Black Dog in your own creative way.

Choose your fundraiser

Take a look at our event categories for some inspiration and choose the best fit for your fundraiser. Choose something that gets you excited and that you can't wait to share with others.

Sweat

Walk, run, cycle, or burpee your way to success.

Host

Grab your friends and family and host a fundraising event.

Remember

Honour a loved one and raise money in their memory.

Change

Cut your hair, shave your head, or grow a mullet.

Stream

Play your favourite game and raise money.

Celebrate

Instead of gifts ask for donations at your next special occasion.

Work

Donate a portion of sales to support Black Dog.

Resist

Give up a bad habit for a good cause and raise money along the way.

Choose

Raise money for Black Dog in your own creative way.

How it works

Choose your fundraiser

Choose an event or activity that suits you.

Sign up

Register online and create your personalised fundraising page.

Spread the word

Start raising funds for a mentally healthier world.

Meaningful Moments

You are a part of our inspiring community of fundraisers helping create a mentally healthier world for everyone. What has inspired your meaningful moment?

Avatar

Darren Jolly

My mental health decline started several years ago when my 13 year AFL football career ended without warning. The chance to thank the people who helped me achieve success, was taken away from me. I underestimated the transition from club life to normal life and I found myself floating through life with no real direction. Compile that with an unexpected brain operation, financial issues and toxic marriage, everything came to a head and I fell into a dark hole mentally. I couldn't see a way out. I would often sit in my car at night alone crying not knowing what to do. How to fix things. I felt trapped in my thoughts and couldn't see a way out. I sadly tried to end my life on two occasions because I thought it was the only way to fix things. I never told anyone about how I was feeling. For most part of my life, I believed being vulnerable as a man and talking about your feelings was a sign of weakness. I never talked to anyone about how I was feeling, what I was struggling with, and the dark thoughts I was having. The lightbulb moment came to me while I admitted myself into a mental health facility. I slowly started to take control of my life and made tough decisions to get in back in the direction I wanted it to. I talked to professionals, I talked to my family and friends, I prioritised my health, my sessions with my psychologist and I learned coping strategies to deal with my thoughts. I decided to organise a golf day to raise money for Black Dog Institute because I'm now in a position mentally to help others who are struggling. I have a goal of raising $50k for Black Dog as I know the money I raise for them will help fellow Australians who can't see their way out of their mess. I love playing golf and I use the time I play as a mental release. So what better way to raise money than to have a fun, relaxed golf day with people who want to support me and my fundraising goal also.

Avatar

Hsing Yun Education Foundation

We share a deep commitment to improving mental health outcomes, a mission that resonates with the work of the Black Dog Institute. This year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Buddha's Birthday Festival with a VegRun (Fun Run) event in Darling Harbour, and wanted to support a charity that prioritises our shared values of health and well-being and makes a significant contribution to mental health awareness and support Our goal was to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the groundbreaking work of the Black Dog Institute. We believe that by highlighting Black Dog Institute's initiatives and resources, we can inspire our community to engage more deeply with mental health issues and support.

Avatar

Zac Chapman

Setting off in January this year, I set out to walk solo from Melbourne to Perth to raise awareness for men's mental health and Black Dog Institute. After experiencing my own struggles with mental illness and losing my best mate to suicide two years ago, I knew I wanted to get out there and share the important message that its okay not to be okay, this walk was as much for me as it was for connecting with others across my travels and sharing this important message. Along my journey, I've met many wonderful people who have welcomed me with open arms, as I stop and rest/recover in their towns. Pictured here is a new mate for life, Stano, who I met in Port Augusta, South Australia. I have now raised over $2100 for Black Dog Institute and walked over 1050km. This is a cause close to my heart and I am proud of the impact I have made in the lives of people I've met along the way and also the impact my fundraising will make in the lives that need it the most.

Meaningful Moments

Mental illness doesn’t discriminate – it affects us all. It’s so important to share our experiences, have vital conversations and break down the stigma of mental illness.

You’re invited to share your experiences, stories and hopes for a mentally healthier world.

Avatar

Darren Jolly

My mental health decline started several years ago when my 13 year AFL football career ended without warning. The chance to thank the people who helped me achieve success, was taken away from me. I underestimated the transition from club life to normal life and I found myself floating through life with no real direction. Compile that with an unexpected brain operation, financial issues and toxic marriage, everything came to a head and I fell into a dark hole mentally. I couldn't see a way out. I would often sit in my car at night alone crying not knowing what to do. How to fix things. I felt trapped in my thoughts and couldn't see a way out. I sadly tried to end my life on two occasions because I thought it was the only way to fix things. I never told anyone about how I was feeling. For most part of my life, I believed being vulnerable as a man and talking about your feelings was a sign of weakness. I never talked to anyone about how I was feeling, what I was struggling with, and the dark thoughts I was having. The lightbulb moment came to me while I admitted myself into a mental health facility. I slowly started to take control of my life and made tough decisions to get in back in the direction I wanted it to. I talked to professionals, I talked to my family and friends, I prioritised my health, my sessions with my psychologist and I learned coping strategies to deal with my thoughts. I decided to organise a golf day to raise money for Black Dog Institute because I'm now in a position mentally to help others who are struggling. I have a goal of raising $50k for Black Dog as I know the money I raise for them will help fellow Australians who can't see their way out of their mess. I love playing golf and I use the time I play as a mental release. So what better way to raise money than to have a fun, relaxed golf day with people who want to support me and my fundraising goal also.

Avatar

Hsing Yun Education Foundation

We share a deep commitment to improving mental health outcomes, a mission that resonates with the work of the Black Dog Institute. This year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Buddha's Birthday Festival with a VegRun (Fun Run) event in Darling Harbour, and wanted to support a charity that prioritises our shared values of health and well-being and makes a significant contribution to mental health awareness and support Our goal was to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the groundbreaking work of the Black Dog Institute. We believe that by highlighting Black Dog Institute's initiatives and resources, we can inspire our community to engage more deeply with mental health issues and support.

Avatar

Zac Chapman

Setting off in January this year, I set out to walk solo from Melbourne to Perth to raise awareness for men's mental health and Black Dog Institute. After experiencing my own struggles with mental illness and losing my best mate to suicide two years ago, I knew I wanted to get out there and share the important message that its okay not to be okay, this walk was as much for me as it was for connecting with others across my travels and sharing this important message. Along my journey, I've met many wonderful people who have welcomed me with open arms, as I stop and rest/recover in their towns. Pictured here is a new mate for life, Stano, who I met in Port Augusta, South Australia. I have now raised over $2100 for Black Dog Institute and walked over 1050km. This is a cause close to my heart and I am proud of the impact I have made in the lives of people I've met along the way and also the impact my fundraising will make in the lives that need it the most.

Avatar

Amanda Stelcova - @Doors_Of_Sydney

I started walking the streets of our beautiful Sydney taking photos of the colourful old houses I love, as I suffer from bipolar disorder as well as a disabling chronic illness, & my doctors wanted me to go walking on days when I was well. So in 2019 I came up with the idea to go on walks in search of the most wonderful old doors and houses of Sydney, & my Instagram page @doors_of_sydney was born! After receiving many inquiries about buying prints of my photos, I decided to create a fundraiser for Black Dog Institute. Whereby I would cover the costs of printing, packing and shipping the prints to my wonderful supporters and the remaining proceeds per print would go directly to Black Dog Institute. Through this fundraiser, and the support of my amazing instagram community, we have come together to raise $5,300 for Black Dog Institute and mental health research.

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Matt Walker

For a period of time, I considered myself weak and worthless. 2023 was one of the hardest years of my life. Dealing with the loss of a friend, alcoholism and lack of direction in life. I’ve had friends who I consider brothers saying they don’t want to go on. It’s easy to feel lonely and rudderless throughout your mid twenties. I’m running on behalf of my brothers and sisters who struggle everyday. Additionally, I’ll be going sober over this 80 day period. Addiction is a common theme that ties in to depression and suicidal tendencies as a coping mechanism and requires much needed awareness. “It ain’t weak to speak”

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ben hansen

We lost 2 friends in a close period to suicide so we decided to do something out of our comfort zone. So 4 of us decided to walk 100km. We completed the walk in 22hrs. The first day was 41 degrees so we left at 4pm In the afternoon and finished the walk at 2pm the following day we were greeted by nighttime storms so walked the remaining 80km with soaking wet shoes. The blisters and pain were very noticeable from 70km onwards but we pushed through and all completed. We raised 9k and were all so stoked with our achievement.

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Jen Walton

The Commission Factory Publisher Development team have now been hosting an Annual Charity Trivia night for 2 years, our second being this years with funds going towards The Black Dog Institute. The reason we chose this fantastic cause is that everyone has been touched by mental health issues in some way or another and we want to ensure it is considered just as important as other diseases and illnesses. The event had a fantastic turn out we invited along our publishers across the industry and had a fun night of food, drinks and some friendly yet very competitive Trivia. This event was not only to raise funds and awareness for important causes but also to bring together our industry friends to spend time together, relax and have an enjoyable night right before the big cyber sales week we are all in the midst of now.

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Cody Haub

For my fundraiser I ran 6.44km every 4 hours for 48 hours. It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, adding the 10kg weight vest was a big big challenge for me. Having said that it was a great experience and I am so grateful that it has helped raise funds for a great cause. Cannot thank my support crew enough, even people just sending me through messages was enough to help motivate me to get it done, the people who came along with me for a run here and there was amazing and I’ll be forever thankful to them.

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Juliette fuimano

We are fundraising in memory of my brother Jachai Fuimano, who died in 2020 at the age of 22. He died unexpectedly from mental health from a domestic violence relationship and this was the only way he felt he could get out of his relationship. We all miss him everyday he was kind, caring, fun to be around and the life of the party.

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Lynn Perrin

We lost Jakob 17th October 2022 to suicide, he was 23 years old. His family and friends have all been affected by this, we all miss him dearly every day. Jakob was my daughter's boyfriend and he was like a son to me and I loved him with all my heart. I told him days before he passed I would always be there for him and I thought this is a way of being there for him by raising money to help others in his name. He would be very proud of everyone supporting this fundraiser for Black Dog Institute and he would be feeling special being in his name. Jakob was very caring and always there for everyone he was quirky and funny. I truly hope he is at peace now but I wish he was still here :(

Moments in the making

Some of the creative ways our supporters are raising funds for mental health and making their own meaningful moments.

Search for a Fundraiser

"Every single Community Fundraiser is inspired by the Institute's mantra: Science. Compassion. Action. But there is another word that can be added, it is LOVE.

Love is the universal inspiration connecting all of us and our stories. Fundraising for Black Dog Institute is deeply personal. Your humanity is our humanity. Long may it be so."

Peter Joseph, Chairman

Questions?

The Black Dog Institute fundraising team are here to help. Feel free to email us at fundraising@blackdog.org.au