“Change The Future One Book At A Time”
“Change The Future One Book At A Time”
The GAT Foundation is a small, Melbourne-based, not-for-profit and volunteer-run charity dedicated to creating educational opportunities and promoting sustainability through the distribution of books across the Philippines.
Our three core objectives are:
GAT Foundation is a registered Australian charity with DGR status — all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. See Current details for ABN 47 945 120 273 | ABN Lookup.
At GAT Foundation, we collect and donate books from Australia to the Philippines to bridge the gap in access to academic literature and educational resources.
Every book we re-home, whether new or used, has the power to change a life, fuel a dream, and uplift entire communities through education.
By giving these books a second life, we not only support learning but also reduce waste, saving thousands of books from ending up in Australian landfills. It’s education with impact — locally and globally.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact
The GAT Foundation was established in 2016 by Samantha Bonney, a Filipino-Australian, proud mum of two beautiful girls, and a passionate community advocate based in Melbourne. What began as a heartfelt idea has grown into a purposeful mission to tackle two pressing issues: the rising number of books ending up in landfills across Australia, and the limited access to literacy resources in many communities in the Philippines.
During her frequent visits to the Philippines, where much of her extended family still resides, Samantha witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by schools and communities in accessing quality reading materials. She saw an opportunity to make a difference by rescuing unwanted and unused books in Australia and giving them a new life, helping to educate, empower, and uplift learners in under-resourced areas.
In 2021, Samantha completed her studies in International and Community Development at Deakin University in Melbourne, equipping her with the knowledge and tools to expand the Foundation’s impact. Her work with GAT is deeply rooted in both lived experience and a strong commitment to community-driven change.
We specialise in building connections across borders through meaningful cross-cultural collaboration. At the GAT Foundation, we bring together individuals and organisations from both Australia and the Philippines to work toward a shared mission: empowering communities through education.
Our model encourages hands-on involvement. Volunteers and supporters collect books and engage their local communities in the process, actively promoting environmental sustainability and social change. By re-homing books, we not only reduce waste but also create lasting educational impact in areas that need it most.