This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout with more than $100 million raised so far to combat homelessness across Australia. It also marks 50 years of the Vinnies Soup Van program, which offers meals, care, and hope to those doing it tough.
On Thursday 19 June 2025, Catholic Development Fund (CDF) will once again join leaders across Victoria for the annual event — sleeping out at South Melbourne Market — in a night of solidarity, reflection, and action.
Following on from last years’ success, the CDF team is stepping up to sleep rough. Among them is David Brown, CDF’s General Manager IT and Products, who reflected on his experience last year: "Hearing the stories of a young woman fleeing domestic violence and a man who had fallen through every safety net reminded me that homelessness can happen to anyone. That night gave me a deep appreciation for the support services that Vinnies provides—and how much more is needed.”
"...homeless can happen to anyone. That night [2024] gave me a deep appreciation for the support services that Vinnies provides - and how much more is needed."
David Brown, CDF
Homelessness continues to escalate. In the last census period, between 2016 and 2021, homelessness saw an increase of over 5%, following a 14% increase in the previous census period. Today, more than 30,000 people are also awaiting access to public housing. Demand for food security support has also reached alarming levels:
- Vinnies' Soup Vans now deliver over 800,000 meals annually
- Demand for meals has surged by 65% in Melton, 50% in Berwick, and 35% across Southeast Victoria
- Nine out of ten calls to Vinnies Victoria’s call centre relate to urgent food insecurity needs
All funds raised through this year’s CEO Sleepout will support the expansion of Vinnies Soup Vans, ensuring they can reach even more vulnerable people across the state.
In addition to taking part in the CEO Sleepout, CDF remains committed to funding more than $90 million in loans to VincentCare (St Vincent de Paul Society) to support the delivery of vital community housing projects in Bendigo, Epping, Footscray, Sunshine, and Maribyrnong. These developments will provide safe, long-term housing for individuals and families experiencing hardship—reinforcing our shared commitment to practical, lasting solutions that provide access to save housing, nutritious food and support the dignity of life.
If you’d like to help CDF continue supporting the growth of Catholic communities, you can put your faith into action by investing in the CDF Community Fund. Not only will you earn a competitive rate of interest, but your savings will help finance projects like those at VincentCare, and enable Catholic organisations to continue the work the Gospel calls us all to do. Learn more and apply today.
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CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
