Resources for Social Enterprises
Upcoming Events
Recent News
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Foresters Community Finance (Foresters) has a wealth of knowledge and experience assisting community organisations develop through asset property ownership.
At bankmecu, they believe in a responsible approach to banking. They also ... Read More..
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Foresters Community Finance, bankmecu, along with National Disability Services (NDS) Queensland are pleased to announce the launch of a report into the financial exclusion of individuals, specifically individuals with a ... Read More..
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A Report commissioned by Foresters and Social Traders into the role of specialist financial intermediaries in unlocking access to capital and investment in underserved markets in Australia has been launched. ... Read More..
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Welcome to the first newsletter of 2013. This year looks to be yet another big year for Foresters Community Finance (Foresters) as we focus on our vision now and well ... Read More..
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Foresters’ 2012 Annual Review not only highlights the achievements of the company but also demonstrates Foresters’ capacity to build a pathway between the demand for capital and the supply of ... Read More..
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At this time of year we tend to reflect on the year past - and plan for the year hence. Foresters has experienced a year of growth in 2012 and ... Read More..
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Social Investment Australia Sponsors Buderim9 Cycling Event
Working with both the Sunshine Coast Cycling Club and the Cerebral Palsy League, Social Investment Australia (SIA) has teamed up to sponsor the Buderim ... Read More..
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Gifts that Give Good
The Good Gift Christmas Catalogue includes over 200 products and services from social enterprises in Australia. From social blend coffee and social enterprise wine to aboriginal ... Read More..
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Universal Village Increases Access of Fair Trade Goods To The Australian Public
Universal Village Pty Ltd (Universal Village) will be able to increase their promotion and marketing capacity for their popular ... Read More..
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Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) has this month unveiled their new counseling service with borrowed capital from Foresters Community Finance through the Australian Government’s Social Enterprise Development and Investment Fund (SEDIF) ... Read More..
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Community Business Bureau (CBB) provides business assistance and solutions across Australia
Located in Adelaide South Australia, CBB is a nationally focused business solutions provider for organisations that prefer to operate in ... Read More..
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Foresters’ Community Asset Building team, through our arrangement with bankmecu, have successfully enabled Sunshine Coast Independent Living Service (SCILS) to finance theredevelopment of their ... Read More..
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Foresters Sector Discovery Forums: Pathways to enhancing knowledge
Despite the similarities, such as shared challenges in regulatory and funding climates, social enterprises and non-profit organisations operate across a broad range ... Read More..
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Recently, Pro Bono Australia featured an article by Racel Alembakis of The Sustainability Report around what 'new' money is available in the social sector.
The article looks at several major ... Read More..
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Foresters Community Finance (Foresters) and bankmecu have partnered to deliver finance to financially excluded community organisations to assist them in purchasing property.
Damien Walsh, CEO of bankmecu and Belinda Drew, CEO of... Read More..
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Links
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Our Community
Our Community is a world-leading social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia's 600,000 not-for-profit community groups and state, private and independent schools, as well as practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government.
www.ourcommunity.com.au
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Our Community
Our Community is a world-leading social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia's 600,000 not-for-profit community groups and state, private and independent schools, as well as practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government.
www.ourcommunity.com.au
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Resources and Publications for the Not for Profit Sector - Victoria
A resource library provided by The Office of the Community Sector Victoria. All publications can be downloaded for free.
www.dpcd.vic.gov.au
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Department of Business and Innovation - Business Development Managers
The Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) helps grow Victoria’s diverse and vibrant economy by supporting pro-business policies and programs and the development of innovative industries.
www.dbi.vic.gov.au
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Queensland Government Business and Industry Portal - Business Mentoring
This resource provides an overview of mentoring programs and how you can get involved.
www.business.qld.gov.au
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Documents
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Supporting Social Enterprises to Support Vulnerable Consumers: The Example of Community Development Finance Institutions and Financial Exclusion
2011 - By Therese Wilson
Download PDF
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Financing Social Enterprise: Understanding Needs and Realities
2010 - By Dr Ingrid Burkett
Download PDF
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a social enterprise and a non-profit organisation?
Social enterprises derive a substantial portion of their income from trade and reinvest the majority of their profit/surplus in the fulfilment of their mission. Non-profit organisations rely heavily on other sources of income such as government grants, philanthropic money and fundraising events and in comparison do not rely on trade for income. A non-profit organisation may have a branch that does operate as a social enterprise.
How does social enterprise differ from social entrepreneurs and social innovation?
Social enterprises - are organisations and collective agencies. They are led by an economic, social, cultural or environmental mission consistent with a public or community benefit; trade to fulfil their mission; derive a substantial portion of their income from trade; and reinvest the majority of their profit/surplus in the fulfilment of their mission.
Social entrepreneurs - are the ‘individuals who pursue opportunities to create pattern-breaking change in inequitable systems, whether through social enterprises or other means’.
Social innovation - is focused on the processes of social transformation.
Is the Social Enterprise Solutions program giving out grants or loans?
Social Enterprise Solutions provides loans to social enterprises for asset building and business development or purchase of equipment.
What are the requirements to be eligible for a loan?
To be eligible for a loan, the organisation must be a social enterprise trading to fulfil its mission to provide public or community benefit; require the loan for asset-building, business development or purchase of equipment; and demonstrate capacity to repay the loan.
Does Social Enterprise Solutions give loans to start-up social enterprises?
Social Enterprise Solutions is offering finance to social enterprises in the form of a loan. In order for a social enterprise to borrow money, it must be able to demonstrate the capacity to borrow and repay a loan. Some start-up social enterprises achieve borrowing capacity and security for a first mortgage through a link to a non-profit organisation or a parent organisation that provides security or a guarantee for the loan. This enables the social enterprise to establish themselves and lessens the financial risk for the lending body.
For enquiries regarding start-up social enterprises, contact the Social Enterprise Solutions team.
What grant money or seed capital opportunities exist for start-up social enterprises?
Finding seed capital for a start-up social enterprise is often not an easy process and the supply of this form of capital in Australia is still as yet underdeveloped. Listed below are several avenues that social enterprises can pursue:
1. Social Traders
2. Social Ventures Australia
3. NAB microenterprise loans
4. School for Social Entrepreneurs (programs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne)
5. Parramatta City Council Seed Funding
6. Westpac Foundations
7. Business Grants Australia
8. TACSI
9. NSW office of Fair Trading
10. RMIT SEED
Each state also has a Gambling Fund that fund for business projects
1. QLD
2. NSW
Note, this is not an exhaustive list but a starting point, Social Enterprise Solutions will continue to build this list over time. You can also check with your local and state governments for additional information on grants.
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