Running a social enterprise is crazy hard work, especially when you only have so much capacity and resources. We get it. That is why finding the time to stay across what is happening can be very difficult, even for the most seasoned, time-efficient changemaker.
The social enterprise sector is multi-faceted, spanning social innovation, not-for-profits, social finance and impact investing, philanthropy and more. With so much going on in each of these domains, it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and miss out on opportunities that could advance your organisation and fundamentally transform the lives of those you exist to serve.
The trick is to stop trying to read everything out there. There’s too much. And you’re too busy. To make your life that bit easier, we have teamed up with Social Impact Hub to put together this bite-sized quarterly update filled with the most important developments and activities in the impact sector – it’s all you need to stay informed and up-to-date.
So, without further ado, here is a summary of noteworthy headlines for the third quarter of 2023, as they happened…
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers released the Working Futures White Paper, which acknowledges the role of social enterprises in fostering economic development and enhancing labour force participation, especially in Australia’s most disadvantaged communities.
- The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP released a media statement outlining how the Albanese Government will engage with the social enterprise sector to identify ways to provide more employment and training opportunities for Australians who face disadvantage.
- Social Traders released its Pace 2023 report showcasing certified social enterprises’ incredible economic and impact contributions.
- The Federal Government invited submissions for improved approaches to community sector grant funding.
- Save the Children launched its second impact investment fund, three years after its initial fund, which was Australia’s first impact investment fund by an aid organisation.
- Tara Anderson, CEO of Social Traders, was interviewed by Helen Trinca in The Australian about the ‘best kept secret’ of social enterprise.
- Nominations opened for the 2023 Australian Impact Investment Awards coordinated by the Impact Investing Hub.
- SECNA (Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT) sought nominations from members interested in joining one of three working groups.
- Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) hosted a social enterprise networking breakfast on the Sunshine Coast.
- Ten social changemakers were announced winners at the 2023 Third Sector Awards.
- Social Ventures Australia (SVA) was awarded Best CSR Innovation and recognised as one of the Australian Financial Review’s Most Innovative not-for-profit organisations.
- For Purpose Investment Partners published its inaugural FY23 Impact Report.
- The Centre for Social Impact decided to close the Amplify Online platform after lower than anticipated take-up.
- Disability advocates say tighter regulation of NDIS service providers is needed after an ABC investigation uncovered “sickening” practices.
- According to a new survey, more than one-third of Australian businesses are struggling to achieve their carbon emission reduction targets.
- OSII (Office of Social Impact Investment) selected five job-focused social enterprises to advance the social and economic wellbeing of around 650 women facing barriers to employment.
- New speakers announced for the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF23).
- CEO of White Box Enterprises, Luke Terry, met with Minister Di Farmer to discuss how payment by outcomes funding could be a game changer for social enterprise in Queensland.
- Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation’s For Purpose Impact Accelerator Hub to open in October.
- Labor launched a new body to evaluate public programs using randomised trials.
- Social Impact in the Regions conference, the only social impact event designed by and for regional Australians, took place in Coffs Harbour.
- Fourteen social enterprises joined AMP Foundation’s Tomorrow Makers SPARK Program delivered by Impact Boom.
- Social Enterprise Australia hosted an online event to discuss the Voice Referendum and Uluru Statement from the Heart.
- WASEC (Western Australia Social Enterprise Council) hosted a Learning from Aboriginal Enterprise Spotlight event to showcase Aboriginal-owned enterprises.
- SECNA hosted its 11th monthly meetup, which dived into the world of mentorship.
- SENVIC (Social Enterprise Network of Victoria) and Ability Works Australia hosted a networking and learning event focused on government engagement.
- A new social enterprise incubated by White Box Enterprises, Civik, launched in Cairns to create 250 jobs for people who face barriers to employment.
- The Funding Network celebrated its tenth anniversary of giving.
- Jacob Muller stepped down from Catalysr, the award-winning startup accelerator for migrant and refugee entrepreneurs he co-founded in 2016.
- Dr Lyndsey McKee stepped into the role of Acting CEO at Centre for Social Impact.
- New report from the GIIN (Global Impact Investing Network), Emerging Trends in Impact Investing, found that investors plan to increase capital allocation to emerging markets and the energy sector, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.
- According to a new report commissioned by White Box Enterprises, people living with a disability are twice as likely to stay in their jobs and earn 28 per cent more when employed by a jobs-focused social enterprise.
- The ACT Government unveiled a new three-year strategy to support and promote small businesses in Canberra, including social enterprises.
- Victoria’s growing social enterprise sector received a major boost with the expansion of Australia’s first dedicated social enterprise precinct at the Queen Victoria Market.
- NSW Government backs diverse founders with four new pre-accelerator programs.
- Social Enterprise Australia turned one and began gathering stakeholder views on Department of Social Services’ Social Enterprise Development Initiative.
- Australian Private Ancillary Funds and Public Ancillary Funds will soon have an opportunity to consider deploying funds as impact investments.
- First Nations Futures launched to redistribute wealth and co-invest in a growing network of First Nations community-driven initiatives.
- QSEC bid farewell to the amazing Elise Parups who joins Impact Club as its new CEO.
- The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Development Finance highlighted the development financing gap of US$4.2 trillion globally required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
- Social Traders Australia announced its social procurement game changers for 2023.
- SECNA sought feedback from those who have attended one of itss Meetups it can continue improving and organise better future events.
- EnergyLab announced the ten startups that have joined its 2023 Climate Solutions Accelerator.
- WASEC CEO Ross Wortham spoke to The University of Western Australia undergraduates at the Centre for Social Impact about the WA social enterprise landscape.
- Social Impact Hub announced the fifth cohort of its Social Impact Fellowship.
- LendForGood was selected for the EnergyNext 2023 Accelerator, facilitated by Startupbootcamp.
- Centre for Social Impact announced the 24 for-purpose CEOs selected for the third Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) Program cohort.
- 9 August was International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers MP released the Measuring What Matters report.
- The NSW Government affirmed its commitment to boost social enterprises by signing an agreement with Social Traders Australia.
- The latest report from the United Nations warned that the world is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
- Collab4Good, South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC) and Social Traders Australia partner to deliver the Business For Good program.
- The SENVIC Board met with Minister Ben Carroll MP to convey its commitment to the Victorian Government Social Enterprise Strategy 2021-2025.
- Caragh Porter joined Social Enterprise Australia as its Finance and Systems Officer.
- SECNA welcomed Carmel Shaw to the team as its part-time Operations Lead.
- The Mill House Ventures Ltd. kicked off its flagship accelerator, GRIST23.
- The Australian Scholarships Foundation and Social Impact Hub announced five Social Impact Fellowship Scholarships recipients.
- Community Capital announced the four social purpose organisation grant recipients of its inaugural grant round.
- Benefolk (formerly The Xfactor Collective Foundation) launched The Social Sector Wellbeing and Resilience Hub – The Community Well.
- City of Parramatta’s Pitch for Good Parramatta 2023 was held at Spacecubed’s Western Sydney Startup Hub.
- Social Enterprise Australia, Social Traders Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, Yume Food Australia and STREAT advocate for social enterprise at the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics.
- A collection of Australia’s leading philanthropic organisations announced a new $4 million grant program for Work Integration Social Enterprises.
- First Australians Capital secured $15 million to back Indigenous businesses and appoints Brian Wyborn as Managing Partner.
- Andrew and Nicola Forrest commit an additional $5 billion to the Minderoo Foundation.
- SECNA met with ACT Minister Tara Cheyne MLA and her team to discuss growing social enterprise in Canberra.
- WASEC hosted an event at Perth City Farm to share, listen and learn from circular economy and sustainability sector leaders.
- QSEC asked Queensland-based social enterprises to add their story to its History Pin Collection.
- White Box Enterprises CEO Luke Terry presented at the Select Committee for Workforce Australia to champion jobs-focused social enterprises.
- Impact Boom’s Elevate+ 2023 cohort presented their impact-led enterprises at The Triffid.
- After a thorough selection process, All Good Ventures announced the four social enterprises it is supporting in 2023.
- Ocean Impact Organisation revealed the cohort for its 2023 accelerator program.
- The first 20 speakers for 2023 Social Enterprise World Forum were announced.
- CSIRO published a new book highlighting positive initiatives around the world to reduce plastic waste.
- Simon O’Connor stepped down as CEO of Responsible Investment Association Australasia after ten years.
- Steph Shorter and Alexandra Humphry joined Impact Seed, a leading impact advisory in Western Australia.
While not comprehensive, this summary highlights many of the key sector developments, people movements and activities that we believe would be most beneficial for social enterprise and purpose-driven organisations to be aware of. The information included is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of 30 September 2022. If there’s something important we missed, let us know! Leave a comment or email us at hello@socialchangecentral.com.
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