Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA)

I’m delighted to introduce the 2025 SPARK Tomorrow Makers, a remarkable cohort of early-stage social entrepreneurs bringing community-led solutions to life through social enterprise idea development. Through the Tomorrow Makers SPARK program, each selected founder will receive up to $20,000 in grant funding, alongside an 18‑week fully subsidised program delivered with Impact Boom. They’ll gain access to industry‑expert led workshops, interactive online modules, one‑on‑one mentoring, immersive group sessions, and a national peer network. This initiative is grounded in our commitment at AMP Foundation to support individuals with bold ideas that create measurable change. In partnership with Program Manager Lucy Watson and Impact Boom, I’m confident this talented group will make a meaningful impact in the years ahead. Please join me in celebrating and supporting our 2025 SPARK Tomorrow Makers as they embark on this transformative journey. https://lnkd.in/gPiB9rtx Andy de Groot | Queer Food Carla Raynes 🦋 | Challenge The Label Diana Quiceno | BLD Engineers Hayley McQuire | @Knowledge Weaver Karen Platt & Hayley Clarke | CandleXchange Kristie Ivone | Boas Language Academy Obelia Tait | Inhabit Place Rick Cohen | Worthy Cause Ronnie Benbow OAM | WHO CARES Sarah Olsson & Dr Karyn Sutcliffe | The Mindset Sharin Milner | Split the Profit Tahlia Isaac | Project:herBEAUTY #AMPFoundation #TomorrowMakers #SPARKProgram #SocialEnterprise #CommunityImpact #HelpingPeopleCreateTheirTomorrow Tom Allen Business For Good Network (BFGN)

🧭 Could Safe Harbour provisions help save a struggling social enterprise? All businesses can hit rough patches — and for social enterprises, the stakes can be even higher. When financial trouble looms, knowing your legal responsibilities as a director is critical — and knowing your options might just save your enterprise. Join us for a one-hour webinar on Safe Harbour provisions, designed to help social enterprise leaders understand: ✔️ What to do if insolvency is on the horizon ✔️ How Safe Harbour can protect directors while exploring solutions ✔️ The key steps needed to access this protection ✔️ Why early action is essential — and how to take it 💭 Plus an opportunity to ask your questions 🗓 23 June | 🕐 12:00-1:00 PM 💻 Online Webinar 🎙 With John Melluish (PCI Partners) & Campbell Hudson (Dentons) 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/g47KuHUM This session is especially valuable for board members, founders, and advisors in the social enterprise sector — or anyone wanting to better understand how to protect purpose-driven organisations during tough times. #SocialEnterprise #InsolvencySupport #SafeHarbour #PurposeLedLeadership #SocialEnterpriseSupport

♻️ Ever wondered what it really takes to run a social enterprise? Come behind the scenes with us at Revolve ReCYCLING — where bikes get a second life, waste stays out of landfill, and impact rides strong. 🚲 What you’ll see and learn: 🔧 Hear from CEO Guido Verbist on the story, challenges and impact of Revolve ReCYCLING 🔁 Discover how the team champions a circular economy through innovation & partnerships 🛠 Watch expert bike mechanics in action as they refurbish and recycle 💡 Learn how a bold idea became a thriving, award-winning social enterprise in just 3 years 🏪 Visit Sydney’s largest store for refurbished bikes (and maybe find your next ride!) 🗓 Date: June 24 | 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM 📍 Location: Revolve ReCYCLING HQ, Sydney This tour, proudly supported by the #WestpacFoundation and AMP Foundation, is perfect for social entrepreneurs, impact funders, or leaders exploring how social enterprise can power sustainability and community. 👉 Spots are limited — register now and experience impact in motion: https://lnkd.in/dQPJbSaS #CircularEconomy #SocialEnterprise #SustainableTransport #WasteReduction #BikeRecycling #NSWImpact

Back in December of 2022, a mentor of mine helped me see that in order to have the sort of scalable impact that I aspire to have, I need to build my financial literacy. A few months later, I attended my first Impact Investment Summit with the goal of learning as much as I could about how capital flows at scale. That's why last night felt special - I had the privilege of moderating a panel on 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 for the Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA). Big shout-out to Lauren Maccheroni from White Box Finance, Nina Yousefpour from GoodWolf Partners, and Ash Nazim from ImpactX Growth Partners for sharing their experience and knowledge. A few of my favourite takeaways: 💡 Grants are a great way to test small-scale ideas and support programmatic work - especially those costs that can't easily be covered by customer payments, underwriting, or your own balance sheet 💡Debt (loans) and equity (ownership stake) can be used for asset growth and development - such as purchasing property or investing in a new physical structure 💡Lenders will look at two things: the risk profile of your venture, and the collateral you bring to the table. Think about it this way: If someone is going to give you money, and things don’t go to plan, how will they recover that investment? What can be liquidated if needed? That question—how you manage risk and demonstrate security—can make or break a debt funding proposal. And last but definitely not least, this provocation from Nina Yousefpour: 💡"Instead of just seeking funding, we should be thinking about how we engage with funders and investors in ways that reflect shared values and mutual influence. That means really understanding their objectives—and helping them understand yours. Because, at the end of the day, it’s people on both sides. Have these conversations human to human. Engage them in your journey. Speak to your challenges in a way that resonates—and that’s backed by data and strategy." On top of all that, we: 👉 Defined terms like "patient capital", "catalytic capital", and "blended finance" 👉 Discussed recent developments such as the Social Enterprise Loan Fund ("SELF") and the Social Enterprise Development Initiative ("SEDI") Grants 👉 Received a comprehensive overview of the philanthropic sector 👉 Learned about the great work being done in this space by Sefa, the Foundations Group for Impact Investing, LendForGood, Social Impact Hub, and many more 👉 Heard examples of social enterprises that are navigating this space, such as Yalagan Group and ShoreTrack Thanks again to the panellists for sharing their experience, to Mark Hanover and Canva Space for hosting, to South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC) for partnering on event production, and most importantly to the 50+ social entrepreneurs that joined us online and in person to learn and grow!

📣 SECNA’s next quarterly meetup is happening this June! The theme this time: Funding for Social Enterprises – Grants, Debt & Equity 💸 All enterprises need capital to grow — but for social enterprises, the path isn’t always straightforward. While charities rely on grants and donations, and profit-driven companies lean on equity or debt, social enterprises often need a more blended approach. We’ll hear from experts in philanthropy, debt, and investment as they unpack the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in funding social impact. 📅 June 10 | 🕕 6:00 - 8:00 PM This is a Hybrid Event; 🏨 Canva Space, Surry Hills, OR 💻 Online via Zoom 🎟 Tickets available from: https://lnkd.in/gvGdEzNF 🌍 Whether you’re running a social venture or supporting one, this is a must-attend discussion. #SocialEnterprise #ImpactInvesting #Philanthropy #StartupFunding #SocialImpact #MissionDriven