Social Enterprise Sector: Quarterly Update (Q2 2022)
Running a social enterprise is crazy hard work, especially when you only have so much capacity and resources at your disposal. We get it. That is why finding the time to stay across what is happening can very difficult, even for the most seasoned, time-efficient changemaker.
The social enterprise sector is multi-faceted, spanning the worlds of social innovation, charities and 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 Change Central 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 second quarter of 2022, as they happened…
SECNA (Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT) appointed two new Directors, Andrew Marselos from Social Traders and David Burns from Collective Leisure.
ASENA (Alliance of Social Enterprise Networks Australia) is rolling out an engagement campaign across the country to get social enterprise on the federal agenda.
SECNA launchd its Canberra Community Hub.
Impact Seed announced Impact 2 Innovate – a multi-year $1.3M program for social enterprise and impact investment growth in Western Australia (article behind paywall).
Social Traders announced $1 million grant from Gandel Foundation to accelerate the take-up of social enterprise procurement.
Impact investors expressed continued frustration at the government for ignoring the powerful, market-based mechanisms offered by investing for impact.
SVA (Social Ventures Australia) welcomed Sarah Davies AM as a new director on the SVA Board.
Impact Investment Summit was held for the impact investment community in the region.
Sunshine Coast social enterprises met with Sue Ferguson, candidate for Fairfax, to champion social enterprise and the #switch2good business.
WASEC (WA Social Enterprise Council) board members Amanda Healy and Katie Liew were featured in The West advocating for Western Australia’s social enterprise sector in the lead up to the federal election (article behind paywall).
SENVIC (Social Enterprise Network Victoria) seeked a Metropolitan Manager to lead and coordinate their Metropolitan Network.
Bursaries opened for this year’s Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), happening both online and in-person in Brisbane, Australia!
Amy Blacker joined White Box Enterprise as their head of Marketing and Communications.
Social Traders was looking to hire a Social Procurement Support Officer to work within Queensland Government Procurement to increase procurement with genuine, quality social enterprises.
Arminé Nalbandian was appointed CEO of the Centre for Social Impact.
JBWere released its Corporate Support Report, which explores partnerships between the corporations and for-purpose organisations.
Global Citizen launched six new impact funds to help accelerate progress towards achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).
SVA was awarded a Best Workplace Winner by Voice Project Australia.
SENVIC sought Local Leads to build a connected and thriving network across Victoria.
SENS (Social Enterprise National Strategy) hosted two co-design focus groups with the social enterprise sector.
Co-hosted by White Box Enterprises, the SEWF 2022 Policy Forum was held.
Home to Green Collect and YMCA ReBuild, Melbourne’s newest social enterprise precinct opened.
SAP backs business for good by funding social enterprise development in Australia.
CQUniversity became Australia’s first and only university certified as a social enterprise by Social Traders.
Danny Gilbert AM, Michael Traill AM and Dr Catherine Brown OAM joined the Impact Investing Australia Board.
Young Change Agents, in partnership with Sydney School of Entrepreneurship, released its ‘Insights into the NSW Youth Entrepreneurial Education Ecosystem’ whitepaper.
National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, took place.
Catalyst 2030 coordinated Catalysing Change Week 2022.
The global B Corp community reached 5,000 certified corporations.
National Reconciliation Week explored how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
SENTAS (Social Enterprise Network Tasmania), the final piece in the puzzle that is Australia’s Social Enterprise Networks & Councils, launched its website!
SECNA extended its Canberra Community Hub pilot to December.
SENVIC looked to hire its next Regional Manager.
According to WASEC, if social enterprise was poorly understood at a federal level before the election, the appointment of Professor Glyn Davis AC as the new Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will likely change that.
White Box Enterprises signed a Grant Agreement with the Department of Social Services in support of a proposed PBO (Payment by Outcomes) Pilot.
Sefa (Social Enterprise Finance Australia) launched a quarterly, informal drinks to give seasoned social entrepreneurs the chance to talk shop, and newbies the opportunity to build networks.
Luke Terry addressed the Brisbane City Council to thank them for their support in delivering SEWF 2022 this September.
Social Traders shared their position on how the Federal Government can build better futures through social enterprise procurement.
Impact Boom looked hire an Impact Education Program Manager.
Philanthropy Australia welcomed four new board members at its annual general meeting.
Professor Kristy Muir stepped into the acting CEO role at the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
The first global social enterprise census revealed its ‘one of the largest movements of our time’.
Social Enterprise National Strategy team (SENS) developed draft values and principles for the Australian social enterprise sector.
Key insights were released from the recent Social Enterprise World Forum 2022 Policy Forum, which focused on how to co-create better futures through advocating for effective social enterprise policies.
In a special collaboration between SENVIC and Just Gold, the inaugural Think Social featured guest speakers from the Victorian Government, Social Traders, B Corp, the Centre for Social Impact, and leading Victorian social enterprises.
In the lead-up to SEWF 2022, The Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) looks to uplift the sector through the power of storytelling.
With funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, The Xfactor Collective will create a Social Sector Wellbeing and Resilience Hub to provide both immediate support and long-term advocacy for improved mental health and wellbeing.
To drive more funding toward female-led startups, the NSW government announced plans to seed a $10 million VC fund to support female founders.
The Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List recognised 992 Australians, with more than 43 per cent acknowledging community service.
Social Traders seek a Social Procurement Adviser based in NSW.
Dr Gary Johns, Head of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, announced he will step down at the end of July.
Snow Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Social Enterprise National Strategy (SENS) finalised shared values and principles for the Australian social enterprise sector.
A first glimpse of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2022 program and speakers was revealed!
Impact North, the peak body for social enterprise in Northern Territory, launched a ‘Changemaker Series’ focused on some of the big questions in the world of operating a social enterprise.
Queensland Social Enterprise Council Ltd (QSEC) tries to get a better understanding of social enterprise in Far North Queensland in order to advocate and identify areas where support is needed.
Social Enterprise Council of NSW and ACT (SECNA) seeks an enthusiastic, dynamic and creative Digital Comms Lead.
The Paul Ramsay Foundation invites budding and existing social entrepreneurs to apply for a six-month residency at its new precinct for social purpose, Yirranma Place, in Sydney.
Social enterprises could be key to Western Australia’s economic diversification, but founders say more support is needed. Article behind paywall.
Victorian Government won Global Catalyst2030 Award in recognition of its support for social entrepreneurship as a means to achieve the SDGs.
Drawn from around the world, a new network of impact practitioners forms to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the planet.
NRMA became a cornerstone investor in a new, sustainability-focused agriculture and food technology venture fund backing startups focused on feeding the world.
Refugee Week took place, an annual celebration, informing the public about refugees and celebrating their contributions.
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 29 June 2022. If there’s something important we missed, let us know! Leave a comment or email us at enquiries@socialimpacthub.org.