council
Seed funding
Many social enterprises face barriers to start-up due to limited access to funds to assist them through the early stages of development. To help address this issue, in 2006 PCC created the Community Capacity Building Social Enterprise category within its Community Grants program (see the Community Grants program page for further information on the program, including the timing of funding rounds).
Other potential funding sources that may prove useful to social enterprises include:
- The Westpac Foundation - focus is on creating and sustaining social enterprises in disadvantaged communities
- GROW Sydney ACC - assists with accessing funding, including through the Federal Regional Partnerships Program
- National Australia Bank – micro-enterprise loans
- NSW Office of Fair Trading - Co-operatives Development Grants Program - Co-operatives incorporated under the Co-operatives Act 1992 or enterprises/groups wishing to determine the benefits or appropriateness of registering as a co-operative under the Act can apply
- Department of Veteran’s Affairs - Veteran & Community Grants - seed funding for projects that are able to become financially viable and sustainable.
- Property Industry Foundation – supports youth homelessness related programs.
- Workplace.gov.au’s wage assistance program - payment given to Australian employers as an incentive to employ Indigenous Australians on an on-going basis.
*Please note that Parramatta City Council in no way endorses any of these organisations or their activities. This listing is provided for information purposes only.
We aim to add to this list over time, as further potential funding sources for social enterprises are identified and develop. Please email Joanne McNeill if you are aware of any other sources that could be listed here.
Parramatta City Council’s Social Enterprise Grants
Under the new structure for the Community Grants program $75 000 per annum is available in the social enterprise category, and organisations can apply for up to $10 000 per annum for one, two or three years.
The focus of the category is primarily to assist organisations undertake the prepatory work required to establish a social enterprise, such as feasibility studies and developing strategic and/or marketing plans.
Assistance is available to organisations and individuals interested in applying for a social enterprise grant. Please feel welcome to contact Joanne McNeill at any stage during the year and at any stage of your concept development (including ‘first thoughts’!) to discuss.
Applicants to the social enterprise category of PCC’s grants program are encouraged to participate in Parramatta Social Enterprise Hub activities including, in some cases, applying to the Accelerator.
Funded enterprises - round 2, 2008
Assessment of the second round was completed in May 2008 and the following organisations/projects received funding in the social enterprise category:
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Igbo Association of NSW, Igbo Community Co-operative
aiming to provide training and employment pathways for members of the Igbo community through the establishment of a community trading enterprise providing Nigerian and other African products. Stage two funding to assist with the implementation phase of the project.
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Circus Solarus Festival Entertainment, Solarus Festival Factory
aiming to grow and stabilise existing operations and provide sustainable employment opportunities for local artists through the establishment of a festival production space in Parramatta that will specialise in community events that build social capital and connectedness. Stage two funding to assist with the implementation phase of the project.
Circus Solarus Festival Entertainment
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Bicycle Recycling Network
existing voluntary venture aiming to grow into a social enterprise model that provides training and employment opportunities for marginalised people in an environmentally sustainable enterprise through recycling bicycles. Funded for one year to prepare a business plan on the concept.
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SEVA Inc, Cooperative Enterprise of South Asian Women
aiming to establish a cooperative enterprise to provide employment opportunities for local women in the South Asian community who are currently marginalised and economically disadvantaged. Funded for one year to research a number of potential enterprise concepts and prepare a business plan on the chosen approach. - SEVA inc
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Parramatta Clay & Arts Cooperative
aiming to meet the needs of local ceramic artists and students by establishing a studio and gallery space, and to deliver low-cost ceramics-based programs to disadvantaged community members in partnership with local community sector organisations. Funded for one year to prepare a business plan on the concept.
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African Food Project
aiming to grow and sell African vegetables to provide traditional foods to local African communities and wider audiences, and to create employment opportunities and skill development for recently arrived migrants. Funded for one year to prepare a business plan on the concept.
Funded enterprises - round 1, 2007
In the first round (announced July 2007) the following organisations/projects received funding in the social enterprise category:
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Council of Australian Palestinians, Matbakh Sitty
aiming to establish atraditional Palestinian food catering enterprise, eventually expanding into a coffees shop. Funded for three years to fully scope the concept - including undertaking a business plan, marketing plan and training components – and commence establishment. -
Igbo Association of NSW, Igbo Community Co-operative
aiming to provide training and employment pathways for members of the Igbo community through the establishment of a community trading enterprise providing Nigerian and other African products. Funded for one year to undertake a business plan on the concept. -
Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), Social Enterprise Incubator
aiming to develop a social enterprise component to its existing operations and also formalise its incubator role with artists from marginalised communities who are working towards becoming self-sustaining. Funded for one year to undertake a feasibility study on the concept. Has also been successful in entering the Parramatta Information & Cultural Exchange - Social Enterprise Hub Accelerator, commencing in March 2008. -
Circus Solarus Festival Entertainment, Solarus Festival Factory
aiming to grow and stabilise existing operations and provide sustainable employm ent opportunities for local artists through the establishment of a festival p roduction space in Parramatta that will specialise in community events that build social capital and connectedness. Funded for one year to undertake a business plan on the concept.- Circus Solarus Festival Entertainment
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YWCA NSW Parramatta, Yummy Catering
aiming to strengthen and grow fledgling training and catering social enterprise that is providing services in the Parramatta area. Funded for one year to undertake a marketing plan for the enterprise.
