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
• Community Builders fund – NSW Department of Communities program aiming to strengthen and build capacity in communities in particular regions of NSW (including Parramatta). This program replaces the previous Area Assistance Scheme
• Jobs Fund – part of the Federal Government’s stimulus package, aims to support and create jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure.
• Innovation Fund – Federal Government program aiming to address the needs of the most disadvantaged job seekers through funding projects that will foster innovative solutions to overcome barriers to employment which these job seekers face
• 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.

There are also a range of programs that provide wage assistance or subsidy for various groups of employees or potential employees. Depending on the focus, some of these may be relevant to various social enterprises.

We aim to add to this list over time, as further potential funding sources for social enterprises are identified and develop.

Congratulations go to local social enterprise Mars Hill Café for its success in the first round of the Federal Government’s Jobs Fund. The $368 100 grant will allow Mars Hill Café to expand and strengthen its operations.

*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.

Parramatta City Council’s Social Enterprise Grants

In the Social Enterprise category of PCC’s Community Grants program $75 000 per annum is available to assist local social enterprises. Applicants can apply for up to $10 000 per annum for one, two or three years. See the Community Grants page for more information, including on the timing of the rounds.

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.

Successful applicants to the social enterprise category of PCC’s grants program are required to participate in  Parramatta Social Enterprise Hub activities to support their work.

Social Investment collaboration

Social investment is an emerging but still limited field of activity in Australia. As development in this area progresses it will open up new and different funding channels for establishing and growing social enterprises.

Kylie Charlton - the Heloise Waislitz Fellow for 2009 at Swinburne’s Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment - is researching and promoting the uptake of profit generating investment for social and environmental good in the Australian context. PCC assisted by sourcing several Parramatta-based social enterprises to contribute to her work by acting as ‘real-life’ case studies.