Resource library

Leadership in Social Enterprise - How to Manage Yourself and the Team

Reports

This report by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship supports social enterprise leaders in tackling unique challenges like balancing social impact with commercial goals, managing diverse teams, and meeting stakeholder expectations. Grounded in global insights from interviews, case studies, and surveys, and developed with input from experienced social entrepreneurs, it offers practical, stage-specific guidance. Designed as a collaborative tool, it fosters knowledge sharing and equips leaders with strategies to drive mission-driven organisations effectively.

Learning Towards Zero - Learning in + from Practice in Systems Innovation

Guides

This Learnbook covers systems innovation. It shows how to shift from small improvements to deeper transformation. It explains how fixing problems in existing systems differs from redesigning those systems. You’ll find practical tools and examples to help achieve long-term, meaningful change.

Legacy: How to Build the Sustainable Economy

Videos

Dieter Helm’s video lecture series examines the steps needed for a sustainable economy, addressing polluter responsibility, resource maintenance, and investment, with detailed insights, downloadable slides, and an accompanying book.

Legal Structures for Social Enterprises – a nationwide conversation on law reform

Articles

This article outlines a national conversation led by the Australian Law Reform Commission on legal structures for social enterprises. It explores whether current laws support purpose-driven business models and invites input on how legal reform could better enable social enterprises to grow and deliver impact.

Lessons from Failure: Shaping Social Enterprises | Part 1

Webinars

This resource is currently being developed. If you would like to be notified when it is published, please email team@understorey.org.au.

Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System

White papers

This foundational paper by Donella Meadows introduces 12 leverage points within systems where small interventions can drive significant change. It highlights the potential of paradigm shifts in addressing complex challenges, while acknowledging the resistance systems often present to such transformations.

Making Embassy with Tyson Yunkaporta

First Nations

Podcasts

First Nations

Discover Tyson Yunkaporta’s concept of “making embassy,” which fosters respectful, reciprocal, and meaningful relationships between people, groups, and systems. Rooted in Indigenous cultural practices, it emphasises relationality, shared purpose, cultural respect, and adaptability. Explore how this dynamic approach creates spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and the intersection of diverse knowledge systems.

Managing the Managers: Nine Tips to Help Social Enterprises Build Outstanding Management Teams

Articles

This article shares practical tips for managing a social enterprise effectively. It covers leadership, financial discipline, team management, and staying focused on mission while running a sustainable business. The advice is designed to help social entrepreneurs balance impact goals with strong operational performance.

Managing volunteers

Guides

This Justice Connect guide outlines the key legal obligations organisations have towards volunteers. It provides practical examples, templates, and tips to help organisations navigate crucial areas, including the legal differences between volunteers, employees, and contractors; managing volunteer relationships; ensuring volunteer safety; addressing unlawful workplace behaviour; and handling intellectual property, privacy, and record-keeping issues.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Co-Design Hub

Platforms

The NDIS Co-Design Hub supports inclusive disability service design by involving people with disabilities and their families. It provides resources, case studies, and best practices to foster collaboration between participants, service providers, and policymakers.

National Employment Services Association (NESA)

Platforms

The National Employment Services Association (NESA) is Australia's peak body for employment services, advocating for systemic improvements, workforce development, and inclusive hiring. It supports employment practitioners and promotes job access for disadvantaged groups.

Nature on the board - an open source guide

Guides

This guide shares, in plain English, how Faith in Nature recognised the legal Rights of Nature within its organisational structures. Based in the UK, It sets out how they went about it and the changes made to their ‘Articles of Association’.

Nature positive business models

Articles

This online resource by Wedgetail brings together multiple examples of nature-positive business models being explored around the world.

Now we are all measuring impact

Articles

A rich introduction to the history of measurement and how different drivers have informed how we think about, and practice, impact measurement and evaluation today. Also includes some useful graphics that help distinguish different terms and approaches from each other.

Organising in Place and Working Across Altitudes

Webinars

Regen Labs and Regen Melbourne led an insightful webinar exploring how social enterprises can work across system layers, or "altitudes" to organise for place-based change. Using frameworks, real-world projects, and the concept of “altitude sickness,” the session offered practical tools to strengthen collaboration, coherence, and momentum in complex systems work.

Orienting Futures: Emerging Culturally and Ecologically Responsive Practice

Webinars

This resource is currently being developed. If you would like to be notified when it is published, please email team@understorey.org.au.

Our Community Development Framework – a First Nations Approach

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This resource is a practical guide from Community First Development that explains their First Nations approach to community development. It outlines a strengths-based framework shaped by culture, relationships and self-determination. The guide shows how communities can lead decisions, design local solutions and measure progress in ways that respect First Nations knowledge and value

Our Knowledge, Our Way – Indigenous Knowledge Guidelines

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

Our Knowledge, Our Way is a set of Indigenous-led best practice guidelines that show how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples strengthen and share their knowledge to care for land and sea Country. The resource highlights respectful ways of working with Indigenous knowledge and building partnerships that support cultural leadership, land management and collaborative decision-making across research and practice.

Outcomes funds: Explained

Guides

This guide explains what an outcomes fund is and how it works. An outcomes fund brings together funding from different sources and pays organisations based on the results they achieve. The guide outlines who is involved and how these funds are set up and managed.

Parliamentary Inquiry: Economic Self-Determination for First Nations Australians

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This government inquiry explores how to improve economic self-determination and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Led by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, the inquiry examines barriers and enablers for training, jobs, business growth, access to capital and economic leadership. It gathers evidence from experts, organisations and communities and makes recommendations to strengthen pathways for First Nations economic participation and decision-making.

'Part Discount Grocer, Part Social Connection: Defining Elements of Social Supermarkets', Centre for Social Impact

Reports

This research paper by the Centre for Social Impact Flinders explores social supermarkets as an innovative model for addressing food insecurity. Combining affordable food access with social support, these supermarkets move beyond traditional food relief by integrating dignity, choice, and community connection. The paper highlights how social supermarkets offer a comprehensive approach, including financial, emotional, and skill-building services, fostering long-term independence and resilience for clients.

Participatory Budgeting: Meaning, Benefits & A Step-by-Step Guide

Articles

This article introduces participatory budgeting, a democratic process empowering citizens to influence public fund allocation. It covers its origins in Porto Alegre, Brazil, outlines key stages, and highlights benefits like transparency, trust, and community empowerment, making it an ideal resource for those exploring the concept.

'Payment by Outcomes: Measuring the Effectiveness of Jobs-Focused Social Enterprises', Centre for Social Impact

Reports

This report by CSI Swinburne evaluates the Australian Government’s Payment by Outcomes (PBO) trial, which funds jobs-focused social enterprises based on employment outcomes. It assesses the impact on individuals facing work barriers, including those with disabilities, and explores the trial’s systemic and policy implications for employment services.

People and Planet First (PPF)

Platforms

People and Planet First is a participatory verification and a global collective that’s helping accelerate the transition to an economy that puts people and the planet first.

Permaculture Australia: Sustainable Living Through Design

Platforms

Permaculture Australia promotes sustainable living and growing practices through the principles of permaculture, tailored to Australia’s unique climate and ecosystems. The organisation provides education, training, and certification in permaculture design, supports local projects focused on food security and regenerative agriculture, and advocates for ecological and social resilience. By fostering self-sufficient, sustainable communities, Permaculture Australia helps communities work in harmony with the environment.

‘Pitching and fundraising’, Acumen Academy

Articles

The Acumen Academy offers free online courses and resources for social entrepreneurs. Their blog series on fundraising and pitching social enterprises provides valuable insights for changemakers seeking to refine their pitching skills and increase their chances of securing support and funding. 

Platform Cooperatives Toolkit

Platforms

The Platform Cooperatives Toolkit provides practical resources for building fair, worker-owned cooperatives in the digital economy. It includes step-by-step guides, case studies, and tools to promote equitable ownership and sustainable employment.

Power dynamics: A systemic inquiry

Articles

This blog delves into power through a systems change lens, emphasising its importance in tackling sustainability challenges. It redefines power as a relational dynamic rather than a static state, exploring shifts from “power over” to “power with” approaches. Key themes include privilege, systemic challenges like climate change and inequality, and the fractal nature of power across scales. Combining theoretical insights with practical strategies, it provides tools for minimising hierarchical power, fostering collaboration, and building capacity for transformative, inclusive decision-making.

Power Dynamics In Society Explained: Accelerate Your Business And Leadership Skills

Videos

This video examines how societal power dynamics—capitalism, patriarchy, and racism—shape behaviours, leadership, and business outcomes. It explores healing power structure wounds, aligning leadership with values, and empowering individuals through self-awareness and systemic change.

Prepare for Funding: The 4 Ps

Reports

This guide by Sefa (Social Enterprise Finance Australia) helps social enterprises get ready for funding. It explains four key areas to focus on: Purpose, Plan, Profit, and Prudence. It provides practical advice to strengthen strategy, financial planning and governance so organisations can confidently approach funders and investors.

Problem Framing Canvas Workbook

Guides

This handbook helps you clearly understand the problem your social enterprise or project is trying to solve. When you understand the real problem, it is easier to find better solutions. The canvas and guide include simple tools to help you define the problem, see different types of problems, and identify practical actions you can take.

Project Drawdown: The World’s Leading Resource for Climate Solutions

Reports

Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to identifying and scaling science-based solutions to combat climate change. Focused on equitable, safe, and effective approaches, the organisation conducts research, engages stakeholders, and promotes solutions to drive meaningful action. Through storytelling and collaboration, Project Drawdown shifts the narrative on climate change from despair to possibility, offering practical pathways for individuals and organisations to contribute to impactful climate action.

Radical Collaboration to Transform Social Systems

Articles

This article by Adam Kahane introduces ‘radical collaboration’ as a transformative approach to tackling systemic challenges. By integrating love, power, and justice, it fosters empathy, empowerment, and fairness among diverse stakeholders. This method aims to align differing interests and capacities, enabling inclusive and impactful systems change while navigating inherent tensions in collaboration.

Raise finance

Platforms

This guide explains how social enterprises can raise money beyond grants and donations by involving their community and members. It focuses on using a co-operative structure to attract investment, share ownership and build long-term financial support while staying true to social purpose.

Regen 101

Guides

Learn more about what regenerative agriculture is and how we can grow food in a way that gives back to people and the planet.

ReGeneration Rising

Podcasts

The ReGeneration Rising podcast, by RSA Oceania, explores regenerative approaches to redesigning communities, cities, and economies, fostering a thriving planet. Hosted by Dr Daniel Christian Wahl, it features renowned guests across two insightful series.

Relationships

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This resource from the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) examines the significance of relationships in First Nations governance. It covers cultural, community, and environmental connections, balancing roles, building trust, and fostering effective partnerships. The guide also explores allyship, network expansion, and practical strategies for creating balanced, respectful collaborations within Indigenous communities and beyond.

Remarkable Insights Podcast

Podcasts

The Remarkable Insights Podcast by Remarkable explores how disability drives innovation, featuring global pioneers in assistive tech and inclusive design. Hosted by Viv Mullan, each episode reveals how lived experience and creativity shape business, technology and social change

Riding the Tech Wave: How Charities Can Positively Engage with the Innovation Generation

Webinars

This article highlights how charities can connect with a new generation of tech founders who are becoming major donors in Australia. Drawing on the Australian Tech Giving Report, it explains how tech wealth is growing, why tech givers give differently, and how not-for-profits can adapt to engage them.

Roadmap to Social Impact - CSI

Guides

This thorough resource from Centre for Social Impact is a step by step guide to support you and your organisation through the process of outcomes measurement and evaluation.

Rural and Remote Funding to Deliver Social Impact

Webinars

This resource is currently being developed. If you would like to be notified when it is published, please email team@understorey.org.au.

SafeWork Australia

Other

SafeWork Australia offers resources for workplace health and safety, including psychosocial safety. Black Dog Institute supports mental health with free NSW training. Local SafeWork bodies, like SafeWork NSW, also provide helpful resources.

Seedkit

Platforms

Seedkit is a national project and online platform that helps social enterprises measure and share their impact. It allows organisations to track their work and results using simple dashboards and reports that can be customised to their needs.

Seed to Table

Podcasts

The Seed to Table podcast explores the stories of Australians working to revitalise our food and farming systems.

Self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

Self-determination is vital to the governance and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, enabling them to lead decision-making, exercise sovereignty, and build community-driven governance systems. This toolkit section outlines principles, pathways, and practical steps toward self-determination, including nation building, treaty processes, and sustainable development.

Service Design Tools: A Resource for Co-Creation and Innovation

Platforms

Service Design Tools is an open-access platform offering methods and templates for designing user-centered services. With tools spanning research, ideation, and implementation, it supports collaboration and co-creation across diverse contexts like healthcare, education, and social innovation. Suitable for both beginners and experienced designers, the platform provides resources to facilitate inclusive and impactful service development.

Seven Transformations of Leadership

Articles

This framework categorises leadership into seven stages, from Opportunist to Alchemist, reflecting increasing complexity and transformative impact. Each stage highlights unique approaches to challenges, relationships, and organisational goals. Leaders can progress through feedback, self-reflection, and embracing new responsibilities, with growth beyond the Achiever stage requiring deep self-awareness and the ability to challenge assumptions. Teams led by Strategists are most adaptable, benefiting from diverse perspectives and innovation to navigate complex challenges and drive organisational transformation effectively.

She Gives: Growing Women's Giving in Australia

Reports

This national research report from She Gives explores how women in Australia engage in giving and philanthropy. It highlights trends, motivations, barriers, and opportunities, offering insights for organisations seeking to better understand and engage women as donors and changemakers within the impact economy.

Silver Ball Social Innovations: Warrnambool

Podcasts

Silver Ball Social Innovations: Warrnambool is a new podcast commissioned by the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations. It spotlights six local social enterprises creating lasting community impact. Through uplifting and inspiring stories, the series showcases grassroots innovation, creativity and connection across Warrnambool’s social enterprise ecosystem.

Social enterprise guide

Guides

This guide from Justice Connect helps social enterprises understand their legal responsibilities. It covers choosing a legal structure, setting up governance, meeting compliance requirements, and managing day-to-day operations. The guide supports organisations at different stages of development to make informed legal decisions.