Resource library

‘The Best Startup Investor Pitch Deck’, J. Skyler Fernandes

Guides

This is a useful guide and template for creating effective investor presentations. It combines crowd-sourced input from top industry experts and the author’s personal experience. It also shares examples, practical design tips and strategies for addressing investor concerns.

'The Collective Impact Toolkit', Tamarack Institute

E-books

The Collective Impact Toolkit by the Tamarack Institute provides practical resources to help communities and organisations tackle complex social challenges through collaboration. It offers frameworks, tools, and case studies to support systemic change.

The Community Investment Handbook

Guides

The Community Investment Handbook is a guide for communities and practitioners on establishing cooperatives to meet local needs, raise funds, and build circular economies within the framework of national legislation.

'The Community Well', Benefolk Foundation

Platforms

The Community Well, also known as the Social Sector Wellbeing and Resilience Hub, is an online resource designed to support charities, not-for-profits, and social enterprises. Created to address stress and burnout in the social sector, it offers curated tools, practical strategies, and advocacy for systemic change, fostering sustainable mental health and resilience practices.

'The Complexity Spectrum', Rob Ricigliano

Articles

Systems change offers a way to address complex social issues like poverty and homelessness by moving beyond traditional, linear problem-solving. This blog contrasts ‘clock’ problems, which are solvable with structured solutions, with ‘cloud’ problems, requiring ongoing adaptations. It emphasises the need to shift from quick fixes to fostering resilience, healing relationships, and supporting long-term system health to address deep-rooted challenges effectively.

'The Cynefin Framework - A Leader's Framework for Decision Making and Action', David Snowden

Videos

The Cynefin Framework guides leaders in matching actions to context by distinguishing different domains. It enables sense-making, helping leaders identify true complexity and respond effectively to challenges.

'The DIY Toolkit', NESTA

Guides

NESTA is an independent charity based in the United Kingdom that works to increase innovation capacity in the UK. They have developed this toolkit to help people invent, adopt, or adapt ideas that can deliver impact. It features 30 practical social innovation tools that are quick to use and simple to apply.

'The Field Guide to Human-Centred Design', IDEO

E-books

IDEO is a global design agency known for its human-centred approach. This Field Guide to Human-Centred Design represents how IDEO thinks about design for social impact. It includes 57 clear-to-use design methods for new and experienced practitioners, plus case studies.

The Funding Centre

Platforms

The Funding Centre is a portal providing information on grants and fundraising in Australia. It is an initiative of Our Community, a social enterprise that provides advice, tools and training for Australia’s community sector, as well as services for business and government.

‘The future of management is teal’, Frederic Laloux

Articles

Frederic Laloux's article explores Teal organisations, a progressive management model emphasising self-management, wholeness, and purpose. It outlines organisational paradigms, highlights successful examples, and offers insights for social enterprises to balance purpose and effectiveness, even with partial adoption.

'The Governance of Social Enterprises', Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

Guides

This guidebook, made by and for social entrepreneurs, covers building effective boards to balance social mission with financial goals. It includes advice on governance structures, board composition, recruitment, roles, and managing conflicts, highlighting how governance needs evolve as social enterprises grow.

'The Illustrated Guide to Participatory City', Britton and Anderson

Guides

This guide introduces the Participatory City model, designed to create vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods through active resident engagement in practical projects. It offers principles, methods, and insights for addressing social challenges and building community resilience, serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, community leaders, and organisations.

'The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas', Ursula K LeGuin

E-books

Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas explores ethical dilemmas, moral boundaries, and collective responsibility. This powerful story serves as a lens for leaders facing difficult choices between systemic stability and moral courage, prompting reflection on individual rights, collective good, and principled action.

Theory of Change: Framework for Social Impact from SoPact

Videos

This video offers an alternative framework for creating a Theory of Change. It’s led by Chris Gaines from SoPact, a US-based social enterprise.

‘The ReGeneration Rising’, RSA Oceania

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.

The RegenNarration Podcast: Stories of Ecological Regeneration

Podcasts

The RegenNarration Podcast showcases inspiring stories of ecological regeneration and community resilience, featuring leaders in conservation, sustainable farming, and Indigenous land management. Through interviews with activists, scientists, and community leaders, the podcast explores innovative approaches to sustainability and regenerative practices. It offers practical insights and resources, empowering individuals and communities to contribute to environmental regeneration and build a more resilient future.

'The Social Entrepreneur's Playbook', MacMillan and Thompson (2013)

Books

This is a paid resource. Written by Ian C. MacMillan and James D. Thompson and published in 2013 the book provides a step-by-step framework for launching and scaling a successful social enterprise, drawing on the authors' extensive experience in entrepreneurship and social innovation.

'The State of Social Enterprise 2024', World Economic Forum

Reports

This report shows social enterprises, led 50% by women, make up 3% of global businesses, generating $2 trillion revenue and 200 million jobs across 80+ countries.

'The Water of Systems Change', FSG

Reports

This framework highlights how to create sustainable social impact by addressing systemic factors that maintain social and environmental challenges. It introduces three levels of systems change—structural, relational, and transformative—emphasising the importance of shifting policies, power dynamics, and deep-seated beliefs. By engaging at all levels, organisations can drive meaningful, lasting change that is resilient, inclusive, and adaptable.

Think Neurodivergence: Autistic Pride and Entrepreneurship

Webinars

Just Gold held an interactive webinar to share insights and lived experiences from autistic social entrepreneurs and encourage the social enterprise sector to create inclusive, affirming environments for neurodiverse thinking and practice.

'Three Horizons Framework', Bill Sharpe

Videos

The ‘Three Horizons Framework’, developed by Bill Sharpe, is a strategic tool for managing long-term transformation. It maps three phases of change—current systems (Horizon 1), visionary futures (Horizon 3), and the transition zone (Horizon 2)—helping organisations navigate innovation and address emerging challenges. Widely used in future thinking and strategic planning, the framework offers practical steps for bridging the present with transformative visions.

'Transformational Ethical Storytelling (T.E.S.T.)', Our Race

Guides

Discover T.E.S.T., an anti-oppressive framework for ethical storytelling that prioritises the rights and needs of all individuals. T.E.S.T. empowers Story Holders to control their narratives while providing Story Caretakers with principles to ensure safe, ethical storytelling. Explore related resources, including guides and an ethical storytelling video, to deepen your understanding.

‘Understanding Power Dynamics in Society Explained’, Julia Cha

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.

Unlocking Social Procurement Opportunities: Two-part workshop series | workshop 1

Webinars

QSEC, ArcBlue and Gov Ready held an interactive webinar exploring what it means for social enterprises to be procurement ready. Drawing on experience across government and private sector procurement, the session shared practical strategies to help social enterprises position themselves effectively, communicate their value, and demonstrate capability.

Unpacking the Social Economy

Webinars

Co-operative Bonds held an informative webinar exploring how social enterprises and co-operatives contribute to the broader social and solidarity economy. The session unpacked global developments, local examples, and practical tools for embedding co-operative values into governance, community ownership, and sustainable business models.

'Using the Business Model Canvas for Social Enterprise Design', Ingrid Burkett

Guides

This booklet goes beyond the Business Model Canvas as a general tool. It outlines how Ingrid Burkett, an Australian social entrepreneur, applies the Canvas to the specific needs of social enterprise. The booklet walks you through how to use the Canvas step-by-step.

'Ventures at the Helm', Budzyna et al.

Guides

This report provides an excellent guide to developing impact measurement and management strategies. Critically, it advocates for enterprises adopting different strategies depending on their stage of development versus a one-size-fits-all approach.

Voices on Work: Young People with Disability in Greater Melbourne

Reports

This report by SVA and CYDA explores the employment experiences of young people with disability in Greater Melbourne. It highlights barriers, workplace challenges, and opportunities for creating inclusive and meaningful employment pathways.

Web3 for 2030: How Can Web3 Help Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?, UNDP, 2022

Reports

This UNDP report examines how Web3 technologies like blockchain and decentralised finance can drive social innovation and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides an accessible overview of Web3, highlights its potential for systemic change in areas like finance and governance, and addresses key adoption challenges, including digital exclusion and environmental concerns.

Wellbeing Matters Guide

Guides

The "Wellbeing Matters Guide" offers insights from social enterprise leaders, particularly in regional, rural, and remote areas. It provides resources to support leaders in enhancing their wellbeing and effectiveness by sharing real-life experiences.

What does Truth-telling for Social Change Look Like?

Webinars

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

What is a social enterprise?

Other

A social enterprise is a business that puts people and the planet first. They trade like any other business but exist specifically to make the world a better place.

'What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?', Harvard Professional and Executive Education

Articles

This blog introduces the concept of ethical leadership, where decisions prioritise integrity, societal impact, and the common good. It outlines six key principles—respect, accountability, service, honesty, justice, and community—that foster trust, equity, and collaboration in leadership practices.

‘What Is Psychological Safety?', McKinsey

Articles

Psychological safety is crucial for innovation, teamwork, and organisational success. This article highlights its role in fostering inclusive and high-performing cultures. It outlines leadership strategies to build trust, such as open dialogue, curiosity, and equitable participation. Learn how consultative, supportive, and challenging leadership styles enhance team resilience, creativity, and productivity, particularly in remote and hybrid work environments.

What Will It Take? Creating Better, More Sustainable Jobs for Young People

Reports

This report by Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and AEN, with analysis by PwC Consulting, examines barriers to youth employment in Australia. It explores employer challenges, systemic issues, and solutions to improve career pathways for young people, particularly those outside university pathways.

'Where good ideas come from', Steven Johnson

Videos

Steven Johnson is an innovation thinker and writer. In this video, he outlines the main ideas from his book: 'Where do good ideas come from?' He shares recurring patterns he has noticed that are present in historical times of great creativity and innovation.

'Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organisations, and How to Become One', Harvard Business Review

Articles

This article explores inclusive leadership, which fosters belonging, psychological safety, and respect within diverse teams. It highlights six traits—commitment, humility, bias awareness, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration—demonstrating how inclusive leaders drive team performance, decision-making, and collaboration through consistent behaviours.

'Why the Lean Start-up Changes Everything', Steve Blank (Harvard Business Review, 2013)

Articles

This is a pivotal article by entrepreneur and educator Steve Blank, published in the Harvard Business Review in 2013. The article introduces the lean startup methodology, which emphasises rapid experimentation, customer feedback, and iterative product development.

Wisdom & Action

Podcasts

The Wisdom & Action Podcast by Small Giants Academy features host Berry Liberman in dialogue with global thinkers, exploring how to transform wisdom into meaningful interventions that address systemic challenges and shape a hopeful future.

'Your Guide to Making an Excellent Investor Pitch Deck', Vinay Kevadiya

Articles

This short blog focuses on developing a pitch deck for ventures seeking funding. It shares practical tips, a template to structure your pitch as well as common questions. Since it’s from a conventional business perspective you’ll need to consider where your impact proposition should be included.