Funding and investment

Actors in the funding and investment domain include:

• Social Enterprises

  A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business, but exist specifically to make the world a better place. Social enterprises can adopt a range of legal structures, identities, and play multiple roles, across different domains, in the ecosystem.

• Federal Government

  National-level government agencies and departments that determine social enterprise policy and funding.

• State Governments

  State and Territory-level government bodies that oversee regional social enterprise policies, development strategies, and regulations.

• Local Governments

  City or local-level authorities that have a specific influence on community-based social enterprises and localised initiatives.

• Philanthropists

  Foundations, trusts, and individual donors that provide grants and donations to support social causes.

• Impact investors

  Individuals and institutions that invest in social enterprises with the intention of generating both social and financial returns.

• Financial intermediaries

  Any institution or entity that facilitates the channelling of finance between the supply and demand-sides of a capital market. Includes banks, credit unions, crowdfunding platforms, and specialised financial organisations that offer tailored products and services for social enterprises.

• Corporations

  Large companies that engage with social enterprises through partnerships, procurement, investment, and corporate social responsibility programs.