Funding and investment
Allocation of financial capital to social enterprises through various instruments such as grants, loans, equity investments, and impact investing.
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.
-1.png)
We’d love to hear from you!
Understorey is shaped by the people and organisations across Australia. Have suggestions, ideas or resources to share? Get in touch and help us make Understorey more useful, relevant and accessible for everyone.
Get in touch