We are running a webinar on Finance Solutions for jobs-focused social enterprises and we would love for you to come. If you don’t know us, White Box Enterprises has been established to enable jobs focussed social enterprises to grow and scale. One of the ways that we do this is by working with social enterprises to identify ways in which finance can support growth.

Finance Solutions isn’t necessarily about your organisation taking on finance, we adopt creative approaches to find solutions that fit the problem. This could involve a group of investors buying a property to house social enterprises on appropriate terms; raising capital against contracts won; or financing a social enterprise to buy an existing business, or…

Even if this isn’t on your agenda right now, please take the time to get someone along from your organisation to understand how it could benefit your organisation when the need/opportunity arises.

The webinar will hear from the White Box Finance CIO, a case study of the soon to be opened Social Enterprise Hub in Braybrook and time for QnA from the audience.

Details

Finance Solutions Webinar

Thursday 31 March

11am -12pm AEDT 

No cost.

Registrations https://events.humanitix.com/finance-solutions-for-social-enterprise

TELL YOUR STORY!

Calling all grassroots non-profits and social enterprises helping Queenslanders in need!  We're so excited to announce that TFN Live will take place in Brisbane on Thursday 26 May, generously hosted by Clayton Utz. We’d love to hear from grassroots non-profits and social enterprises that are running innovative programs to support Queenslanders experiencing disadvantage. Three finalists – as chosen by an independent selection panel – will receive professional coaching and the chance to deliver a pitch to an audience of 100+ guests at an exciting virtual live crowdfunding event to raise an estimated $20,000 each. A big thank you to the Morgans Foundation, who will generously provide matched funding on the night. This event is also supported by Deloitte and the Queensland Community Foundation. Applications close Thursday 24 March – apply now! If you have any questions about your application, get in touch.

APPLY HERE

NEW TO TFN LIVE EVENTS?

Check out the video below for a snapshot of how our events work and the unforgettable experience you're up for!

EVENT DETAILS

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5.30pm (6pm start) - 8.30pm AEST Thursday 26 May 2022 Clayton Utz 71 Eagle Street Brisbane

EVENT PARTNERS

Web version

Our hearts go out members who have been impacted by the recent floods. Some are asking...."What can our social enterprise community do to help?" 1. Our QSEC team has assembled some handy sites to assist below. We will update these on the Forum over the next few days.  2. Members should sign in to the portal on the QSEC website and visit the FORUMS. If you have an "ask" in the clean up or an "offer" for support, you can add it to the forum. We will help match your needs with the opportunities from our community.  3. Consider signing up for the Mud Army, the Care Army or a number of other volunteer sites through the Emergency Volunteering Qld site. This will make sure you are integrated through an official platform to be deployed to people who need support in the community. More information to come. REMEMBER IF IT'S FLOODED FORGET IT!

Hope St Cafe in West End

As the flood waters recede, if you are helping to clean up, here are some tips you need to remember:  Wear Protective Gear: There are lots of contaminants in flood waters. You must wear gloves, proper shoes/boots, masks and goggles to keep out the nasties... Remove the Water: Buckets, mops and shovels will help to clear away the moisture and debris, and you may need to remove wall coverings and carpets which can harbour mould and contaminants. Toss and Sanitise: Anything that has come in contact with the flood water poses a significant risk to human health. Local councils will be in contact for clean out rules and processes. Many council run kerb-side pick ups to support. Then clean every hard surface with heavy-duty bleach/sanitiser. Airing out: Make sure the area is fully aired out. Using industrial fans can help speed that process.  Get Help: Have a look at the resources below and on the QSEC member forum. You can post your ask and also respond to an offer made by members.  Take Photos and Keep Your Receipts: Keep receipts for the professional services you have engaged. This will help you claim on business insurance or emergency payments. Take photos (especially with date stamps) to help with damage verification to provide information to grant and fund providers.

If you know a business (or are a business) impacted by the recent heavy rain and flooding across SEQ let them know CCIQ has opened up its HR and Export Helplines for free in the next week - a good opportunity to get some support if needed in these areas.

Prevent, prepare, respond and recover when disaster strikes

Use these resources to prevent, prepare, respond, recover and communicate so you can get back to business sooner when disaster hits.

GO TO SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER HUB 

Emergency hardship assistance The Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant is available as a contribution to support people directly impacted by a disaster to who are unable to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation. If deemed eligible, applicants may receive $180 per person up to $900 for a family of 5 or more. The grant is initially available to claim for 7 days following the activation of the grant in your area. Emergency Hardship Assistance is not income or asset tested. To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following criteria: live or are stranded in the targeted activation zone have suffered hardship as a result of the event are unable to meet your immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation. You are not eligible for this grant if you are claiming: business loss or damage including compensation for loss of income farm or property damage (excluding principal place of residence) loss of tools of trade loss of power/ essential services to your home (you may be eligible for an Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant if the loss is for greater than 5 days) . isolation within property. How to apply online via the Community Recovery Portal by phoning the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or by visiting a Community Recovery Hub (when open) Federal Government Support  Queenslanders in communities impacted by the unfolding flooding disaster across the state’s South East can apply for Commonwealth financial support from Monday 28 February. The Morrison Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child to support people impacted by the South East Queensland flooding event that began on 22 February. The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment and is available to eligible people in those affected local government areas who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury. Eligible Queenslanders in the local government areas of Gympie and North Burnett can claim support via myGov or by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66 from 1pm Queensland time tomorrow (28 February). We are closely monitoring the flood emergency and we expect further Commonwealth assistance to be extended to other impacted regions and local government areas as the flood impact is known. Australian Defence Force personnel continue to support the emergency response efforts and will do more once the water recedes and the recovery effort starts. The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will also be provided into the affected local government areas in Gympie and north Burnett, with further flood affected local government areas expected to be added in coming days, as the damage becomes clear. The DRA assists employees, small business persons and farmers who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster. You might be eligible for a maximum of 13 weeks payment from the date you have or will have a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster. The DRA is taxable. Services Australia’s Disaster Assistance phone line (180 22 66) is available for those who are unable to claim online from 1pm Queensland time tomorrow, Monday 28 February. For more information on support available, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster https://www.pm.gov.au/media/commonwealth-financial-assistance-queensland-flood-victims

Disaster Assistance Loans Under the DRFA, affected businesses can access a Disaster Assistance Loan of up to $250,000 over up to 10 years. These loans are intended to assist businesses in re-establishing normal operations, and can be used for repairing or replacing damaged equipment, repairing or replacing buildings or meeting rent and rates requirements. Loans under this scheme must be secured by a mortgage of land, or by another asset deemed satisfactory by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA). Find out more information on the Disaster Assistance Loans here Essential Working Capital Loans Businesses can also access loans of up to $100,000 over up to 10 years to cover working capital expenses. These expenses could include paying salaries or wages; paying rent or rates; paying creditors; and buying good essential to running the business, such as fuel. These loans must also be secured by a mortgage of land, or by another asset deemed satisfactory by the QRIDA. Find out more about Essential Working Capital Loans here.

2022’s a big year for the social enterprise sector. With the first Social Enterprise National Strategy well underway, excitement is building for September’s Brisbane-based Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) with things kicking off next month with the (Re)Purpose event. 

Read Full article....

Since the Queensland Social Enterprise Council conducted the Annual Member Survey in 2021, the next wave of COVID has struck across Australia and the state, leaving businesses dealing with a legacy of unresolved issues from previous restrictions and mini lockdowns.

Take a look at our January Check-In Report

Social Enterprise in Brisbane | Brisbane City Council

Social Enterprise in Brisbane

Brisbane City Council is committed to the advancement of social enterprises. These programs are in addition to existing business initiatives, which are all part of building Australia’s most business-friendly city.

Stronger Social Enterprises: Business Coaching

Council is committed to advancing the development of Brisbane social enterprises.

In 2022, Council is continuing to fund one-on-one business coaching to assist established social enterprises to grow and develop their business model. 

Applications are now open. Submit your application before midnight on Sunday 20 February 2022.

Prominence Consulting will provide 14 established social enterprises up to 11-hours of tailored one-on-one business coaching from 7 March to June 2022.

Business coaching is a collaborative two-way relationship between a business and a professional coach, to help in progressing a key goal or goals that are important for the development and success of the business. The coach’s role is to provide the guidance, support and accountability you need to help you set and move through your goals, allowing you to take your business from where it is to where you want it to be.

Prominence Consulting has provided business coaching since 2003 and has extensive experience in tackling business problems for small businesses, not-for-profits, social enterprises and large organisations in an efficient and fit-for-purpose way. The coaching can focus on a range of areas including:

• business operating model
• marketing and communication
• business improvement and cost reduction
• supply chain and quality
• human resources and industrial relations
• ICT/digital transformation
• tenancy negotiations
• business strategy and risk management
• maximising social return on investment (SROI).

The program

• Up to 11-hours of business coaching for each successful social enterprise from 7 March to June 2022.
• Targeted and tailored, one-on-one business coaching, focusing on the areas that will be most beneficial to you/your business within the coaching time available.
• Depending on the goals you set, this program will require approximately 20 hours of your dedicated time for the duration of the program to participate in both the one-on-one coaching sessions and enable you to complete agreed activities/tasks between coaching sessions.
• Building on the work achieved during the coaching sessions, your coach will work with you so that you have an action plan for you to carry forward into the future. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible to apply for business coaching, a social enterprise must:

• be physically located within the Brisbane City Council Local Government Area
• have been trading for a minimum of two years
• derive most of its income from trade, not donations or grants
• use a portion of its profits to work towards its social mission
• be able to dedicate approximately 20 hours of your time for the coaching sessions and agreed activities/tasks. 

Process and timeframes

Council will assess applications and select the social enterprises that will receive business coaching in consultation with Prominence Consulting.

Council will notify applicants of the outcome of their application by 4 March 2022.

Business coaching will be conducted from 7 March to June 2022. Actual timing for each session will be agreed between the business and the coach on an as need basis.

The Pro Bono Impact 25 awards recognise the impact and change makers of our times. 

There is an incredible group of leaders nominated for this year's awards. Click below to cast your vote!

https://www.impact25.probonoaustralia.com.au/

The Refinery is a creative incubator designed to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.

A testing ground and training platform, The Refinery connects the dots between creativity and business, with access to mentors and a network of inspiring industry leaders sharing real time knowledge. 

Working both online and from select venues on the Sunshine Coast, including The Met Maroochydore, 15 participants come together once a week for 15 weeks, culminating in a public showcase event. 

The Refinery presents weekly programmed sessions covering business strategy, market analysis, economic models and connects collaborators and investors to bring ideas to market.

​Participants will also get mentoring from leading industry professionals, provide support to each other via a digital platform and gain access to online learning modules which cover the fundamentals of turning an idea into impact.

Connect online  as we announce 4.0 Mentors and public events in 2022. 

https://www.therefinerysunshinecoast.com/

Webinar Registration

Topic

BOOST SUPPLY: State of Social Procurement webinar series (1 hr)

Description

Part 2 of the State of Social Procurement in Australia and New Zealand webinar series asks how can government, intermediaries and the private sector work together to support capacity and capability of benefit suppliers?

Time

Feb 10, 2022 01:00 PM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Are you a Community Development Legend looking to tackle your next project within an exciting, challenging and engaging new role? Then this is the role for you!

With a passion for the diverse social enterprise sector, you will work with a dedicated team in the heart of Brisbane's CBD to build systems and deliver programs which aim to grow the social enterprise sector in Queensland.

Some of your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate the development and implementation of the social enterprise ecosystem
• Engage and build strong relationships with stakeholders, including social entrepreneurs, sector leaders, volunteers, contractors, and relevant industry partners
• Work closely with the CEO and team to manage project resources and activities
• Lead regional event planning across key regional areas
• Build community development systems for the growth of the sector
• Process mapping and program designs
• Working within tight budgetary restraints

Ideally the successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in a community development role
• Knowledge of social enterprise
• Strong stakeholder engagement background
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Inventive, innovative, and creative approach
• Strong IT proficiency
• Project management and community facilitation skills
• Ability to travel as required

CLICK HERE TO GO TO SEEK.com

This role will be on a fixed term contract directly with our client for the duration of this 18-month project. This is a Part Time role working 4 days per week.