Released 08/12/2023
The ACT Government has established a new pilot program to support Canberra’s growing social enterprise ecosystem.
Social enterprises are businesses that have a social, cultural or environmental purpose consistent with public or community benefit.
In the ACT there are approximately 180 social enterprises supporting over 3,000 jobs and contributing $318.5 million to the local economy.
The Territory’s progressive values provide the right environment for growth in this business sector.
We have established the ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program to support new social enterprises to start up, and help existing social enterprises to take the next step in their business journey.
The delivery of social enterprise grants was an action highlighted in the ACT Small Business Strategy 2023-2026, to help small businesses thrive.
The Mill House Ventures, a Canberra social enterprise advisory intermediary, will deliver the grant program on behalf of the ACT Government.
The program will offer between $10,000 to $30,000 in matched funding for a range of activities, including product development, business planning, training programs, marketing activities, resources and website development or upgrades.
We know Canberra is brimming with a community of entrepreneurs who want to create social change, live sustainably, and build inclusion and equity into our social fabric.
Applications for the ACT Social Enterprise Grants Program are now open and close Friday 19 January 2024.
For more information go to: www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/economic-development/business-and-innovation/act-social-enterprise-grant-program
Quotes attributable to Craig Fairweather, CEO at The Mill House Ventures:
The Mill House Ventures is proud to have been selected to administer the pilot ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program by the ACT Government.
It is a vital step to supporting the sustainability and growth of this nascent, but critically important, business sector.
Establishing an enterprise with the purpose of addressing or minimising a social, community or environmental problem has added complexity and requires specific support.
Adequate funding allows social enterprises to expand their operations, reach more beneficiaries, have a larger positive impact on the community or environment they serve and creates a more inclusive economy.
The Mill House Ventures is a Canberra-based social enterprise advisory intermediary that works with businesses across the Territory that seek to trade for purpose. We deliver accelerator and incubator business programs for local start-up social entrepreneurs as well as growth programs and business support activities to assist their sustainability when up and trading.
Since we were established in 2016 here in Canberra, The Mill House Ventures has consulted with over 300 community and for-profit venture founders to achieve defined and lasting social, cultural, economic, or environmental impact.
Notable alumni include Altina Drinks, Kulture Break, Little Luxton, Jazida Productions, The Climate Factory, Easy Read Toolbox, Café Stepping Stone and GetAboutAble.
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Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases