Sustainability and Community

Useful resources

Links to a number of websites which provide resources to further develop your social enterprise and the capacity of your not for profit organisation.

Organisational Tools and Training

• Westpac Helping Community Organisations offers business & finance tools, training and specialised solutions to help community groups improve their operational effectiveness
• Westpac Social Sector Banking offers not-for-profit organisations, charities, associations, single-interest and community groups a customised range of banking solutions, dedicated Social Sector Bankers and free education guides
• Westpac Financial Education offers not-for-profit organisations discounts off the standard fee for each of its interactive workshops which cover a range of both personal and business financial management concepts
• Brotherhood of St Laurence Community Enterprise Development Initiative includes case studies and resource kits for those operating or developing a community/social enterprise
• School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia runs year-long programs to support entrepreneurial individuals to establish effective, sustainable community projects and initiatives that meet social and community needs
• Centre for Social Impact operates out of the University of Sydney and provides information and executive courses on social enterprise
• Inviting Investment in Social Enterprise (890 kb): A Prospectus Framework for the Social Sector developed by the R.E.Ross Trust, this Prospectus Framework has been developed to assist enterprises in the nonprofit sector to reach an expanded range of potential investors in their important work
• University of Technology Not-for-Profit Sector Management Development Program this Short Course enables participants to learn and refresh with a range of management techniques and skills which they can use in their organisation
• Australian Scholarships Foundation provides free or discounted executive management, mentoring and training programs in a range of management disciplines to officers and staff of not-for-profit organisations.

Support Agencies

• Social Ventures Australia (SVA) works with innovative non-profit organisations to increase their growth and impact to drive social change.
• Social Traders is an independent social enterprise development company that funds research and raises awareness of the potential of social enterprise to deliver innovative and important social outcomes for the community. 
• Parramatta City Council offers seed funding through the Social Enterprise category of their Community Grants program and in 2007 established the Parramatta Social Enterprise Hub to support the development and growth of the local social enterprise sector. Their resources page brings together a range of material for those interested in learning more about social enterprise. 
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT) conduct research into a variety of not for profit issues. More information about social enterprise can be found by following their Wiki or engaging in their Finding Australia’s Social Enterprise Sector research 
• Artsupport Australia is an initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts to grow cultural philanthropy. They work closely with government, cultural, corporate, financial and philanthropic sectors to develop effective strategies for giving.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Social Return on Investment is an approach to understanding and managing the impacts of a project, organisation or policy.
• Log Frame (255 kb) is a framework that indicates the ‘logic’ behind a project design, the means by which progress will be monitored and the key risks within the design.
• Social Audit Network Limited promotes the use of Social Accounting and Audit as an accessible tool to prove the value of activities carried out by organisations in the social economy.
• Social Impact Tracker is a secure database system that will provide organisations with the ability to capture and report on their social impact.

International

• Social Enterprise Alliance (USA) aims to be an advocate for the field, hub of information & education, and builder of a vibrant and growing community of social enterprises.
• Social Enterprise Coalition (UK) is the UK's national body for social enterprise representing a wide range of social enterprises, regional and national support networks and other related organisations.
• Business Link (UK) offers an online Social Enterprise Toolkit to provide support and guidance to new and established ventures in setting up and running a social enterprise.
• Enterprising Nonprofits (Canada) provides grants and resources to non-profits organisations, contributes to public policy initiatives and provides leadership and support that will enhance the market opportunities and the purchasing of social enterprise goods and services.

Reference

• Stanford Social Innovation Review provides strategies, tools and ideas for not for profits, foundations, and socially responsible businesses.
• Probono Australia News provides information on Governance, Philanthropy, Fundraising, Volunteering, Social Enterprise and Government issues.
• NCOSS Information sheets provide up to date information on submissions and reports on social policy, conference papers and other documents.

General

• St George Foundation supports projects that enable disadvantaged and disabled children (up to 18yrs old) to reach their potential. 
• SBS Foundation provides airtime to successful applicants to promote their project/organisation on SBS.

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