Fiona Telford’s Post

🎉 Grant of the Week: Social Investment Partnerships Grants 🎉 Looking for funding to drive meaningful social change in the City of Melbourne? This week’s spotlight is on the Social Investment Partnerships Grants – a fantastic opportunity for not-for-profits, social enterprises, and B Corporations working to address social challenges and create thriving communities. 🌏💡 This program supports projects that provide equitable opportunities for individuals, strengthen community resilience, and empower Melbourne’s diverse neighbourhoods. Eligible projects can receive between $25,000 and $90,000 per year for up to two years. This funding ensures that organisations aligned with the City of Melbourne’s social priorities can deliver impactful programs, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future. 🌱 Projects targeting the following areas will receive priority consideration: 📈 Employment and capacity building through education and training 🏠 Addressing homelessness and creating pathways to affordable housing 🍲 Tackling food insecurity 💜 Family violence prevention and initiatives to end violence against women 🤝 Promoting social cohesion and combating discrimination 📶 Improving digital literacy and access 🧠 Boosting mental and physical wellbeing 👥 Increasing community participation and amplifying local voices To apply for this grant, your organisation must: ✅ Be a not-for-profit, certified B Corporation, or social enterprise aligned with Social Traders' definition. (Note: B Corporations must provide matched financial contributions.) ✅ Have a track record of at least two years of operation. ✅ Be located within or delivering the project in the City of Melbourne. ✅ Align your project with the City’s key strategic plans such as the Council Plan 2021-25. Interested? Let's Make Your Vision a Reality! This is an incredible chance to create lasting social impact right here in Melbourne. If your organisation is ready to take the next step, I can assist with your application to ensure your project aligns with the grant’s priorities and shines through the competitive process. 📩 Reach out today: [email protected] #GrantOpportunity #SocialImpact #CommunityGrants #CityOfMelbourne #InclusionMatters #SocialChange #MelbourneCommunity #NonprofitSupport #SocialEnterprise #BCorp #GrantWriting #CommunityDevelopment #FundingOpportunity #ResilientCommunities #SustainableMelbourne #FutureMelbourne #SupportLocal

About the Social Equation Hub The Social Equation Hub is a think tank that combines expertise to develop innovative solutions in the field of healthcare and social protection to ensure sustainable growth and well-being of the population. Our team consists of professionals with many years of experience in the non-governmental sector, with expertise in budget advocacy, grant writing, crowdfunding, NGO development, fundraising, media relations, information security, business analytics and project management. Thanks to this, the Social Equation Hub has extensive experience and expertise to implement important initiatives and projects. We are united by a common goal - the development of healthcare and social protection for the sustainable well-being of the population. "Social Equation Hub actively engages international organisations, government agencies and private companies to implement best practices and innovative approaches in our projects. This cooperation allows us to pool resources and knowledge to more effectively address social problems, improve the quality of healthcare services and strengthen social support for the population. "The Social Equation Hub is a team that joins forces to build a sustainable and successful society where everyone has a chance for a decent life. "Our team joins forces to build a sustainable and successful society where everyone has a chance for a decent life. Through our professional skills, expertise in public health and social protection, as well as the development of non-governmental organizations and partnership with government agencies, we strive to create a bright future where cooperation and mutual support become the basis for real change.” - Kateryna Ryzhkova-Sebeleva, Chairman of the Board. We believe that we can create important things together and through our activities we aim to ensure equal social opportunities for everyone without exception!

Spend five minutes with our Group Head of Social Value, Jamie Dickinson MBA, as he shares his role in driving impactful initiatives that benefit our Communities... 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲? “I’ve been with Places for People for 12 years. The ethos of PfP - so to be able to contribute to delivering and sustaining thriving Communities at scale was a golden opportunity for me. “My role is focused on making a difference – I look after our Community Investment programme and Connector team, charitable grant making, social value in the supply chain, business development and lead on externally funded projects. It’s a really broad portfolio which brings me into contact with every level and part of the business as well as providing an opportunity to develop partnerships across different sectors.” 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? “Collaboration is what my team does – our roles are all about bringing People and organisations together solve problems. At a local level the Community Connectors are working with voluntary, Community and social enterprise partners to find new ways to support our Customers. The rest of the team are building relationships to drive growth or derive additional value from our supply chain contractors and I’m working with sector partners to deliver national programmes such as the Resilience Programme with Clarion Housing Group and Fusion21. It’s all about collaborating to make a difference.” 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬? “The big goal is to contribute to the elimination of stigma around social housing and support the development, delivery and sustainment of Communities where people want to live. It’s about empowering Customers to identify and solve their own issues – working with, not for, them. “At a national level - more partnerships, particularly where we can use our resources to unlock additional funding and also looking beyond the social housing sector for new models of collaboration. At a local level - we’re networking teams to ensure we have partners ready to address Customer challenges, maximizing resources through co-funding. “We want to work at scale, however, larger housing providers can sometimes struggle with delivering at a local level. Places for People really recognises that and is making sure it’s strategy and structures harness the advantages of scale while having a relentless focus on Community.” 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐟𝐏 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? “People, purpose and partnerships. We’ve got really great Colleagues and a culture of collaboration for a start. We’re focused on Community and making a difference so whichever part of the Group you work for there is a shared purpose.” #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #SocialImpact #MakingADifference #ImpactLeadership

Globally, public private partnerships (PPPs) have proven to be a catalyst for social progress in the third sector. In the U.S., partnerships between the government and corporations have fueled affordable housing projects, improved healthcare access, and supported education reform. Europe, too, has seen PPPs enhance social infrastructure, from community centers to sustainable urban development, bringing together private investment and public resources for greater social impact. Building on this global momentum, Saudi Arabia is embracing PPPs to transform its own third sector. The Riyadh Foundation’s recent establishment highlights this commitment, aiming to cultivate an inclusive, sustainable, and proactive nonprofit landscape. By leveraging the strengths of both sectors, the Foundation’s strategy is set to create a robust social ecosystem. Its approach focuses on establishing a world class think tank to drive social innovation, designing impactful programs, fostering social entrepreneurship, and building social assets across Riyadh. These pillars are designed to not just address immediate community needs but to enhance quality of life, increase volunteerism, and boost the contribution of the nonprofit sector to the national economy. PPPs in Saudi Arabia are more than a partnership, they are a shared vision for a better future. This model of collaboration seeks to inspire action, drive social change, and build a thriving, connected society that benefits all, mirroring successful global examples while carving a unique path forward for the Kingdom’s third sector.

It was instructive to read Paul Hamlyn Foundation's impact report covering the work of their Backbone Fund which exists to support social impact infrastructure, *in addition to* their diverse thematic funds. We warmly celebrate that they see the complementarity of funding the conditions for the whole of society to thrive, alongside issue-based or programmatic funding. Here is another progressive funder who has set up a category for this type of social investment. They are one of the few, not alone but not in enough company, and we are calling for more funders to take inspiration and courage from their example, and to follow suit. 🗼 Here is their definition of infrastructure - we love it, do you? "Backbone – or infrastructure – organisations play a key role in creating the conditions in which civil society can thrive. In time of crises and conflict, these organisations help rebuild the foundations of a resilient and diverse civil society" https://lnkd.in/eucpvq64 Moira Sinclair OBE Sameera Mehra Urban Institute WINGS United Philanthropy Forum Philea - Philanthropy Europe Association Bradley Myles Brendon “Brendoni” Johnson 🕺🏻 Sam Vaghar Robert Pye April Donnellan Christine Sow Ann Mei Chang Interaction Institute for Social Change Alliance magazine Philanthropy Impact

🌍 Know More:   Understanding Community Benefit Companies in Rwanda WHAT IS COMMUNITY BENEFIT COMPANY? In Rwanda, the Law Governing Companies N° 007/2021 of February 5, 2021, defines a Community Benefit Company (CBC) in Article 2 as a company with primary social objectives. Unlike traditional businesses, CBCs prioritize reinvesting their surpluses into the business or community rather than maximizing profits for shareholders. Simply a CBC is that company, which is incorporated when its owners or shareholders are not profit oriented since the profits are reinvested in the company to achieve its social objectives. Key Features of Community Benefit Companies Social Mission: CBCs aim to tackle social, environmental, and community challenges, putting people and the planet first. Reinvestment of Surpluses: Earnings are dedicated to furthering social objectives, ensuring community benefits are prioritized. Sustainable Impact: Aligning business practices with social goals helps create jobs and enhance local economies. Why CBCs Matter? Empowerment: They engage communities by addressing their unique needs and involving them in decision-making. Innovation: CBCs foster innovative solutions to social problems, leveraging local resources and knowledge. Long-term Change: By focusing on sustainability, they create lasting positive impacts, improving quality of life for many. DO A PROFIT MAKING COMPANY TRANSITION TO CBC? Yes, a private company can transition to a Community Benefit Company (CBC) in Rwanda! This process involves important legal steps to ensure alignment with the social objectives that define a CBC. Transitioning from a Private Company to a Community Benefit Company (CBC) in Rwanda. Review Objectives: Confirm that the company’s goals align with the social mission required for a CBC. Amend Articles of Association: Update the founding documents to reflect the new status and social objectives of the company. Approval Process: Obtain approval from shareholders, which may involve passing a special resolution. To change from profit making company to CBC. Register Changes: Submit the amended documents, Articles of association which states so and that the dividend will benefit the community. to the Registrar General at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for official recognition./Approval. Compliance: Ensure ongoing compliance with the legal framework governing CBCs, including financial reporting and reinvestment requirements. As we look to the future, Community Benefit Companies represent a promising model for merging business success with social responsibility. Let us support and promote this 

This article highlights an important truth: the idea that social organizations can achieve “sustainability” without long-term giving is fundamentally flawed. Philanthropy in the social sector is an ongoing journey, not a finite project. Even the most successful initiatives, like One Acre Fund, operate in landscapes where demand far exceeds available resources. The notion of a post-philanthropy state ignores the persistent and evolving nature of societal challenges, which require continuous, adaptable funding. Believing in a self-sustaining model without ongoing philanthropic support is dangerous, as it undermines the long-term commitment needed for meaningful change. While big bet philanthropy has injected significant capital, a lack of follow-on funding strategies leaves organizations facing a precarious “funding cliff.” Therefore, committed, long-term partnerships between donors and social change organizations are crucial for sustaining progress over time.

Are you passionate about businesses that do more than just make a profit? Discover how Australia is setting a global benchmark with the $11.6 million Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) - a monumental effort to empower social enterprises that are changing lives and communities for the better! From laundromats providing employment to marginalised individuals to cafés equipping disadvantaged youth with skills, SEDI aims to strengthen social enterprises, enabling them to amplify their influence. With grants, educational resources, and expert partnerships, it's a new era of unparalleled support for social good through business. Dive into our latest blog to explore how SEDI will help brighter futures and why this is a game-changer for social enterprises that are creating societal wellbeing and inclusive economic growth in Australia. Don't miss out on learning about this groundbreaking initiative and how it has the potential to transform communities nationwide. Click through to find out more: https://lnkd.in/g8BSPKM2 Congratulations to commendations Social Enterprise Australia and Impact Investing Australia on being appointed by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to lead the educational and grant administration facets of SEDI and a big thank you for their instrumental advocacy work in making this happen. #socialenterprise #socialentrepreneur #changethegame #switch2good #socialentrepreneurship #socialinnovation #funding #grants #government #advocacy #businessforgood #purpose #forpurpose #socialchange #socialbusiness #sustainability #socentau #socent

I found the article to be both interesting and insightful, and I completely agree with the notion that there is a definitive gap between funding for startups and funding for social impact projects. However, I believe that our social changemaker projects should be designed to become self-sustainable after the initial funding phase. Just as startups promise profitability or self-sustainability after receiving initial capital, social projects should be structured in a way that allows them to maintain operations independently over time. providing eye care accessibility to underserved regions, initial funding could be used to establish services through the purchase of equipment and other assets. These centers should then operate sustainably by offering a mix of paid and free services, ensuring they can continue to function and support the community without continuous external funding. Community funds can play a pivotal role in supporting these efforts. Community resources, we can create a more resilient and self-sustaining model for social impact. Kudos to Ella Gudwin for her hard work in providing accessibility to glasses for underserved populations worldwide, and congratulations on being member of the Global SPECS Network.

This piece from Julia Freeland Fisher is timely and so spot on. Investments in networks are an investment in social capital that isn’t inherently equitably distributed across genders, incomes, and race. “Social capital is indispensable. But it’s also invisible. It’s a particular blind spot among people who enjoy plentiful social connections. Members of affluent networks may take social capital for granted rather than building and distributing it more widely, as philanthropists do their financial capital. Betting on social capital may feel risky. But the risk of not paying for relationships is far greater. We live in an era of troubling inequality, loneliness and polarization. Taken together, these are lagging indicators of poor investment — both private and public — in social connection. It’s time to course correct. Philanthropy needs to stop hedging against the profound role that social capital plays in the opportunity equation and start paying for the relationships that we know pay off.” #socialcapital #networks #philanthropy Imagine Network https://lnkd.in/eWCN_b57