Social Enterprise Growth Fund

This fund supports social enterprises, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and not-for-profits to create social, cultural or environmental benefits for our community.

A pool of $16,500 is available to organisations and individuals with maximum support of $3,000. Be mindful of how much you ask for, as we are interested in supporting a diverse amount of projects.

This funding round has 2 purposes.

  1. To help organisations scale their operations and increase their social, cultural or environmental impact.
  2. To help create new social enterprise models or expand emerging businesses with a focus on delivering positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

You must read the full guidelines(PDF, 615KB) for more information on the categories and speak with a Council officer before submitting your application.

For simplicity, this application and form refers to social enterprises throughout: organisations who meet the criteria are eligible to apply.

Key dates

  • The current grant round is open throughout the 2024-2025 financial year.
  • Applications open on 1 May 2025.
  • Submissions close at midnight on 31 May 2025.
  • The grant round will close earlier if funds are exhausted prior to the closing date.

Eligibility

Applicants must be one of the following groups:

Applicants must also:

  • be incorporated or have appropriate auspice support
  • provide (or be planning to) support, programs or services to people living in Banyule
  • have an ABN, or be willing to complete as statement by supplier
  • provide a current detailed profit and loss statement (preferred) or a detailed, current financial statement or detailed business plan with financial projections if you are a start-up (bank statements are not appropriate and should not be submitted).

Application

Applications must be submitted through SmartyGrants. Register and start a new application: you can save and return to your application at any time.

Assessment

We have a conflict of interest declaration that all parties involved in the assessment process must complete prior to assessment.

There are 4 stages in the assessment process:

  1. Eligibility check: executed by our Social Enterprise Lead
  2. Officer review and comments: executed by Council officers with knowledge of the sector
  3. Grants panel review: executed by senior Council officers
  4. Panel recommendations: approved by our Director of Community Wellbeing.

Not all applications will be funded even if they are eligible.

In some cases, applicants may also be offered partial funding to run a reduced or modified project.

Acquittal

Acquittals must be submitted online and detail how funds were spent.

You must submit receipts or invoices showing a zero balance. Receipts must list items purchased, detailing the cost per item, and the total cost. All receipts should reflect the expenses approved and align with the grant budget or letter of offer.

Unpaid invoices, copies of online orders and bank transfer statements cannot be accepted as proof of purchase.

Failure to acquit the grant satisfactorily will be considered a breach, and may result in requests for grant funding to be returned to us and exclude the group from future grant rounds.

Accessibility

The grants process is open and accessible to everyone, including if:

  • you need a printed copy of the guidelines or a printed copy in large print;
  • you need to discuss these guidelines by phone;
  • you need the guidelines in a captioned video format;
  • you need to discuss the guidelines with us using the services of an Auslan interpreter;
  • your hearing or speech is impaired, you can call us through the National Relay Service on 133 677 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 on an ordinary handset and ask for 9490 4222;
  • you need a language interpreter please contact TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to us on 9490 4222; or
  • you need a printed form and support to enter information into SmartyGrants please contact us for assistance.

If you face any barriers to applying and would like to discuss these or any other ways we can help you, please contact us.

Contact us

With any questions, contact Daniel Shields on 9242 3416 or at daniel.shields@bayule.vic.gov.au

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