Helping hand for Queensland social entrepreneurs

Applications are open for the first round of social enterprise grants that will help the sector to grow and create more jobs for Queenslanders.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman announced the opening of the grants today as part of the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy (QSES) that was launched last month.

“It’s an exciting time for Queensland’s thriving social enterprise sector,” Ms Fentiman said.

“And we want to throw our support behind them to help them build on the 4000 jobs already supported by the sector and continue to provide meaningful jobs for Queenslanders.”

“Through the strategy we hope to more than double the number of jobs over the next ten years.

“The Social Enterprise Strategy will benefit many Queenslanders, particularly in regional areas where we have a strong presence and history of social enterprises.

“Through the strategy, $450,000 will be invested in the new grants program to provide valuable support during the vital early stages of business,” Ms Fentiman said.

“These grants will provide funding from $5,000 up to $50,000 for a range of projects including valuable training, mentoring, business and strategic planning, marketing, branding or digital strategy development, website upgrades or technology for e-commerce.”

To be eligible businesses need to be Queensland-based and derive more than 50 per cent of their income from trade and reinvest the majority of their profit in their mission.

Through recent research we have identified at least 220 social enterprises, of which 64 per cent are small businesses.

“Under the strategy, another $400,000 will go towards pilot projects which will provide access to training and mentoring to foster innovation and kick start business ideas.”

This funding builds on $240,000 in funding previously announced for the state’s peak social enterprise body the Queensland Social Enterprise Council.

Applications close 2 December 2019

For more information on the strategy and grants visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/socialenterprise

ENDS

Media Contact:          Inga Williams              0439 949 719