Program overview

Social Enterprise Support Grants will provide assistance to eligible Victorian social enterprises to purchase plant, machinery or equipment of up to $50,000 (excl. GST) that will enable them to grow, increase capacity, employ additional staff and/or deliver greater impact.

Projects will be supported that demonstrate the investment will expand business activity and increase impact, including access to the social procurement marketplace and/or job creation through direct employment or transitional pathways for job seekers facing barriers to economic inclusion.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

To be eligible for assistance, social enterprises must:

  1. Hold a current Social Traders Certification or successful Social Traders verified pre-Certification
  2. Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) at the date of application
  3. Have an operating business address in Victoria and conduct the proposed activities in Victoria
  4. Be registered for GST at the date of application
  5. Meet any co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure
  6. Demonstrate 12 months operating income from trading activity

An Incorporated Trustee may apply on behalf of a Trust provided that the Trustee:

  • Under the Trust Deed, has the ability to enter into the grant agreement in its capacity as Trustee; and
  • Is entitled to be indemnified out of the Trust funds in connection with performance of the grant agreement.

Not-for-profits and charitable organisations are eligible to apply, on the condition their social enterprise model has been operating for at least 12 months.

The following are not eligible to apply:

  • Commonwealth, State and Local government agency or public bod
  • a company not incorporated in Australi
  • an industry association or business chambe
  • a publicly funded research organisatio
  • a sole trader.

Project Eligibility

Examples of projects supported under this program include:

  • Purchasing plant, machinery or equipment (fixed assets that are used to produce goods and/or services for the business) that enables;
    • process improvements or increased production/output workflow and allocation
    • an increase in operations and/or employment of additional staff (Victorians facing barriers to employment)
    • upgrades or expansion that allows the business to offer new or different services.

Plant, machinery and equipment must be integral to achieving project outcomes.

For full eligibility criteria, see the program guidelines.

Program Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please view the program guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions for further information.

Social Enterprise Support Grants Guidelines (DOCX 1595.29 KB) DOCX icon

Social Enterprise Support Grants Guidelines (PDF 256.32 KB) PDF icon

Also see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How to apply

Applications open on 22 March 2022 and close at 11:59pm on 10 April 2022.

Please read all the information on this page, including program guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs) before submitting your application and relevant documentation via the 'Apply now' button on this page.

More information

An information session will be held on Tuesday 29 March 2022 from 4pm to 5pm. Register for the session via Humanitix.

For information on other supports and resources for social enterprises see Social Enterprise Strategy on the DJPR website.

For further assistance, please contact the Social Procurement and Enterprise team on SPE@ecodev.vic.gov.au.