Social Enterprise

Smiling volunteer holding a box with toys and clothes in a donation centre. Other volunteers in blue shirts organise items in the background.

What is a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business, but exist specifically to make the world a better place.

Social enterprises meet the following five global standards:

  1. Purpose: Exists to solve a social and/or environmental problem
  2. Operations: Prioritises purpose, people, and planet over profit in operational decisions
  3. Revenue: Has a self-sustaining revenue model
  4. Use of Surplus: Reinvests the majority of any surplus towards its purpose
  5. Structure: Chooses legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long term.

To find out more about social enterprise, please visit the Social Enterprise Council of NSW and ACT website

To support the growing number of social enterprises in the City of Parramatta we have a range of programs on offer, read more about them below.

World Social Enterprise Day 

Held annually on the third Thursday in November, World Social Enterprise Day is an internationally recognised Day that draws attention to the positive social impacts that social enterprise businesses create in communities. 

Join us for a range of engaging and interactive activities to celebrate World Social Enterprise Day - Open to all!

1. A Sustainable Procurement Business Expo - offering the opportunity for local businesses/government agencies/corporates to connect with Social Enterprise and First Nations businesses and learn how purchasing from these organisations can create meaningful social impact in local communities;

2.  A forum on the contribution of female social entrepreneurs to Civic Wealth Creation in Parramatta, presented in partnership with the UNSW Centre for Social Impact;

3.  An 'Introduction to the Social Enterprise Formula' workshop by Tom Dawkins, CEO and co-founder of StartSomeGood;

4.  Pitch for Good Parramatta 2025! 

The Expo, Forum and Workshop are free!!

Pitch for Good Parramatta 2025 is a ticketed event - BUT you get the value of your ticket price back to donate to your favourite project pitch on the night! 

Grants

Council runs a unique Social Enterprise Grants program, featuring annual and quarterly grants to support local social enterprises to grow or deliver new projects that further their social mission. The annual grants program also supports social enterprises to expand or move their social enterprise to Parramatta. 

To find out more about Council’s Social Enterprise Grants, please contact Lucy Brotherton, Community Capacity Building Lead – Social Investment via email.

Pitch for Good

Pitch for Good Parramatta program supports social enterprises to run crowdfunding campaigns plus pitch at a live crowdfunding event in Parramatta. The program offers social entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ideas and raise funds for impactful community projects or to help launch their social enterprises in Parramatta.

For more information about social enterprises or to get involved in next year’s Pitch for Good, contact Community Capacity Building team on 02 9806 5792.

Good Gift Guide

The Good Gift Guide is a fun guide to ethical gifts that support social enterprise, sustainability and local impact.

All of the retailers listed actively seek to make a positive impact on a range of social, cultural or environmental issues. Through your purchase, you will be supporting innovative and inspirational projects in Australia and across the world.

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