Funding announcements
12 August 2024: Applications for Social Enterprise Growth Grants 2024–25 are now open. Apply now.
Social Enterprise Jobs Fund
In 2021, the Queensland Government committed $8 million for the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund to support social enterprises to scale up activities and create training and employment opportunities.
As part of the Queensland Small Business Strategy 2024–27, additional funding of $1.9 million has been committed in 2024–25 to continue the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund, delivered through development and growth grant programs to build the capability and capacity of the sector.
The Social Enterprise Jobs Fund builds on the commitments under the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy to support the development of a sustainable and thriving social enterprise sector.
Under the Jobs Fund:
- in 2024–25, $1.5 million will be available for business development and growth grants for eligible organisations – available grant programs are outlined below in the Grants delivery schedule
- in 2023–24, $470,000 in funding was allocated for research grants supporting the development of practical resources to boost the growth and maturity of the sector – view the successful projects (XLSX, 14KB)
- between 2021 and 2023, $4.6 million in funding was allocated to business development and growth grants for eligible organisations. The grant programs delivered are outlined below.
Grants delivery schedule
| Grant program | Launch date | Opening date | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Social Enterprise Development Grants | 29 May 2021 | 3 June 2021 | 15 July 2021 |
| Social Enterprise Growth Grants | 9 September 2021 | 23 September 2021 | 7 October 2021 |
| Sector Development Grants | 17 December 2021 | 6 January 2022 | 11 February 2022 |
| Social Enterprise Development Grants | 12 May 2022 | 27 May 2022 | 30 June 2022 |
| Social Enterprise Growth Grants – Round 1, 2022–23 | 17 October 2022 | 17 October 2022 | 12 January 2023 |
| Social Enterprise Growth Grants – Round 2, 2022–23 | 1 March 2023 | 1 March 2023 | 27 April 2023 |
| Social Enterprise Growth Grants 2024–25 | 12 August 2024 | 12 August 2024 | 3 October 2024 |
| Social Enterprise Development Grants 2024–25 | January 2025 | January 2025 | March 2025 |
Social Enterprise Growth Grants
Applications for Social Enterprise Growth Grants are open.
The Social Enterprise Growth Grants program provides grants to eligible established Queensland social enterprises for capability and capacity building that supports the business to scale up or adapt.
Available funding
In 2024–25, $1 million is available for Social Enterprise Growth Grants under one funding round.
The program provides grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 for organisations to purchase equipment and resources, or access business services, to enable them to move their social enterprise to the next stage of growth.
Eligibility criteria
The program supports social enterprises that have operated and traded in Queensland for at least 12 months, meet the agreed program definition of a social enterprise, and have a mission aligned to Queensland Government priorities, such as supporting jobs, investing in skills, growing regions and protecting the environment.
To meet the program definition of a social enterprise, you must provide documented evidence of People and Planet First Social Enterprise Verification or Social Traders Certification in your application.
Eligible activities
Grants will provide funding for activities, services or expenditure that build the skills, capability and capacity of the social enterprise. Funding requested must have a direct link to increasing business sustainability and/or employment.
Funding is available for the purchase of eligible items including, but not limited to, production and digital equipment/systems, business and strategic planning, website development and marketing strategies.
Application process
Applications for Social Enterprise Growth Grants 2024–25 opened on 12 August 2024 and will close at 5pm, Thursday 3 October 2024.
To apply, you must complete all of the following steps:
- Read the funding guidelines 2024–25 (PDF, 1.5MB).
- Download the project budget template (XLSX, 61KB) – complete and submit with your application (Note: You must submit a project budget with your application).
- If you are eligible to apply:
- complete the online application form (Note: The application form cannot be partially completed and saved – it must be completed and submitted in 1 session)
- attach all supporting documentation (including your project budget)
- submit by 5pm, Thursday 3 October 2024.
More information
Read the following key program documents:
- Social Enterprise Growth Grants – Funding guidelines 2024–25 (PDF, 1.5MB).
- Social Enterprise Growth Grants – Frequently asked questions (PDF, 931KB).
If you have any further questions, email sejf@desbt.qld.gov.au.
Successful applicants
Social Enterprise Development Grants
Applications for the Social Enterprise Development Grants are closed.
The Social Enterprise Development Grants program provides grants for approved projects to support newly established or early stage Queensland social enterprises to build capability and capacity, and increase business resilience and confidence.
The program supports social enterprises that have operated or traded in Queensland for a period of 18 months or less, and have a mission or purpose aligned to Queensland Government priorities, such as:
- supporting jobs
- investing in skills
- growing regions
- protecting the environment
- safeguarding health.
Successful applicants
View a list of successful applicants and their approved projects (XLSX, 15KB).
Sector Development Grants
Applications for the Sector Development Grants are closed.
The Sector Development Grants program provides grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 for approved projects that support the development and growth of the social enterprise ecosystem in Queensland.
The program supports sector intermediary organisations or significant ecosystem developers with experience in building the skills, capability and capacity of social enterprises. Such intermediaries may include:
- incubator and accelerator program providers
- social entrepreneurs
- social enterprise networks
- research providers
- academic institutions.
Successful applicants
View a list of successful applicants and their approved projects (PDF, 97KB).
Community Social Enterprise Development Grants Program
Applications for the Community Social Enterprise Development Grants are closed.
The Community Social Enterprise Development Grants program provides grants to experienced non-profit community-based organisations to increase the capability and capacity of the social enterprises they operate.
The program assists organisations to grow existing social enterprises and expand skills development and employment opportunities for disadvantaged Queenslanders, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- migrants and refugees from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- people with disability
- young people (aged 15–24 years), including those in and transitioned from out-of-home care
- women re-entering the workforce
- veterans, ex-Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families
- recently released prisoners.
Successful applicants
View a list of successful applicants and their approved projects (XLSX, 14KB).
If you have any further questions, email sejf@desbt.qld.gov.au.
Last updated 13 August 2024
