SVA and partners launch Indigenous Social Enterprise Fund

SVA, in partnership with Indigenous Business Australia and Reconciliation Australia, has proudly launched the Indigenous Social Enterprise Fund, a $1m pilot Fund aimed at providing investment and business support for the Indigenous social enterprise sector.

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Pictured at the launch of the Indigenous Social Enterprise Fund, [L to R], Jocelyn Grant from Fivegrants Consulting, Kirsti McQueen from Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and Leanne Townsend from National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA)
The launch was generously hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Melbourne, who is also a valued partner of the Fund. The event was attended by representatives from Fund partners SVA, Indigenous Business Australia and Reconciliation Australia, a range of Indigenous social enterprises and members of the Fund’s Indigenous Advisory Group, who celebrated the culmination of many years of hard work to bring the Fund to fruition.

Kirsti McQueen, General Manager – Indigenous Business Australia Partnerships, Leah Armstrong, CEO of Reconciliation Australia and Michael Traill AM, Chief Executive of SVA spoke, all focusing on the potential of the Fund to develop and nurture Indigenous social enterprises, to increase the social impact of the enterprises as well as increase their long-term financial sustainability.

“The ISEF will allow Indigenous social enterprises to grow and become more sustainable with strategic investment in capacity and potential.

“It will also build a strong pipeline of investment ready Indigenous-led enterprises that have the potential to create employment and change lives in Indigenous communities,” said Michael Traill.

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[L to R] Jason Eades from Eades Consulting, Russell Smith from Building Bridges and James van Smeerdijk from PricewaterhouseCoopers
Indigenous Business Australia has allocated $1m for the fund. In recognition of the importance of Indigenous owned and led initiatives, SVA will be responsible for management of the pilot and then transition management to an Indigenous-owned organisation.

The Indigenous Social Enterprise Fund will be open to social enterprises that are Indigenous owned, non-profit organisations at start-up or growth stage that have appropriately qualified board and management with relevant skills, experience and reputational standing to manage the business. The Fund is accepting applications now and will run for two years, until September 2015.

Find out more about the Indigenous Social Enterprise Fund here, or contact Katherine Kailis.

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[L to R] Louise Kuramoto from RE Ross Trust, and Elena Mogilevski from Myer Foundation/Sidney Myer Fund