City of Melbourne’s Social Enterprise Grants Program – Australia

The Social Enterprise Grants Program (the program) supports the establishment and expansion of businesses with a social purpose. The program is aligned to the Economic Development Strategy 2031 – enhancing the City of Melbourne’s reputation for business vitality, diversity and inclusiveness, and contributing to the city’s economy and community.

Program Objectives

• This grant round is intended to:
  • encourage the establishment, development and expansion of sustainable social enterprises which enhance the City of Melbourne’s business vitality, diversity and inclusiveness
  • support social enterprises and circular economy solutions that demonstrate a unique point-of difference and benefit the city.
• Applying businesses must be located within the City of Melbourne, have most of their workforce for their main activity within the City of Melbourne, or are committed to establishing within the City of Melbourne.

Topic Streams

The program has a stream specifically for applicants working on circular economy solutions, and an open stream which is available to applicants working on any other social impact solution.

• Circular Economy Stream: City of Melbourne is interested in bold and inventive circular economy solutions, challenging the notion of what ‘waste’ is, and finding pathways towards a circular economy and zero waste. This stream is for businesses who are developing and/or delivering innovative circular economy related products and services.
• Open Stream: This stream is open to any other type of social enterprise that meets the eligibility criteria and program objectives.

Funding Available

• There is up to $200,000 available in total for the program, with $100,000 available in each of the above streams.
• Up to $20,000 is available per application.
• For this round of the program, the City of Melbourne is open to applications from individual business and also from groups of businesses proposing a collaborative project.
• For collaborative projects a lead applicant must apply for the grant

Eligibility Criteria

Once applications have been received, the City of Melbourne will assess against the following eligibility checklist. Applicants must:

• have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN)
• meet the program guidelines definition of a social enterprise
• have documented evidence of an appropriate legal structure, such as a sole trader, an Australian registered company, business cooperative or partnership
• have no outstanding acquittals or debts to the City of Melbourne
• demonstrate financial viability as evidenced by a basic business plan, including projected financial statements
• demonstrate sustainable business practices in line with the Australian ethical charter
• be able to commence the funded activity upon receiving the grant
• complete and acquit the funded activity within 12 months, no later than two weeks after the agreed completion date of the proposal as stated in the funding agreement.

For more information, visit City of Melbourne.