Funding for city of Melbourne social enterprise start-ups to expand or grow

Social Enterprise Grants provide social enterprises within the City of Melbourne with funding to help them expand or develop new products or services.

Overview

The funding is aimed at encouraging the establishment and expansion of sustainable social enterprises that:

• enhance the municipality's reputation for business vitality, diversity and inclusiveness
• demonstrate a point-of-difference, solid market potential and a sound business model
• contribute to the city's thriving economy and community.

A social enterprise is defined as an organisation that combines trade with a social purpose, where this purpose is the defining part of the business.

Check if you can apply

To be eligible, you must:

• be located in the City of Melbourne municipality, or be prepared to relocate there within 3 months of receiving the grant
• have documented evidence of an appropriate legal structure, such as a sole trader, an Australian registered company, business cooperative or partnership
• have a valid Australian business number (ABN)
• be able to commence the proposed activity promptly upon receiving the grant
• be financially viable.