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.
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.
