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A new kind of investment boom
31 December 2009
Writing for Business Spectator on the eve of a new year and decade, SVA’s CEO Michael Traill predicts a new hybrid ‘social investment sector’, where the boundaries between private, public and non-profits are blurred, will offer significant development opportunities in the future. Traill cites the example of GoodStart, a syndicate of four non-profit organisations, including SVA, that was the preferred bidder on 678 of the ABC Learning childcare centres. GoodStart will be using this hybrid funding model to operate the centres within a non-profit framework, ensuring all surplus funds are reinvested to improve early childhood learning and care. Read the full article.
Money is important, but so is purpose and meaning
23 December 2009
The Australian Financial Review published an opinion piece by SVA’s CEO Michael Traill, reflecting on why we should think beyond the quarterly corporate grind to hit earnings targets and see ourselves and our businesses in more three dimensional terms that consider purpose and meaning as well as monetary goals.
Traill reflects on the emerging segment of the population that are doing just that and the demands they are now making on their employers to help them satisfy their deeper needs. Company leaders who recognise that offering meaningful community engagement and practical corporate social responsibility is beginning to play a role in attracting and retaining high-quality people, are converting this to a sustainable competitive advantage.
Chris Boys from SVA awarded prestigious scholarship
Congratulations to SVA’s Director of Venture Development, Chris Boys, who has been awarded by the Stanford Australia Foundation its 2009 Dyson Scholarship. This scholarship provides the opportunity for Chris to study at the Centre for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in June 2010. Read more here [PDF file size: 41KB]
Leading Charities provide a new start for ABC Learning
A syndicate of four non-profit organisations, including SVA, has been announced as the preferred bidder in the sale process for the acquisition of ABC Learning childcare centres, with completion expected pre Christmas 2009.
The consortium, GoodStart Childcare Ltd, involves SVA, Mission Australia, Benevolent Society and Brotherhood of St Laurence. GoodStart will operate as a non-profit organisation itself, ensuring all surplus funds will be reinvested to improve early childhood learning and care at the childcare centres GoodStart Childcare will manage.
The syndicate believes the demise of ABC Learning Centres Ltd provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform childcare in Australia – its quality, funding and educational outcomes. As an organisation that will be driven by purpose rather than profit, GoodStart Childcare will reinvigorate the ABC Learning brand and transform these childcare centres to ensure thousands of Australian children get the very best start in life. Evidence shows that not only do children who receive high quality care in these formative years have reduced behavioural problems, but that there are strong links between quality of care and children’s language, cognitive development and maths readiness.
To fund the acquisition, GoodStart Childcare has worked with NAB, the Australian Government, and a number of private philanthropists who have provided ‘social capital’. SVA’s participation in this consortium does not draw on any SVA funds and will have no impact on our existing activities.
SVA’s role in the development of GoodStart Childcare is a great practical example of the evolution and maturing of SVA. SVA’s heritage has been in supporting and generating innovative solutions to social problems, and over time SVA has realised there is as much opportunity for innovation in the way in which solutions are funded, as there are in the solutions themselves.
Read more details about GoodStart Childcare here. [PDF file size: 258KB]
Young blood
3 December 2009
Laura Trieste reports how the ambition and compassion of Jack Manning Bancroft, CEO of AIME, has led him to be named the NSW Young Australian of the Year.
The article reports on AIME’s progress and how the program is now involved with 40 schools, five universities, 500 school students and more than 500 university volunteers across the state.
To read the full article, go to the 3 December edition of the Inner West Courier – Inner City Edition.
Give meaningfully this Christmas
This Christmas you can give a meaningful gift that will make a real difference in the life of a young person with 24/7 care needs, via the Youngcare Christmas Catalogue.
Following on from the success of the first Youngcare Apartments in Brisbane, Youngcare need your help to commence construction on their second Youngcare Apartments on the Gold Coast.
Youngcare won’t actually send you a kettle or recliner in the post, but the individual items you purchase will bring joy, dignity and a brighter future when they come together as an appropriate home for young people. Whatever you give will buy you immeasurable gratitude.
Check out the Youngcare Catalogue here.
SVA meets His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama
December 2009
Paul and Lenore Robertson are introduced to His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. Photo: Rusty Stewart
In December 2009, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama visited Australia to provide his gentle wisdom on the topic ‘Our Future, Who is Responsible’. SVA through its relationship with the Board of Dalai Lama in Australia, were privileged to be able to offer to a small group of key supporters in both Melbourne and Sydney, the rare opportunity to meet and dine with His Holiness.
Discussion at each event focused on the role of philanthropy in society and the associated responsibilities. For some years the Dalai Lama has engaged himself in the matter of the global economy and the challenge of how wealth can be distributed more fairly.
Each event was a once in a lifetime experience for attendees, as reflected in the comments of two of the attendees:
‘A rare insight into the world of a serene but involved leader, who displayed a cheerful, almost mischievous, outlook on life.’
- Paul Robertson
‘It was a privilege to meet His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. I was touched by his warmth and sincerity. His calm presence permeated the room and provided a timely reminder that it is essential to take time in our busy lives to contemplate the meaning of life, not just the day to day issues. He spoke of the importance of honesty and compassion, two very simple but sometimes elusive qualities. He also spoke of the need to teach ethics in our schools to promote a better world. My brief encounter with his wisdom and humour will continue to inspire me for many years to come.’
Indigenous-led healing foundation lays out growth plans
November 2009
The Healing Foundation, an SVA supported Indigenous-led initiative, laid out its plans at a recent lunch with SVA investors in Sydney and at a Healing Symposium in Melbourne.
Greg Phillips, interim co-chair of Australia’s Indigenous Healing Foundation, and Dr Mike DeGagné, founding Executive Director of Canada’s Aboriginal Healing Foundation, spoke at both events.
Established in early 2009, the Healing Foundation is designed to increase the health and well-being of Indigenous people through the development of best practice localised healing programs.
SVA has provided funding for the Foundation to begin the evaluation of local healing models and explore interest in the national practitioner roundtable.
Dr Mike DeGagné was in Australia to lend his support to the Foundation’s establishment. Canada’s Aboriginal Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal organisation dedicated to addressing the legacy of the Indian Residential School System and is responsible for distributing a $515m fund to compensate Indigenous Canadians for experiences similar to that of the Stolen Generations.
Understanding and running successful social enterprises workshop
November 2009
The Australian Government has recently made the second and final call for proposals under the Local Jobs and Get Communities Working streams of the Jobs Fund.
SVA, Social Traders and Jobs Australia are running a series of workshops in Brisbane, Parramatta, Melbourne and Adelaide over the coming weeks aimed at providing participants with a solid understanding of what social enterprise is and the process for establishing a social enterprise designed to deliver training and employment.
Specifically the workshops will examine: the different types of social enterprise; how to set up a social enterprise; how to successfully submit a proposal for the Jobs Fund; and how to write a business plan for a social enterprise.
The dates for each workshop are:
Brisbane: 19 November
Melbourne: 24 November
Western Sydney: 27 November
For more information on each of the above sessions, please contact:
Brisbane: Andrew Hamilton ahamilton@socialventures.com.au
Parramatta: Ruth Johnstone rjohnstone@socialventures.com.au
Melbourne: Nicci Hutchinson Nicci.Hutchinson@socialtraders.com.au
SVA to manage Queensland Government’s latest project on social enterprise
The Queensland Government’s Department of Communities recently announced the Queensland Inclusive Social Enterprises (QISE) project. Managed by SVA, the project will provide investment for the development of social enterprises until June 2011.
The project is designed to support the development of social enterprises in Queensland which are focused on employing people who have been long-term unemployed due to mental health issues. Social enterprises that are supported are expected to be sustainable and self-sufficient by the end of the investment and support period.
Michael Traill, Chief Executive of SVA, commented:
‘The QISE project will provide much needed capital and support to develop social enterprises in Queensland over the next couple of years. The businesses that are developed will make a real and valuable difference to the lives of people with mental health issues by providing sustainable, long term job opportunities that are otherwise unavailable to them.’
‘Strut the streets’ with AIME
12 November 2009
The inaugural ‘Strut the Streets’ event will be held in Sydney on 12 November, to raise funds for SVA venture partner, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
AIME works with Indigenous high school students in Years 7-12 to improve their life prospects by instilling the aspiration and sharing the skills needed to encourage them to attend school, continue their education and raise their levels of attainment. The program uses a unique style of structured educational mentoring to link university students in a one-on-one relationship with Indigenous high school students. AIME’s objectives are to increase Year 10 and Year 12 completion rates and university admission rates for all Indigenous students that participate in the program.
It costs AIME $2000 a year to support one Indigenous student through school. By participating in the ‘Strut the Streets’ event or simply be sponsoring a participant, you’ll be providing AIME with much needed funds that will enable AIME to replicate their simple model across Australia.
Help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education outcomes as well as create a pool of university-ready Indigenous candidates by visiting www.strutthestreets.com.
Trading for change
8 October 2009
Continuing with their coverage of the Social Enterprise World Forum, The Age profiled some of the presenters taking part including Margaret Elliot OBE, founder of Sunderland Home Care Associates and Jimmy Pham, founder of KOTO International.
Read the full article here.
9am with David & Kim
7 October 2009
SVA’s Seri Renkin and Michael Gravina, founder of Elephant Pepper in Mozambique, were interviewed on Channel 10’s morning show, 9am with David and Kim, on 7 October. Seri spoke about SEWF and the growing social enterprise movement while Michael spoke about his work in Africa.
Watch the full interview here (search under Michael Gravina or Seri Renkin).
Social Enterprise World Forum
Melbourne 6-8 October 2009
The Social Enterprise World Forum, co-hosted by Social Ventures Australia and Social Traders, took place in Melbourne from 6-8 October 2009.
The purpose of the Forum was to support the emerging Australian social enterprise movement and showcase successful enterprises and raise the profile of social enterprise around the world.
It was the first event of this kind in the region and built on the success of the inaugural SEWF, which took place in Scotland in September 2008.
The sold out event brought together over 520 delegates and presenters from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the UK, Europe, South America, Africa and North America.
Uraine Mastrosaveros, Minister Peter Batchelor, Jan Owen AM, David Brookes, Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy, Michael Traill and Maurial Rose Spearim at the SEWF 2009 opening ceremony. Photo: Fiona Basile
Philanthropists gather they can do some good
5 October 2009
The business section of The Australian provided a brief preview of the Social Enterprise World Forum, including comments from SVA CEO Michael Traill.
Read the full article here.
Investing for the heart not just the wallet
5 October 2009
Writing in The Age on the eve of the Social Enterprise World Forum, SVA’s executive director Jan Owen AM argued that we need to stop obsessing about the financial structures that existed before the Global Financial Crisis and instead look at what role social enterprise can play in shaping alternative models of business and investment.
Read the full article here.
School Aid launches Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal
October 2009
In response to the devastation witnessed over the past month in our Asia Pacific neighbours, SchoolAid has launched The Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal to provide Australian school students with an opportunity to turn their compassion and concern into action to assist the recovery of children’s lives in these disaster areas.
School Aid Founder, Sean Gordon, has just returned from visiting Samoa. Read the graphic account of his trip here. And to learn how you can get involved, visit http://www.schoolaid.org.au.
Profile – Chris Cuffe
23 September 2009
Lucinda Schmidt from the Sydney Morning Herald talks to Chris Cuffe about Third Link Growth Fund. The Fund provides investors with an opportunity to participate in a professionally managed investment. Importantly, all fees received from managing the Fund’s investments, net of expenses incurred, support the non-profit sector via ongoing donation to SVA.
Read the full article here.
Third Angel Investor Network Forum – Sydney
Sydney 10 September 2009
The topic for the third Sydney Angel Investor Network Forum was ‘Strategic perspectives from non-profit leaders.’ Narelle Hooper, editor of AFR Boss, facilitated the panel discussion with the panel comprising Elaine Henry, CEO, The Smith Family; Jennifer Bott, Chief Executive, UNSW Foundation; and Kim McConville, Executive Director, Beyond Empathy.
As always the session triggered a thought provoking discussion, on this occasion around the importance of accountability and transparency and the need to create partnerships between non-profit organisation and their funders.
Change for the better for Marina Vit
9 September 2009
Mike O’Connor from The Courier Mail talks to Marina Vit, chief executive of Youngcare about her transition from the corporate world to the non-profit world why her current job makes her ‘want to get out of bed every day.’ Throughout the interview Marina tells real life stories that help reinforce the importance of the work undertaken by Youngcare. Read the full article here.
SVA receives $1.6 million through Federal Government ‘Jobs Fund’
4 September 2009
SVA has been awarded $1.6 million in funding from the Australian Government’s ‘Jobs Fund’ initiative.
The funding will be used to support a number of SVA’s existing successful Social Enterprise Hubs (Hubs). This Hubs model is currently operating in Parramatta, Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and the ACT, offering business support services that are otherwise inaccessible and unaffordable to social enterprises. These services include tailored advice in business planning, assistance in exploring and developing new market opportunities and access to professional resources in areas such as legal, accounting, marketing, HR or IT support.
Specifically the project funding will be used to:
- provide social enterprises with services and resources that will enable them to accelerate employment growth;
- expand coverage of the Hubs to additional surrounding areas with high unemployment and spatial disadvantage.
SVA Executive Director, Jan Owen AM said:
‘We believe economic participation is the first step towards social inclusion and anticipate the lives of some 100 Australians from marginalised backgrounds will be significantly changed as a result of this funding. We’re absolutely delighted with the outcome.’
‘There is a growing acceptance that supporting social enterprises is an effective way of tackling the high unemployment rate amongst marginalised individuals. These new partnership models, which combine business discipline and skills with the ability to engage and employ those marginalised and excluded from the workforce, have been emerging globally in recent years. There are already a number of Australian examples and this funding will help develop the sector even further.
‘Reflecting the rapid growth of the social enterprise movement globally, the Social Enterprise World Forum will be held in Melbourne next month. This event brings together global leaders in the social enterprise field and is attracting significant interest from practitioners, enablers, investors and policy makers. SVA is proud to be co-hosting the event and playing a role in the development of this important sector.’
Second Angel Investor Network Forum – Melbourne
Melbourne 1 September 2009
The topic for the second Melbourne Angel Investor Network Forum was ‘Overview of the philanthropic landscape.’
Guests were treated to a jam-packed agenda, with firstly Gina Anderson, CEO of Philanthropy Australia, highlighting the important role women have played in the history of philanthropy in Australia.
Jan Owen AM, Executive Director of SVA, then facilitated a panel discussion with Carol Schwartz AM, Trawalla Foundation and Teresa Zolnierkiewicz, Head of Philanthropy – ANZ Trustees, providing some real life examples of women in the sector. Carol talked extensively about her experiences working in the community, while Teresa spoke to the important role she is playing in affecting change within the corporate sector.
Finally Scott Harris, CEO of Beacon Foundation, provided guests with an update on the important work being undertaken at SVA venture partner, Beacon Foundation. Successful Beacon programs are now being replicated throughout Australia, demonstrating the important role their programs are playing in terms of influencing the attitudes and culture of Australians so that young people develop an independent will to achieve personal success for themselves and their community.
Social entrepreneurship at the heart of social inclusion
In the Spring 2009 edition of Australian Philanthropy magazine, Benny Callaghan, CEO of School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Australia, explains that SSE was created on the basis that it is not enough to invest money alone in community initiatives. Benny believes that for community projects and social enterprises to be successful and genuinely sustainable, they require investment in the people that are building them through upfront and ongoing personal and professional development.
Download the PDF here. [PDF file size: 311KB]
An evening with Hugh Mackay
25 August 2009
SVA is very fortunate to have regular access to the insights of Hugh Mackay through Hugh’s involvement with our National Leadership Council. At this event held in August, SVA supporters were provided with an opportunity to hear Hugh’s thoughts on how the Global Financial Crisis has affected the attitudes and behaviours of Australians. Guests also heard from two of Australia’s leading social entrepreneurs and SVA venture partners, Jack Manning Bancroft from Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and Nick Toonen from Home Hospice.
Hugh Mackay discusses the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Australian community with SVA CEO, Michael Traill. Photo: Jessica Pace
AIME national launch
4 August 2009
In 2005 Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) was established with the goal of increasing Year 10 and 12 completion rates and university admission rates of Indigenous Australian high school students. To achieve this, AIME uses a unique style of structured educational mentoring to link university students in a one-on-one relationship with participating students and is now operating across five university campuses in NSW.
Already over 500 Indigenous high school students receive mentoring from AIME and on 4 August 2009 AIME announced its intention to expand the program nationally.
At the national launch event, generously hosted by the Macquarie Foundation, AIME’s Jack Manning Bancroft and Paul Sinclair gave guests a taste of the kind of interactive program participants experience. Guests also heard from one of AIME’s Directors, Geoff Lovell from Macquarie Group, as well as AIME Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW.
A number of high profile guests also lent their support to the event including Ian Thorpe, Andrew Denton, Jenny Brockie and Jeff McMullen.
Posing the simple question of ‘Will you walk with us?’ AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft presented guests with the opportunity to be involved in a program that is making a real difference to the lives of Indigenous Australian high school students. To find out how you can get involved, simply email info@socialventures.com.au.
AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft exchanges stories with respected journalist, documentary maker and host of SBS TV’s Insight program, Jenny Brockie. hoto: Stephen Antonopolous
Home Hospice annual conference
27-28 November 2009 – register now
Many Australians facing death express a desire to die at home. HOME Hospice was established to provide a voice for these people, their carers and their personal community and family, friends and neighbours at the time when they need access to support and knowledge.
At the HOME Hospice annual conference to be held in Sydney on 27 and 28 November 2009, attendees will be given the rare opportunity to focus on the emotional and human aspects of death and dying. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in conversations about community, spirituality and the significance of dying at home.
For those unable to attend the full conference, you are welcome to attend the wine and cheese evening on the first night of the conference, featuring New Zealand based Irish documentary maker and palliative care specialist Dr Sinead Donnelly speaking about and screening her moving documentary “Going Home”. The screening is at 6 pm on Friday 27 November.
For more information or to register visit: http://www.homehospice.com.au/programs/index.cfm?loadref=60
A persuasive push all the way to university
3 August 2009
On 3 August 2009 an article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald by Nick Galvin, highlighting the work of Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
The article featured an interview with AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft discussing AIME’s progress over the past four years. The program currently operates in five university campuses and provides mentoring to more than 500 Indigenous pupils. AIME now aims to expand nationally and touch more than 5000 Indigenous high school students within five years.
Also included in the article were a number of quotes from mentors and mentees participating in the program.
Read the full article here.
Care needed to stop money going down the drain
1 August 2009
Michael Traill, Chief Executive of SVA, published an opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review on 1 August 2009.
The article focused on the announcement by the Federal Government of a $650 million Jobs Fund package and offered input as to ways in which the funds could be allocated to ensure a real and sustainable difference is achieved.
- Allocating funding to people and organisations with a track record of running sustainable enterprises.
- Supporting new partnership models that combine business funding and skills with a social purpose to create social enterprises.
- Adopting practical evaluations tools such as Social Return on Investment, to measure social and investment outcomes.
For more information or to register visit: http://www.homehospice.com.au/programs/index.cfm?loadref=60
ACT Social Enterprise Hub launch
30 June 2009
The ACT Social Enterprise Hub, a partnership between Social Ventures Australia (SVA), PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Snow Foundation, Mental Health Community Coalition, ACT Health and the Department of Housing and Community Services ACT, was launched by ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope in Canberra on 30 June 2009.
Designed to assist the development and accelerate the growth of social enterprises in the ACT, the Social Enterprise Hub will equip social entrepreneurs, existing enterprises and community organisations with the appropriate tool set to create and sustain their businesses with a social objective.
Over 100 people from across the nation’s capital attended the launch. They heard from one of the first ACT Hub participants, Robert Pedvin, talk passionately talk about his social enterprise Paperworks, which will provide people from marginalised backgrounds with the opportunity to become artisans and earn a living from their work in the Paperworks studio.
Saba Abraham, founder of the Mu’ooz Eritrean restaurant in Brisbane, and a member of the Brisbane Social Enterprise Hub, captured the hearts and minds of the audience with her mesmerising story of the business she founded to train and employ refugee African women, which currently employs 20 women from a refugee background. ‘How’, she said, ‘could we take money from the country which had welcomed and accepted us? Of course we had to work. It is our way to look after ourselves, but also to give back and contribute to Australia.’
SVA, together with various partners, launched the first Social Enterprise Hub in Queensland in 2006. To date this Hub has delivered impressive results to the community, assisting over 40 social enterprises. In the previous financial year the Queensland Hub provided intensive support to 12 enterprises, resulting in 72 new jobs. Three-quarters of these were for people who had previously been long term unemployed. Based on the success of the model in Queensland, a second Social Enterprise Hub was launched in Parramatta in 2007.
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope speaks at the ACT Social Enterprise Hub launch. Photo: Mel Hill Photography
(left to right) Jan Owen AM, executive director of SVA stands with Saba Abraham, founder of Mu’ooz Eritrean restaurant, as she shares the success story of her Queensland-based social enterprise. Photo: Mel Hill Photography
SchoolAid Kids’ Desk Drive launch
30 June 2009
On Tuesday 30 June SVA venture partner, SchoolAid, launched The Kids’ Desk Drive in association with Australia for UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency). This inspiring new ‘kids helping kids initiative’ will empower students from across Australia to reach out and unite to make a difference in the lives of Congolese refugee children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while experiencing and learning about the power of giving.
The appeal was launched by The Kids’ Desk Drive ambassador and Australia for UNHCR Special Representative – Mark Schwarzer OAM, SchoolAid Founder – Sean Gordon, and former refugee – Aminatah Conteh. The appeal will run for three months with the aim to help provide 5,000 desks for the 110 classrooms currently being rehabilitated by the UNHCR in the South Kivu region of the DRC.
(left to right) SchoolAid Founder Sean Gordon, former refugee Aminatah Conteh and UNHCR Special Representative Mark Schwarzer OAM speak at the SchoolAid Kids’ Desk Drive launch.
School for Social Entrepreneurs: ‘from big ideas, great things grow’
16 June 2009
An article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Nick Galvin profiled the School for Social Entrepreneurs and how it’s helping people turn their socially-minded business ideas into successful enterprises. The article featured a number of the innovative Sydney school’s first cohorts, including Rosalinda Perido-Roberts who hopes to help her community in Claymore by teaching them to grow nutritious food in their own back gardens. You can read the full article here.
Cuffe’s philanthropic fund delivers solid results in first year
9 June 2009
Lucinda Beaman from Money Management reports on the first year performance of the Third Link Growth Fund, explaining the fund outperformed its index by more than 17 per cent. The fund was established last year to provide an income stream for Social Ventures Australia. Click here to view the full article.
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Showcasing sustainable change in Indigenous communities
3 & 10 June 2009
In early June, in both Sydney and Melbourne, SVA brought together Indigenous thought leaders with business leaders and philanthropists at a boardroom lunch series, generously supported by the Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation. The event provided SVA Indigenous Investor Circle supporters with an insight into some of the pressing issues for Indigenous communities and showcased inspiring social programs that are working.
Both events were kindly hosted by GSJBW co-CEO, Stephen Fitzgerald. In Sydney, Dr Jackie Huggins, Adjunct Professor at University of Queensland, addressed guests on the current situation in Indigenous affairs, stressing the importance of community led intervention and the need for leadership within the young Indigenous generation. Then Jason Glanville, newly appointed as first CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, was joined in a panel with SVA venture partner CEO Adrian Appo from Ganbina and Leah Armstrong, CEO of the SVA-supported social enterprise Yarnteen to talk about the work each is doing in the sector, as well as the important factors each see as the necessary next steps.
In Melbourne, guests heard from keynote speaker Jodie Sizer, SED Consulting, after which she was joined on a panel by Jack Manning Bancroft, CEO of SVA venture partner, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and Leah Armstrong. The panel discussed some of the main issues facing Indigenous communities in education, governance and economic development and offered their own personal perspectives and experiences on ways of effectively tackling each of them.
Samson & Delilah preview screening
30 April 2009
On 30 April 2009, SVA hosted a preview screening of the film Samson & Delilah in Sydney and Melbourne as part of the SVA Indigenous Investor Circle program for 2009. Written and directed by Indigenous filmmaker Warwick Thornton, Samson & Delilah is a powerful love story that touches on the many issues Indigenous people in remote communities face.
Following the Sydney screening, SVA’s investors heard from Margaret Flynn, CEO Centacare Wilcannia-Forbes and Jason Glanville, Director of Programs and Strategy, Reconciliation Australia and from Adrian Appo, CEO Ganbina in Melbourne. They each discussed the issues presented in the film as well as the possible solutions they seek through their work.
Critically acclaimed in the media, David and Margaret from the ABC’s Movie Show both gave Samson & Delilah five stars, while Jim Schembri from The Age wrote,‘In a nutshell Samson & Delilah is unarguably the most confronting and important film about Indigenous issues yet made in this country’.
Selected for Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Samson & Delilah received a five minute standing ovation following its screening and on 24 May, Warwick Thorton won the Camera d’Or, awarded to a first time director for the best debut feature film at the festival.
SVA is thankful to Footprint films for giving our investors the opportunity to experience the film prior to its release.
The official poster for the award winning Australian movie, Samson & Delilah
On a course to give them help
15 April 2009
Australia’s first school for social entrepreneurs (SSE) was launched in Auburn last week, providing learning and skills development for individuals wanting to help marginalised people, reports Olga Gerloff in the Parramatta Advertiser.
The school will support 18 enterprising individuals to help them with their projects. Based on a UK model, the program of support includes group study sessions, one-to-one tutorials, mentoring sessions and project visits.
Parramatta’s Mars Hill Cafe owner Kevin Crouse is a social entrepreneur whose cafe will provide employment to marginalised young people in the area.
‘Parramatta City Council recommended that I take part in the SSE program because my cafe already supported community-based arts and music,’ Mr Crouse said.
‘Through the school I hope to offer barista training as well as setting up a coffee cart to provide employment for disadvantaged young people.’
SSE Australia is supported by Social Ventures Australia, the School for Social Entrepreneurs UK and Steve Lawrence.
To read the full article, go to the 14 April 2009 edition of the Parramatta Advertiser
A bike, a budgy, a bloke, AIMEin for a dream
10 – 13 April 2009
Over the Easter long weekend, Gi Singh, armed with nothing but a pair of Budgy Smugglers, will ride his bicycle from the Entrance to Port Macquarie (over 300km) to raise money and awareness for the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft is honoured by the commitment of Singh to raising funds with his journey. Manning Bancroft says, ‘I think it’s just a wonderful story. It’s humbling when anyone comes to offer their support to us – but Gi’s journey is a bit more special than your average donation. Plus there is an element of humour and youthfulness with this journey that we can really connect with. We hope everyone can get behind him, and hopefully in the end raise some funds to help us support Indigenous kids through school.’
For more information and to make a donation visit http://www.gofundraise.com.au/gi
School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia launch
1 April 2009
One of SVA’s major Partnership projects of the past 12 months, the incubation of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia, was officially launched at the State Library in Sydney on 1 April 2009.
The goal of SSE Australia is to assist social entrepreneurs in transforming their talent and drive into real social outcomes. The School’s programs will enable social entrepreneurs to establish effective, sustainable community projects and initiatives that meet social and community needs.
The School’s first cohort of 18 students for 2009 come from all walks of life and backgrounds including Sudanese refugees, young people, community development workers, PhDs and business people in previous lives. The projects they have brought to the School are equally diverse – chai tea enterprises from India and Africa, a healthy eating and weight loss enterprise, a girls school in Sudan, men’s sheds, arts projects and young people’s enterprise development to name a few.
The students will learn using a unique and deeply practical ‘action learning’ methodology which is delivered by a team of highly skilled practitioners, subject matter experts, tutors and mentors.
The School’s establishment has been supported financially by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the Westpac Foundation.
For more information about the SSE and its first group of cohorts visit the SSE website at www.sse.org.au.
First Angel Investor Network Forum 2009 takes place in Sydney
17 March 2009
The first Sydney Angel Investor Network Forum – Practical Insights into the Australian Social Sector – was held on Thursday 17 March.
Jan Owen, SVA executive director, presented to the group on the indicators and recurring characteristics that are found in areas of high social disadvantage and the need for collaborative intervention across all these indicators to create lasting social change.
Three leading figures in philanthropy in Australia, Carol Schwartz, chair of Our Community, Kerry Graham, CEO of Inspire Foundation and Fiona Higgins, manager of the Fairfax family office, shared some of their philanthropic experiences in a panel session format. Kerry Graham discussed her involvement in the Social Inclusion Board and provided insight into Government’s current key areas of social focus, Carol Schwartz talked about her experience with Our Community and also the importance of collaboration, while Fiona Higgins provided her thoughts about what to look for when supporting a non-profit organisation, as well as examples of the questions to ask an organisation before making a social investment.
The next AIN Forum in Sydney will be held on Thursday 18 June and will provide a look at the broader Australian philanthropic landscape and include case studies from two inspiring women philanthropists.
Click here for more information about AIN.
Altruism pays off for SVA consultant
11 February 2009
SVA consultant Tabita Roorda has been offered a $50,000 scholarship to work towards her MBA at the INSEAD business school near Paris. The scholarship, from the Macquarie Foundation, has traditionally gone to aspiring high-flying corporate executives. Ms Roorda said she wanted to use the MBA to continue developing her professional skills.
‘I want to be sure that I’m up to speed with organisational and human-resources tools so I can keep creating value in the non-for-profit sector,’ she said.
Macquarie’s support of Ms Roorda, writes Andrew Trounson in The Australian, reflects a global trend in business education, moving to embrace the growing social and environmental responsibility of students and business people.
Ms Roorda will study for a year at Fontainebleau, just outside of Paris, starting in August.
SVA venture partners helping Victorian bushfire victims
12 February 2009
The team at SVA, like all Australians, is deeply saddened by the devastation and tragedy left in the wake of the Victorian bushfires. At such a time, when so many Victorians are affected and struggling to come to terms with their new reality, we are heartened to know that SVA-supported ventures are doing their bit to help. FEO, situated in Eaglehawk, is helping the local community to re-build after a number of homes were destroyed. Meanwhile, SchoolAid and Kildonan UnitingCare have also launched appeals to help those in need.
SchoolAid has launched an emergency online appeal to encourage children across the country fundraise and help other children who have been affected by the fires. An Emergency Appeal Action Kit with fundraising tips and ideas, teacher resources and information about how schools can get involved is now available online at www.schoolaid.org.au. Since its launch on 11 February, almost 300 schools have signed up to the appeal.
Kildonan UnitingCare, through its site at Whittlesea, has been offering much needed emergency relief, assistance and support to the local community and the hundreds of people now living in temporary accommodation. They are working with local agencies, government and networks to provide immediate assistance in the form of financial support for school books and uniforms and vouchers for groceries and mobile phone recharge cards and family counseling. Longer term support with financial counselling to ensure people can access their entitlements and develop strategies for financial stability will be Kildonan’s key role. Further information on Kildonan’s work can be found on their website www.kildonan.unitingcare.org.au
SVA is thankful that these supported ventures are able to react quickly to help those most in need. We look forward to supporting more innovative social entrepreneurs in the future who will be well placed to deal with whatever challenges they and their communities may face.
Something’s got to give, or maybe not
10 February 2009
As corporate donations start to diminish, charities have begun to cut back on the programs they offer, writes Emma Connors in The Australian Financial Review. Mission Australia has been forced to drop one of its youth programs after a key corporate sponsor pulled out. The Smith Family’s executive director, Paul Henderson, says he expects 2009 ’will be a very challenging year’.
SVA chief executive Michael Traill says he is ’guardedly optimistic’ about the year ahead, believing organisations with proven programs will continue to attract support. SVA will focus on existing programs rather than pursuing new ones.
‘We used to get calls from individuals who had done well or from organisations that had more funding than expected and were prepared to be generous,’ Mr Traill said. ’We can’t expect that to happen this year.’
These directors, too, can be put under pressure
7 February 2009
As the economic crisis places pressure on non-profit organisations, those groups should take the time to ensure that their board is fulfilling its role, writes Michael Traill in an opinion piece for The Australian Financial Review.
Mr Traill suggests that board members should not be held to lower standards simply because they are volunteers. Regular reviews of performance should be undertaken and directors should be added or removed where necessary.
Board members should also, where possible, use their skills, experience and time to aid their organisations. Ideally, a board member would bring a balance of ‘work, wealth and wisdom’ to the table.
Directors should take the time to understand the organisation and its programs, and to be actively engaged with the organisation. And they should assist to attract funding funding, either by giving directly or through their networks. Finally, board members should be able to provide perspective and guidance to the organisation they direct.
A drive to help people survive
18 January 2009
Alex Shead and the SVA-backed Fair Business were featured in the Talking Shop section of The Sunday Telegraph on 18 January 2009.
Alex was interviewed by Elias Jahshan about the social enterprise sector and why he wanted to set-up Fair Business, a non-profit organisation that buys and grows businesses, creating new jobs for long-term unemployment people. When asked about his most memorable moment working with Fair Business, Alex replied ‘Fair Business was formed late last year so the most memorable moments to date have been acquiring two businesses quickly. Eventually we plan to hand over each business to its employees, giving them the chance to own shares and control the business’s future. When this starts to happen I believe that my involvement will be my proudest achievement.’