Philanthropic advocacy as an ally to the social enterprise sector

With renewed Federal Government attention on the social enterprise sector, we’re standing in a rare moment: a genuine window where coordinated advocacy can shape policy, unlock opportunity, and accelerate the sector’s long‑term impact. The question now is, what role should philanthropy play, and how can we be the kind of ally the sector actually needs?

Join us for the next Social Enterprise Funders Network gathering as we dive into exactly that.

Drawing directly from what social enterprises are calling for – and what’s resonating inside government particularly around the current employment services overhaul – Jess Moore (Social Enterprise Australia) will unpack where the strongest advocacy opportunities are emerging and why they matter right now.

Then, Ryan Ginard (Minderoo Foundation) will lift the lid on Minderoo’s advocacy strategy and the lessons they’re uncovering about how philanthropy can meaningfully shape sector‑wide impact.

Together they will then take a step back and explore philanthropy’s role: where our support is most catalytic, where it can unintentionally get in the way, and how we can contribute to advocacy efforts that genuinely shift systems.

Whether you’re deeply engaged in advocacy or just beginning to explore it, this session will illuminate why this moment is so pivotal, and what each of us can do to help create a more enabling policy environment that strengthens outcomes for the entire social enterprise ecosystem. This session intentionally leans into the social enterprise national strategy priority area of Connect and align: Collaboration infrastructure, First Nations-led roadmap, and shared narrative and advocacy.

Speakers:

• Jess Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Social Enterprise Australia
• Ryan Ginard, Head of Sector Development and Innovation

Audience:

This event is for Philanthropy Australia Social Enterprise Funders Network members only.

We welcome funding members at Impact or Engage membership level and are funding or are interested in funding social enterprises.

Not a member at this level? Please reach out to [email protected].

Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership.