Social Enterprise Funder Network meeting

When

Thurday 19 October 2023

12.00pm – 1.00pm AEDT (ACT, NSW, TAS, VIC)

11.30am – 12.30pm ACDT (SA)

11.00am – 12.00pm (QLD)

10.30am – 11.30am ACST (NT)

9.00pm – 10.00am AWST (WA)

Online event

A Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Aims

• Explore research findings and outline an approach towards impact cost estimation for social enterprises.
• Describe a foundation’s strategic shift underpinned by the application of research and sector insights.
• Share insights and latest trends from the Social Enterprise World Forum 2023.

Overview

The Social Enterprise network (a sub-group of the Jobs & Skills Funders Network) is open to all foundations and funder members of Philanthropy Australia, and convenes with the objective of growing awareness of and philanthropic practice within the evolving social enterprise sector.  

In this session, hear Libby Ward-Christie and her team at CSI Swinburne discuss findings of their recently completed research report, “Understanding the impact cost structures of jobs-focused social enterprise”. Libby will provide an overview of this critical research and their proposed framework and approach to enable other social enterprises to undertake a similar process to estimate their impact costs.

Nicola Stokes, GAICD, General Manager of AMP Foundation, is also joining the network meeting. In her first year heading up the AMP Foundation, she has led a renewed focus on social enterprises and the support needed along the stages of their life cycle. Nicola will share with us how and why AMP Foundation refocused their approach and the sector insights underpinning their new strategy. She will also provide us with a first-hand insight into SEWF 2023 in Amsterdam.

Sally McGeoch, co-chair of the Social enterprise sub-group, will wrap up the session with an outline of the next steps for the Social Enterprise network.

This session is a knowledge-sharing and capacity-building opportunity for funders and foundations interested in implementing similar assessments within their own organisations.

Please note:

• Presenters will share their thoughts and views in conversation but will not offer any financial advice.

Audience

This event is for Philanthropy Australia funder members only. If you want to find out more about the philanthropic work in this area, please reach out to [email protected].

Presenters

Libby Ward-Christie – Director, Centre for Social Impact Swinburne

Libby is a recognised leader in not-for-profit and social enterprise strategy and management. 

She joined the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne (CSI Swinburne) in 2017 as Principal Industry Fellow and is the Founder and Director of The Swinburne Social Startup Studio. In 2022 she was appointed as Director of CSI Swinburne.

In her role at CSI, Libby works across both teaching and research, and is a member of the Centre Management Team. She lectures in social entrepreneurship and is a leader and member of several CSI research projects relating to social enterprise and social finance. With over 20 years’ experience in the community sector, Libby is a recognised leader in social enterprise strategy, with technical expertise in business strategy, governance, capital provision and operations, with a focus on social enterprises that address disadvantage. 

Nicola Stokes, GAICD – General Manager, AMP Foundation; Director, Community Council of Australia

Nicola has held national and international leadership positions as CEO, senior executive, and director.

With a track record in the banking, financial services and for-purpose arenas, Nicola believes that developing partnerships which result in increased market share or revenue in addition to operational excellence, are key capabilities for any executive.

Nicola practices a leadership philosophy with positive psychology at its core as a way of creating environments within which individuals and ideas thrive. Nicola thrives in the complexity of positive and intelligent engagement with a variety of competing stakeholders, while effectively balancing the positive tension between relationship-driven and governance-focused organisations.

Network co-chairs

Belinda Morrissey – Chief Executive Officer, English Family Foundation

Belinda is CEO at the English Family Foundation, Chair of ActionAid Australia, is on the Advisory Board bringing the Social Enterprise World Forum to Australia and on the Advisory Board of the Social Impact Hub.

She has an extensive leadership background in both corporate and not-for-profit organisations, with a particular focus on philanthropy as catalytic capital to develop the social enterprise sector and drive social change.

Sally McGeoch – Senior Advisor, Westpac Foundation

Sally is a senior advisor at Westpac Foundation, a philanthropic organisation, independent from Westpac Group. Sally works on the design and delivery of grant programs that support community organisations and social enterprises to improve the quality of life and create education and employment opportunities for disadvantaged Australians.

Sally has worked at the intersection of philanthropy, business and social enterprise for close to 10 years and was a founding member of The Bread & Butter Project.