Deadline: 31-Aug-2025
The Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) Grants Program is designed to help social enterprises, including trading Indigenous-owned or controlled organizations, grow their operations, scale their impact, and further their missions to drive positive social change.
Each grant is valued at up to $120,000 and aims to support these organizations in becoming more efficient and effective in demonstrating and increasing their social impact within the communities they serve.
SEDI Grant funds must be used to purchase business and capability-building services that contribute to the growth of the enterprise’s social impact. These services must be delivered by intermediaries and completed within six months of the grant being awarded.
The grant application includes a list of pre-approved capability-building services, though social enterprises may also propose services not on the list if they support their growth. Services can include support for systems implementation, IT, HR, inventory, accounting, financial management, marketing strategy, social procurement, investor pitch development, and scaling operations. A portion of internal costs—up to 20% of the total grant—can also be covered to support these service purchases.
Once awarded, grant recipients are required to develop both an Impact Measurement Framework and a Business Plan during the grant period if these are not already in place.
The SEDI Grant cannot be used for general or operational expenses. This includes buying property, buildings, land, or vehicles; renovating spaces; paying staff salaries; maintaining IT systems; covering rent or office supplies; or any administrative overheads unrelated to capability building. Activities unrelated to the core purpose of the grant or unapproved international travel are also ineligible.
To apply, organizations must be social enterprises or trading Indigenous-owned or controlled bodies with a defined social benefit. They must make a direct impact in one or more outcome areas defined by the Department of Social Services (DSS) and provide benefits to Australians experiencing entrenched disadvantage. Applicants must be based in Australia, have primarily Australian beneficiaries, and earn at least $50,000 in annual trading revenue. While early-stage organizations are eligible, they must be beyond the start-up phase and have plans to scale their impact.
For more information, visit Impact Investing Australia.
