Australia’s not-for-profit sector is changing and measuring social returns is becoming increasingly important to business-savvy social enterprises.

Social Enterprises, Funding And Reality

Peter Cox of Future Employment Opportunities – a Melbourne-based non-profit that operates several ventures – places value on the understanding that is generated by careful analysis. He says:

“Non-Profit organisations usually get bogged down in the day-to-day running of their operations…We see measuring impact in a totally different light.”

Simon Waivel of Social Ventures Australia says small social ventures that think they might lack the time or skill set required for SROI (Social Return On Investment) analysis can measure the impact during their regular planning process or when doing their budget.

Terry Alan Farris of Unitus Capital says the lack of development of a sustainable funding market for social enterprises is a challenge but financial planners and their clients, including charitable foundations, are starting to ask if they can take a portion of their ‘investable’ assets and make a difference while getting an acceptable financial return on their investment.

The Inaugural Social Returns Forum

The 3 Pillars Network creates, measures and invests in social change. Its inaugural Social Returns Forum will bring together industry leaders and highly experienced grant makers working in this field to explore:

  • the intricacies of social impact measurement
  • the business case for corporate investors
  • the development of social lending opportunities

Speakers will include:

Alex McDonald, Executive Director, Wise Foundation and Director, Body Shop Australia on Disruptive Innovation in Social Change

Gianni Zappala, Executive Officer, Westpac Foundation, Centre for Social Impact and others on – Connecting the Head and the Heart

Kevin Robbie, Social Ventures Australia on Reconciling Financial and Social Returns

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Forum Details

Date 25 October 2010
Venue Westpac Auditorium, 275 Kent St Sydney
Cost $195 Earlybird
Contact Name Anne Cameron
Contact Phone 02 9810 2164
Contact Email anne@3pillarsnetwork.com.au
Website http://www.3pillarsnetwork.com.au

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