Eight organisations would share more than $650,000 in State Government funding for not-for-profit groups, to establish or strengthen their social enterprises, Premier Colin Barnett announced today.
The funding would help the organisations to undertake new businesses to benefit Western Australian communities or to strengthen their existing social enterprise businesses.
"The Social Enterprise Fund was established in April 2012 with the aim of increasing the number, effectiveness and efficiency of social enterprises in WA," Mr Barnett said.
"The grants will help these eight organisations to establish a trading business which furthers the aims of their organisation - as an example, providing employment for disadvantaged people - and makes money which can then be ploughed back into the organisation.
"This grants program will make many not-for-profit organisations more sustainable in the long term."
Among the successful applicants are the Midland Information, Debt and Legal Advocacy Service (MIDLAS) which has been granted $200,000 to establish MIDLAS Media, offering training, consultation and film production services to the not-for-profit sector.
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, a native title representative body, will receive $172,045 to develop YM Services, which will support Aboriginal traditional owners in business development; community planning and development; and heritage protection.
Other grants have been allocated to PK Artists, an arts production and distribution service for Aboriginal artists in the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku ($35,000); MercyCare's Affordable Housing for Life enterprise ($36,000), which will employ at-risk young people in the construction of affordable housing; and Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local which will be granted $75,000 towards the establishment of a health clinic for seniors.
"The list of grant recipients highlights the variety of organisations working in a wide range of areas to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people and the creative approaches many not-for-profit organisations have taken to improving and expanding their services," the Premier said.
"The Liberal National Government is pleased to be able to help these organisations through this Social Enterprise Funds program."
The first round of Social Enterprise Grants received 106 applications for funding and was assessed by an independent advisory group which made recommendations to the Premier.
Funding recommendations were made in four batches with 41 projects receiving $3,556,745 of grants in round one.
Round two applications for the Social Enterprise Fund has opened with applications closing on May 3, 2013.
Fact File
Liberal National Government launched $10million Social Enterprise Fund to help establish and support social enterprises in WA. Full list of successful applicants for this round of funding:
YM Consulting Pty Ltd to support Aboriginal traditional owners in business development; community planning and development; and heritage protection ($172,045)
Midland Information Debt and Legal Advocacy Service to establish MIDLAS Media, to offer training, consultation and film production services to the not-for-profit sector ($200,000)
MercyCare to employ at-risk young people in the construction of affordable housing ($36,000)
Papulankutja Artists Aboriginal Corporation will get $35,000 to support its arts production and distribution service for Aboriginal artists
Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local which will be granted $75,000 towards the establishment of a health clinic for seniors
Strive Warren Blackwood Inc to establish a biodiesel enterprise to sell refined fuel to local councils and retail customers ($30,000)
KULCHA to expand its range of community events ($50,000)
Active Greening Inc to connect communities through planting and growing trees ($55,000)
More information at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au
Since 2008, Liberal National Govt has allocated unprecedented $604million to support not-for-profit sector in providing quality services to WA community
Premier's office - 6552 5000
