The social enterprise sector is brimming with exciting developments (sign up to Social Change Central if you haven’t yet for your weekly dose of inspiration and information).

Alongside new opportunities - it’s also a challenging time for some social enterprises. If you’re worried about your business model, you’re not alone.

Many social enterprises (and businesses everywhere) have been feeling the pressure in recent months. Preparing budgets that don't add up. Looking at cutting costs and the trade-offs that need to be managed. Having to ask staff to pick up more, knowing that they will, but that burnout is real.

The storm will pass, but in the meantime – let's have the conversations about the struggle out loud.

If you’re having to make hard choices at the moment – we see you. Hold the bigger picture and longer term in mind. If we know nothing else about the social enterprise sector, we know that it’s resilient. Keep going.

And if you’re one of the social enterprises continuing to grow, now is a good time to check in with your social enterprise peers.

We’re continuing to do everything we can to generate more trade revenue for social enterprises. We’re out advocating to the business community and across all governments around the country – to buy from and support social enterprises.

Because social enterprise needs to be business as usual.

What's coming up?

Spotlight on social enterprises as the pioneers for business to follow

Businesses are starting to focus on delivering social value. For example, 76% of leaders expect their company’s investment in social impact initiatives to rise over the next 12 months (2025 Executive CSR Report) and 94% of CFOs believe social will be an important priority in 2030 (The ESG Revolution – KPMG Australia).

That’s why after working with over 300 businesses on social procurement since 2017, we’re now expanding our services into social performance.

And to do that we’ll be spotlighting new ways that businesses should be partnering with and learning from social enterprises. Because social enterprises are the proof point that profit, and purpose can go hand in hand.

Positive conversations with Government

Great to be working with SECNA as the NSW Government consults on the definition of social enterprise. This consultation is a direct result of the collaborative advocacy Social Traders and SECNA delivered to the Inquiry into Procurement. More to come on this!

We presented at the Federal Government’s Procurement Community of Practice to 400 procurement professionals. We’re talking with the Department of Finance about what social procurement looks like at Federal level.

Queensland Government is currently asking for input into Office of Social Impact priorities. We’ll be advocating for social procurement including spend targets for social enterprise, certification and compliance measures in QLD, like we have in NSW and VIC. If you have services in Queensland, you can participate in the consultation here.

Certification at an all-time high

Demand for certification was up again last month - 16% more applications than the same time last year.

And despite economic uncertainty, most certified social enterprises are growing. Our data shows that 76% increased their trading revenue and 66% increased their impact costs (the costs of delivering their purpose) in April.

New program: Adapt for Impact

Thanks to Minderoo Foundation, we're running a program with White Box Enterprises and QUT to strengthen the financial independence of 10 charities across Queensland. It's a fully paid program and the EOI is now open, find out more and apply.

The flagship Grow program is expanding

Our Grow program supports social enterprises to grow their trade revenue and make the most of social procurement opportunities. Next financial year we’ll be running four Grow programs nationally, supporting 40 social enterprises to achieve their growth goals.

National awards – get your applications in!

Applications for the Game Changer Awards are open now, celebrating the pioneers across the sector.

The closing date is Friday, 6 June. I encourage you to take the opportunity to reflect on the fantastic work you’re doing and tell your story. Learn more about the award categories and apply today.

Convene is back – early bird tickets on sale now

The largest sector conference is back for its 11th year. Convene 2025 is on 17 September in Melbourne. Early bird tickets are now on sale but won’t last long with 50% already sold. So, get in quick!

In the next couple of months, I’ll be speaking at the Women in Procurement Conference, the Social Enterprise Jobs Summit on 11 June and at the Social Impact Summit on 2 July (our members get a discount promo code SIS2025ST).

I’m looking forward to continuing to get out and about to advocate for this wonderful sector with government and business, so we can make social enterprise business as usual.

Warm regards,

Tara Anderson

CEO Social Traders