15 years of firsts at Sefa
Since 2011, Sefa has been backing bold initiatives across Australia. Let's take a look at a few that Sefa has helped bring to life.
Australia’s first social franchise model
Tender Funerals is Australia's first social franchise model, providing affordable and culturally sensitive funerals that put people before profit. To help expand this innovative approach, Sefa supported Tender in funding three social franchisee sites in Illawarra, the mid North Coast and Canberra. Sefa also validated their business plan and financial model that led to a sustainable funding solution.
"Sefa really believed in and backed our vision despite all of the challenges that we faced getting the project off the ground.”
JENNY BRISCOE-HOUGH, General Manager, Tender Funerals
Australia's first accredited online special assistance school
Sefa backs Inventorium's innovative approach to education, to ensure no student is left behind. Inventorium aims to bridge the gap between disengagement and employability, providing students from all across Australia with a personalised education that helps them succeed in the future they aspire to. A loan from Sefa is funding the set-up and working capital for Inventorium Academy, a new special assistance school in Adelaide.
Australia’s first architect-led, not-for-profit housing model
Thriving communities need places where people can put down roots. That's why Sefa backs Nightingale Housing, an innovative housing model that make sustainable, affordable homes a reality. Nightingale Housing is a not-for-profit, architect-led housing developer delivering homes that are socially, financially and environmentally sustainable, building homes for people, not profit. An early advocate for the model, Sefa provided a construction loan and built a syndicate that funded Nightingale’s first pilot development.
Australia's first social enterprise influenced by The Hobbit films
Creating stronger communities also means protecting the places we call home. Sometimes that means restoring the natural environment for people to connect with. Sefa supported the creation of Wildlife Wonders, securing the ideal site which helped to restore the land into a thriving ecosystem for endangered native species. The natural space was then designed by Brian Massey, board member of Wildlife Wonders and Art Director of The Hobbit films!
"Sefa played an instrumental role in supporting us – providing a founding loan which enabled the purchases of the ideal site for our social enterprise”
LIZZIE CORKE, Chief executive, Wildlife Wonders
Australia's first 12-step drug and alcohol residential rehab
Sefa proudly supports Sydney Retreat, an accessible, not-for-profit residential drug and alcohol rehab program adopting the 12-step model, designed for people to rebuild their lives. Sefa assisted with a loan which enabled them to secure their building in Stanmore, design the facility and lodge an application for purpose-built communal areas and accommodation.
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