Social Enterprises pivoting under pressure

Most of us have witnessed various businesses pivoting their models during the COVID-19 crisis, such as Sydney gin distillery Archie Rose keeping their bar staff employed by manufacturing hand sanitiser. Or live events company, Stagekings, building desks for the thousands of Australians suddenly working from home.

But what about the social enterprises? How are they doing in these tough times? We went in search of some positives coming out of the sector and even found a few of our own clients making the best of their current circumstances.

Tender Funerals

The funeral industry has been thrust into the spotlight during the pandemic, with restrictions on the number of mourners allowed to gather to honour their loved ones. Recently the limit was raised from the original rule of 10 mourners, up to 50 mourners. 

 Sefa client, Tender Funerals, have been exploring ways of supporting people through the restrictions. In order to allow more mourners to physically attend a funeral, the organisation is giving people the option of having two ceremonies for one person, having a celebrant call in and conduct the ceremony from afar, or having families act as the celebrant themselves. 

 Aboriginal Land Council in Amaroo, NSW

Although unrelated to COVID-19, another example from one of Sefa’s clients demonstrates the resilience with which purpose-driven organisations can respond to disaster and transform it into a positive outcome for their community.

The Aboriginal Land Council in Amaroo, NSW, was able to secure a catering contract with the Rural Fire Service during and following Australia’s recent disastrous bushfire season. The revenue allowed them to pay off their remaining Sefa loan that they had sought to set their cafe up.

Farmwall

Farmwall develops tools, technologies and experiences to enhance wellbeing by engaging people to grow food in their living, working and learning environments.

Over the last three months, with the support of TDi, Farmwall has piloted the first program of Farmwall Home.

With 89 people signed up for the pioneering cohort, they are now experiencing how growing food indoors can engage the whole family in conversations around nutrition, healthy eating, sustainability and climate change. Cohort 2 will launch in October 2020, sign up now.

The Big Issue

 In April our friends at The Big Issue launched a digital version of their much-loved magazine.

 The magazine is normally sold on the streets by Big Issue vendors; people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. COVID-19 has temporarily put a hold on this model.

 The digital version can be accessed on demand, on any device, for $9 - the same price of their normal magazine. Half of the funds from each sale goes to their newly established Hardship Fund, to provide support to at-risk vendors.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity’s overseas volunteering program has been completely shut down. Their Gala Dinner fundraising event has been cancelled. Donations have rapidly decreased. Habitat for Humanity decided to shift their fundraising online while helping people stay fit during the Covid-19 shutdown. Every dollar raised through the CoFIT-19 challenge will help fund Habitat’s life-changing work in providing safe housing and independence for vulnerable communities.

Have you heard a good news story about an Australian social enterprise? Please get in touch to share with us.