Resource library

The Funding Centre

Platforms

The Funding Centre is a portal providing information on grants and fundraising in Australia. It is an initiative of Our Community, a social enterprise that provides advice, tools and training for Australia’s community sector, as well as services for business and government.

The future of management is teal

Articles

Frederic Laloux's article explores Teal organisations, a progressive management model emphasising self-management, wholeness, and purpose. It outlines organisational paradigms, highlights successful examples, and offers insights for social enterprises to balance purpose and effectiveness, even with partial adoption.

The Governance of Social Enterprises: Managing your Organisation for Success

Guides

This guidebook, made by and for social entrepreneurs, covers building effective boards to balance social mission with financial goals. It includes advice on governance structures, board composition, recruitment, roles, and managing conflicts, highlighting how governance needs evolve as social enterprises grow.

The Illustrated Guide to Participatory City

Guides

This guide introduces the Participatory City model, designed to create vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods through active resident engagement in practical projects. It offers principles, methods, and insights for addressing social challenges and building community resilience, serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, community leaders, and organisations.

The Lean Startup Summary

Videos

In this video, Erik Abrahmsson shares his key takeaways from the Eric Ries book, The Lean Startup. He distils them into five key principles. Erik suggests that by following this "build-measure-learn" cycle, startups can reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase their chances of creating products that truly meet customer needs.

The Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative (NCEC) Evaluation Report and Research Project

Reports

This report explores the work and impact of Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative. It shows how a community-owned enterprise can create jobs, support inclusion, and build local economic participation. The resource highlights the value of co-operative models for strengthening communities and creating meaningful social impact.

The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

E-books

Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas explores ethical dilemmas, moral boundaries, and collective responsibility. This powerful story serves as a lens for leaders facing difficult choices between systemic stability and moral courage, prompting reflection on individual rights, collective good, and principled action.

Theory of Change

Videos

A Theory of Change explains how actions lead to change. It shows the link between goals, activities, and results. This short video uses a simple example to show how the tool can help you set clear goals and map the steps needed to reach them.

Theory of Change Step by Step | Why Nonprofits Need This Framework

Videos

This video explains the Theory of Change, a tool that helps organisations plan and measure their social impact. It breaks down key parts of the model, including inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact. The video also shares practical tips for improving impact measurement and involving stakeholders in the process.

The RegenNarration Podcast: Stories of Ecological Regeneration

Podcasts

The RegenNarration Podcast showcases inspiring stories of ecological regeneration and community resilience, featuring leaders in conservation, sustainable farming, and Indigenous land management. Through interviews with activists, scientists, and community leaders, the podcast explores innovative approaches to sustainability and regenerative practices. It offers practical insights and resources, empowering individuals and communities to contribute to environmental regeneration and build a more resilient future.

The Sleeping Giant Rises

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This report from Supply Nation looks at the growth of First Nations businesses in Australia. It shows how these businesses are creating jobs, building strong communities, and contributing to the economy. The report also highlights the opportunities and challenges for future growth.

The Social Entrepreneur's Playbook

Books

This is a paid resource. Written by Ian C. MacMillan and James D. Thompson and published in 2013, the book provides clear, step-by-step guidance on how to start and grow a successful social enterprise, based on the authors’ experience in entrepreneurship and social innovation.

The State of Social Enterprise

Reports

This report from the World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship provides an overview of the social enterprise sector worldwide. It highlights key trends, challenges, and opportunities, and calls for stronger ecosystems, supportive policy, and increased investment to help social enterprises grow and scale their impact.

The Story Canvas

Guides

Discover the Story Canvas—a practical tool to craft impactful, strategic stories tailored to your needs. Designed by Digital Storytellers, this downloadable canvas simplifies storytelling for nonprofits, social enterprises, and impact organisations. With step-by-step guidance and resources, it helps you create engaging stories that inspire action and advance your cause effectively.

The Water-of Systems Change

Reports

This framework highlights how to create sustainable social impact by addressing systemic factors that maintain social and environmental challenges. It introduces three levels of systems change (structural, relational, and transformative) emphasising the importance of shifting policies, power dynamics, and deep-seated beliefs. By engaging at all levels, organisations can drive meaningful, lasting change that is resilient, inclusive, and adaptable.

Think Neurodivergence: Autistic Pride and Entrepreneurship

Webinars

Just Gold held an interactive webinar to share insights and lived experiences from autistic social entrepreneurs and encourage the social enterprise sector to create inclusive, affirming environments for neurodiverse thinking and practice.

Three Horizons Framework - a quick introduction

Videos

The ‘Three Horizons Framework’, developed by Bill Sharpe, is a strategic tool for managing long-term transformation. It maps three phases of change—current systems (Horizon 1), visionary futures (Horizon 3), and the transition zone (Horizon 2)—helping organisations navigate innovation and address emerging challenges. Widely used in future thinking and strategic planning, the framework offers practical steps for bridging the present with transformative visions.

Transforming the Public Plate

Reports

This guide explains how organisations can use their food purchasing to create positive social and environmental impact. It shows how buying decisions can support local producers, fair work, and sustainability, helping organisations use their spending power to drive better outcomes.

Truth-telling in Social Enterprise: A Deep History

Webinars

This resource is currently being developed. If you would like to be notified when it is published, please email team@understorey.org.au.

Truth-Telling Resource Hub

First Nations

Guides

First Nations

This resource page from Reconciliation Australia shares learning materials about truth-telling in Australia. It includes guides, reports and videos that explain what truth-telling is and why it matters for reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sets out the global standards for the rights, dignity and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples. Adopted by the United Nations in 2007, it affirms Indigenous Peoples’ rights to culture, land, self-determination and participation in decision making. The Declaration guides governments, organisations and communities toward respectful and fair relationships.

Unlocking Social Procurement Opportunities: Two-part workshop series | workshop 1

Webinars

QSEC, ArcBlue and Gov Ready held an interactive webinar exploring what it means for social enterprises to be procurement ready. Drawing on experience across government and private sector procurement, the session shared practical strategies to help social enterprises position themselves effectively, communicate their value, and demonstrate capability.

Unpacking the Social Economy

Webinars

Co-operative Bonds held an informative webinar exploring how social enterprises and co-operatives contribute to the broader social and solidarity economy. The session unpacked global developments, local examples, and practical tools for embedding co-operative values into governance, community ownership, and sustainable business models.

Using the Business Model Canvas for Social Enterprise Design

Guides

This booklet looks beyond the Business Model Canvas as a general tool. It explains how Ingrid Burkett, an Australian social entrepreneur, adapts the Canvas for social enterprises. The booklet guides you step by step on how to use the Canvas to suit social purpose work.

Value of Good Impact Measurement

Webinars

This resource is currently being developed. If you would like to be notified when it is published, please email team@understorey.org.au.

Ventures at the Helm

Guides

This report is a practical guide to impact measurement and management. It explains how enterprises can build strong impact strategies and shows that different approaches are needed at different stages of growth. Rather than using one model for everyone, it encourages flexible, stage-based impact practices.

Voices on Work: Young People with Disability in Greater Melbourne

Reports

This report by SVA and CYDA explores the employment experiences of young people with disability in Greater Melbourne. It highlights barriers, workplace challenges, and opportunities for creating inclusive and meaningful employment pathways.

Wathaga: Measurement and Evaluation (M&E) platform

First Nations

Platforms

First Nations

Wathaga is an online tool made for First Nations programs and organisations. It helps teams collect, store and understand data in a safe and respectful way. Wathaga is built to protect community ownership of data and support cultural values and ethical use.

#Web3for2030: How can Web3 help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Reports

This UNDP report examines how Web3 technologies like blockchain and decentralised finance can drive social innovation and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides an accessible overview of Web3, highlights its potential for systemic change in areas like finance and governance, and addresses key adoption challenges, including digital exclusion and environmental concerns.

Wellbeing Matters Guide

Guides

The "Wellbeing Matters Guide" offers insights from social enterprise leaders, particularly in regional, rural, and remote areas. It provides resources to support leaders in enhancing their wellbeing and effectiveness by sharing real-life experiences.

What does Truth-telling for Social Change Look Like?

First Nations

Webinars

First Nations

BlakCast hosted a powerful webinar exploring the role of truth-telling in social change. In collaboration with John-Paul Janke, Joshua Creamer, and Stacey Thomas, the session examined how organisations can support healing, justice, and reconciliation by centring equity, community, and courageous conversations.

What is a social enterprise?

Other

A social enterprise is a business that puts people and the planet first. They trade like any other business but exist specifically to make the world a better place.

What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?

Articles

This blog introduces the concept of ethical leadership, where decisions prioritise integrity, societal impact, and the common good. It outlines six key principles—respect, accountability, service, honesty, justice, and community—that foster trust, equity, and collaboration in leadership practices.

‘What Is Psychological Safety?', McKinsey

Articles

Psychological safety is crucial for innovation, teamwork, and organisational success. This article highlights its role in fostering inclusive and high-performing cultures. It outlines leadership strategies to build trust, such as open dialogue, curiosity, and equitable participation. Learn how consultative, supportive, and challenging leadership styles enhance team resilience, creativity, and productivity, particularly in remote and hybrid work environments.

What is Steward-Ownership? The 2 principles of Steward-ownership

Guides

This website explores steward-ownership, a business model that protects purpose and independence. It separates control from profit so decisions stay with people committed to the mission, while profits are reinvested or used to support long-term impact.

What Will It Take? Creating Better, More Sustainable Jobs for Young People

Reports

This report by Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and AEN, with analysis by PwC Consulting, examines barriers to youth employment in Australia. It explores employer challenges, systemic issues, and solutions to improve career pathways for young people, particularly those outside university pathways.

Where good ideas come from

Videos

Steven Johnson is an author who studies how new ideas are created. In this video, he explains the main ideas from his book 'Where Do Good Ideas Come From?' He shares common patterns seen in history during times when creativity and innovation were strong, and what we can learn from them.

Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organizations, and How to Become One

Articles

This article explores inclusive leadership, which fosters belonging, psychological safety, and respect within diverse teams. It highlights six traits—commitment, humility, bias awareness, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration—demonstrating how inclusive leaders drive team performance, decision-making, and collaboration through consistent behaviours.

Why the Lean Start-up Changes Everything

Articles

This article by entrepreneur and educator Steve Blank was published in the Harvard Business Review in 2013. It introduces the lean startup method, which focuses on testing ideas quickly, listening to customer feedback, and improving products step by step.

Wisdom & Action

Podcasts

The Wisdom & Action Podcast by Small Giants Academy features host Berry Liberman in dialogue with global thinkers, exploring how to transform wisdom into meaningful interventions that address systemic challenges and shape a hopeful future.

WISE in Practice: Insights from the WISE Learn Book

Webinars

This session brings together voices from across the social enterprise ecosystem to share what’s been learned from over two decades of funding and supporting Work Integrated Social Enterprises (WISEs).

Women in Native Title: Native Title Report 2024

First Nations

Reports

First Nations

This community guide summarises the Australian Human Rights Commission's 2024 Native Title Report, which focuses on First Nations women's experiences of the native title system. It presents stories from women across Australia showing how the system fails to deliver justice, and calls for major reform. It is relevant to advocates, policymakers, community organisations and anyone working in land justice or First Nations rights.

Your Guide to Making an Excellent Investor Pitch Deck

Articles

This short blog focuses on developing a pitch deck for ventures seeking funding. It shares practical tips, a template to structure your pitch as well as common questions. Since it’s from a conventional business perspective you’ll need to consider where your impact proposition should be included.