We've been busy...
Happy November!
It's been a busy couple of months, with lots going on in the for-purpose sector, as well as at Greatest Good (hence why you didn't see a newsletter from us last month...).The Social Enterprise World Forum landed in Amsterdam In October. World Social Enterprise Day was a couple of weeks ago (although, we took advantage of that and ran a week-long social media campaign highlighting the various social enterprises on the Greatest Good ecosystem. If you missed learning about them, check out our LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram posts, and feel free to follow us on socials at the same time).
You've been asking for more products supporting the social enterprises, charities and not for profits, and B Corps on the ecosystem, so we've delivered - more than doubling the products and donations on offer in the last few months. There has been a substantial increase in hampers and gift packs, as well as gifts for kids, and so much more. This is just in time for you to spend the money you are already planning to spend on gifts, not only buying a great gift, but also creating positive social, environmental and community impact.
We are continuing to sign up new organisational members, so expect the numbers of products to keep increasing. We've consolidated some items that have various size, fragrance, flavour and other options, such as candles, tea, bath salts, to make it easier for you make your choices, in the one product listing. If you are stuck for gift ideas, we've launched our Australian Christmas Gift Guide featuring a range of categories to help you Shop Good, Gift Good, Do Good and Feel Good. Not only do you finding great presents for almost everyone on your list, you get to support charities and social enterprises at the same time. Of course, you can always shop the entire Greatest Good Ecosystem if you prefer.
As always, we always welcome your feedback, so please reach out to us if you'd like to share your thoughts on how we can improve.
Thoughts
The conscious consumer dilemma
Never before have we seen large retailers jump on the Black Friday bandwagon, turning a one-day shopping event in to a marketing blitz that ran between one day and two months for most organisations (some are still going....).
Research indicates that when you are subject to this amount of traditional or social media marketing and advertising, that you start to feel like you are missing out (FOMO). Research suggests this turns off the rational part of your brain, resulting in you being more likely to abandon your values as you join others searching for the biggest bargains. Our founder, Jenni, wrote this article, which you may find interesting before you get bombarded by the Boxing Day sales marketing frenzy.
Meanwhile, the rise of days/messages such as Buy Nothing Day or Green Friday are gaining momentum. Buy Nothing Day is the day you show gratitude and appreciate what you have, realising you don't need to buy anything. Green Friday is about making conscious and sustainable choices, being more mindful with the shopping that you do. One of our foundation members, Good Sheet for the Planet took part this year, actually raising their prices by $1 per item, when everyone else was slashing theirs. The funds raised will be donated to a local charity supporting ocean plastic clean up in line with Good Sheet's environmental focus.
Expect to see more of these alternatives to big business in the coming years, which will make it easier to support small businesses, as well as social enterprises, charities and other not for profit businesses, all of whom are big losers in the Black Friday and Boxing Dales sales blitzes.
Recycling to support charities/NFPs
The Victorian Government has introduced a paid recycling program that will support charities and other not for profit organisations. The Container Deposit Scheme launched on 1 November and will allow participating organisations, such as charities, community groups, schools and sporting clubs to receive donations of 10c per drink containers (not to mention reducing the amount going into landfill and overfilling rubbish bins during festivals and events, etc). So drop off your empty drink containers (not just the plastic ones) and support your favourite community organisation!
Inspiration from our members
- The Reconnect Project have distributed over 2,000 digital devices (refurbished phones, tablets and laptops) to people in need. If you'd like to donate an unused device, check out our Collaborations page for where to drop it in or post to. Don't forget that they also do repairs of personal tech and small household appliances as well
- SisterWorks launched their new website and added a whole range of hampers and gift packs onto the Greatest Good ecosystem
- For those in Brissie, Food Connect Shed is holding their Christmas Bash, with a pay as you feel entry donation price of $15 or more
- Director and Deputy Chairperson, Leonie Young, has stepped into the CEO Role at Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation
- Avodah Global were selected as a Coralus Venture for 2023. We had the pleasure of meeting the exec team, Karine and Liz, and touring their factory (cleanest one even seen!) last month. We also meet Minka, the founder of KimChi Club on the same day
- CEO and Co-Founder of Enabled.vip, Dr Gary Allen, has been invited to write a book chapter about disability research ethics to go in a textbook about research ethics
- Hotel Etico are a finalist in two categories in the Australia Disability Service Awards - Best Workplace Inclusion Program and Best Employment Program
- Pancare Foundation, the parent company of social enterprise Shope, raised a whopping $110,820 for upper GI cancer research and support services at our last Unite For Hope event for 2023
Opportunities to support for-purpose organisations
Volunteer and Paid Roles
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Collaborations - asking for help and offering assistance
Scholarships and accelerators
We have added some individual scholarships and accelerators to the Collaborations page, with more being introduced next month. If 2024 is the year you launch your idea or take on some learning and development, check them out and see if they are right for you.
Greatest Good is a social enterprise that connects conscious consumers with for-purpose organisations.We are a directory, community, marketplace and ecosystem that helps consumers to find, engage with, and support social enterprises, B Corps, charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
