Happy November!
Thank you for all of the positive feedback on the Greatest Good Australian Christmas Gift Guide which launched last month. It has been amazing to get your thoughts on the broad product offering we now have. We look forward to expanding the range of products next year as we onboard new for-purpose organisations.
November was a busy month, as I took an extra long, long Melbourne Cup weekend and played catch up over the rest of the month. I had the pleasure of presenting my favourite workshop (Discovering Your Purpose - which draws on positive psychology, neuroscience and emotional intelligence) to a range of mEmbers and Allies at Ember Connect.
I also completed my fellowship with Social Impact Hub, meeting some amazing and inspiring people along the 3 month journey. Applications are now open for the next cohort and I can highly recommend it, whether you are new to the social impact space or a seasoned professional.
Last week, a podcast that was recorded a few months back telling the story of Greatest Good was released, so if you are curious to learn more, click the link above to have a listen.
I was also honoured to be invited to a First Nations Female Founders dinner with a range of First Nations women and non-indigenous business leaders reflecting on the heartbreak and uncertainty a year after the Voice referendum. What filled my heart with joy was the hope and actions still driving change forward.
As we hopefully hear the last of the Black Friday sales promos today, keep in mind that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, so if you are planning to shop, a reminder that over 95% of businesses in Australia have less that 20 people. This applies to many of the organisations listed on Greatest Good and we’d love for you to support them using the money you are already planning to spend to Shop Good, Gift Good, Do Good and Feel Good. Keep in mind that 85% of our range of gift hampers, gift packs, gift boxes and other gifts and products are priced at or below under $100 and every purchase supports an Australian social enterprise, B Corp, charity or not-for-profit.
That’s it from me today, but we will be back soon with some exciting news to share… In the meantime, if you are heading to Moral Fairground’s CollabConnect on Friday 6th December at RMIT, come and say hi!
As always, we welcome your thoughts, comments and suggestions, so don't forget to share your feedback, to help us to help you do your greatest good.
Jenni - Founder/Managing Director
Inspiration from our members
The Dolphin Research Institute announced that it’s 'i sea, i care' Ambassador Program won the award for 'Inspiring Community Engagement and Education' at the prestigious 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards
Good 4 Business announced their new Carbon Accounting Service! This service is designed to empower companies to understand, measure, and reduce their carbon footprint, providing a solid foundation for sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance
CuriousWorks recently celebrated the success of Testing Grounds, a creative development and mentorship program for emerging artists, while also welcoming a new Chair to their Committee of Management
SisterWorks have announced an exciting new program to turn waste into opportunity. CircularWorks empowers women from migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeker backgrounds to achieve economic independence by transforming waste into sustainable, functional, value-added products
Lisa Erhart from Funding4Growth shared her reflections on why female founders should embrace award opportunities in her latest blog, written after attending the Women in Innovation SA Awards. She is also organising an Aussie Cohort of Women to attend SXSW in Austin, highlighting its networking, learning, and global exposure benefits for entrepreneurs and innovators
Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell of Hotel Etico will be conquering their fears in December with daring challenges to raise funds, including a Skyway climb in the Blue Mountains and a skydive over Wollongong. They have also started a podcast
Monica Davidson, Director of Creative Plus Business, proudly contributed to the Regional Arts NSW Work of Art program, which concluded with the vibrant Work of Art Forum in Orange—a dynamic celebration of female creatives featuring workshops, discussions, and cabaret
BeHers are busy making plans for a Christmas lunch with some of their community in Hobart. If you have a food or beverage company and would like to donate to this beautiful lunch they are interested in hearing from you
OneRoof is driving education in the for-purpose community, hosting workshops at The University of Sydney Business School and featuring Frances Goh at the Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival
Texcoco Collective are joining Greatest Good in doing Black Friday differently by promoting conscious shopping, avoiding mass production, and making way for exciting, sustainable new products—all while encouraging mindful consumption over excess
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Australia In-house Legal National Conference and Awards celebrated 30 years this year and Checklist Legal were there to support the event
Florence Davidson, Executive Officer of Christie Centre Inc, is among 40 new members appointed to DJSIR’s Regional Partnerships, advocating for programs to enhance regional Victoria.
The Reconnect Project have been featured in the Financial Review with a profile piece Annette Brodie exploring what companies do with their old laptops. You can learn more about donating your unused tech here
News and Updates
For-purpose sector news
The long-awaited Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint has been handed to the federal government. The report from the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) contains 18 recommendations designed to help the sector survive and thrive over the next decade.
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation 2024 Annual Report showcases bold efforts to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable Greater Melbourne.
Frankston Social Enterprise Hub have changed their name and are thrilled to announce the launch of the Frankston Social Enterprise and Innovation Hub’s new name and new Strategic Plan.
Perpetual have launched their latest philanthropy insights report which takes a look at a decade’s worth of data from the Perpetual IMPACT Philanthropy Application Program.
The Australian Government has launched a bold, $8.1 million plan - Equity: The Arts and Disability Associated Plan charting a path toward greater inclusion and equity in the arts for people with disability.
October has been a stellar month for social enterprise leaders! Geoffrey Smith, of Australian Spatial Analytics, is Queensland's Australian of the Year. We are honoured to have their Account Manager, Emma Shaw, on our Strategic Advisory Board. Bec Scott, co-founder and CEO of Melbourne’s STREAT, is 2024 Melburnian of the Year.
Finally, good luck to Social Change Central who have been announced as finalists in the B-Good category of the Pause Awards 2024. Winners will be announced on December 2 so watch this space.
Opportunities to do your greatest good
Events/Courses
You can find a range of both free and paid events for-purpose events from members and the broader purpose-driven community on our Events/Courses page. Here’s a few of the events we’ve added recently:
CollabConnect, where ideas and action converge, invites you to engage with social innovators and leaders, exchange insights, and spark collaborations that drive meaningful change, with Moral Fairground announcing an exciting line-up of speakers, including Leila Mindhili Gurruwiwi as host.
CreativePlus Business are running a series of online events specifically for creatives. Check out the latest Networking Tips for Creatives.
Jobs – Paid and Volunteer roles
Are you looking for a new role or to donate your time with an organisation aligned with your values? Check out the paid and volunteer roles from our members we’ve added this month:
SisterWorks are looking for a volunteer OH&S Expert in their Dandenong office, amongst a range of other roles they have on offer.
Hotel Etico are still recruiting for their 2025 Independence Program – which offers young adults with disabilities the opportunity to train in hospitality while gaining life skills and independence
Asks/offers and resources
There are so many great resources on our Asks/Offers pages to help individuals and organisations to do your greatest good. Here’s just some of the ones we’ve added for you:
Individuals
Social Impact scholarships from the Centre for Social Impact are accepting applications. Eligible students can get financial support to pursue education that fuels impactful purpose-driven careers.
The Social Impact Fellowship from Social Impact Hub empowers emerging leaders to drive change. Fellows gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and access to a dynamic network, preparing them to make a meaningful impact in the social sector.
If you have an innovative solution to some of the world’s most pressing conservation and environmental challenges then you may wish to consider the Hatch Taronga Accelerator Program.
The Snow Foundation and The University of Canberra are creating opportunities for future changemakers with a $20M scholarship program supporting students facing barriers to higher education.
Organisations
Social Traders certification is now free! Gain visibility, connect with audiences focused on social outcomes, and strengthen your business’s influence in the purpose-driven economy.
On the tech side of things, secure your business with the Australian Government's Cyber Resilience Service and unlock growth potential with TAFE NSW's Intro to AI and Generative AI
Regional NFPS are invited to apply for scholarships to improve their governance
Regulatory updates
(the sometimes boring, but always important stuff)
Legislative changes
Our regulatory update provides a summary of the key regulatory updates and announcements affecting the for-purpose sector:
- Legislation has been updated to provide for superannuation to be paid on parental leave from 1 July 2025
- Treasury has released draft details in relation to the implementation of the Payday Super regime which will come into effect from 1 July 2026
- ASIC has announced it new enforcement policies for 2025 detailing key areas where it will direct its resources next year
Guidance and updates
- The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released updated privacy guidance for not-for-profits and charities
- The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) has released an updated version of their Cyber Security Governance Principles, advising that it reflects the latest developments and emerging cyber threats since the initial guidance was published in 2022
You can find more on these items and other regulatory updates in our monthly regulatory updates and other updates posted on the Blog Pages (use the Regulatory Updates filter). We can't provide legal advice but you can find proposed and upcoming legislative changes to discuss with your legal advisers.
About Us
Greatest Good is an Australia-wide one-stop hub that makes it easy for individuals and organisations to do their greatest good. We are certified social enterprise and B Corporation™ supporting Australian social enterprises, B Corps, charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
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