Up to $30,000 on offer for Canberra social enterprises ready to grow
Applications are now open for Part 2 of the 2026 ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program, with Canberra-based social enterprises able to apply for between $10,000 and $30,000 in matched funding to support their next stage of growth.
Delivered by The Mill House Ventures with funding from the ACT Government, Part 2 will distribute a total funding pool of $160,000 to social enterprises ready to grow their impact, strengthen their operations and build more sustainable businesses.
Part 2 of the program provides matched grant funding to support social enterprises to invest in the people, systems and activities that will help them grow, while creating greater social, environmental or community impact across the Canberra region.
The announcement follows the successful completion of Part 1, which saw three Canberra social enterprises awarded $30,000 each to accelerate the next stage of their growth.
The Mill House Ventures Board Chair Hugh Chalmers says the program is an important investment by the ACT Government in Canberra businesses that create both economic and social value.
“Social enterprises are an essential part of the Canberra story. They create jobs, address real community needs, and prove every day that you can build a sustainable business while making a difference.
Part 2 is an opportunity to support even more local founders who are building stronger communities through innovative business.”
The ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program provides matched funding of between $10,000 and $30,000 to eligible social enterprises with a registered office or primary operations in the ACT. Grants are designed to help early-stage enterprises invest in projects that build capability, strengthen operations and position them for long-term growth.
The first recipients of the 2026 program are already using their funding to accelerate their businesses.
ArtFullness, Crafting My Story and EDG Support Services each received $30,000 through Part 1 of the program. Their projects will strengthen organisational capability, expand their reach and increase the positive impact they deliver across the Canberra community.
Chalmers said the first round demonstrated the continued calibre of social enterprises operating across the ACT and the important role targeted investment can play in helping them grow.
“Social enterprises are solving complex challenges in our community while building financially sustainable businesses. This program gives founders the opportunity to invest in the systems, capability and strategic growth they need to increase their impact. We’re excited to support the next group of enterprises as they take that next step.”
For more than a decade, The Mill House Ventures has played a key role in developing Canberra’s social enterprise ecosystem, working with founders to turn purpose into viable businesses through mentoring, capability development, strategic advice and connections to the people and networks that can help them grow.
Since the ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program was established in 2023, 30 social enterprises have received funding through the initiative, strengthening a diverse community of organisations creating positive social, cultural and environmental outcomes across the Territory.
Applications for Part 2 of the 2026 ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program are now open.
For more information or to apply, click here.
Applications close Sunday 11 October 2026 at 5.00 pm AEDT.
The ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program is delivered by The Mill House Ventures with funding provided by the ACT Government as part of CBR2030: Economic Development Priorities for Canberra.
