Westpac Foundation has announced that applications are open for its Social Scale-up Grant program, with not-for-profit social enterprises invited to apply for grants that are $300,000 each, over three years.

As well as the financial support, successful organisations will also receive non-financial support in the form of business mentoring via Westpac Group employees, to help improve their business sustainability and capacity to scale-up their operations for increased social impact.

This grant program builds on the long history of support for Australian communities offered by Westpac Foundation since it was formed 138 years ago. Since 1999, the Foundation has granted more than $30 million to more than 450 not-for-profit organisations, of which over $15 million has been awarded to social enterprises.

Westpac Foundation CEO Sinclair Taylor said the work of social enterprises in creating employment pathways was critical to those Australians facing barriers to gaining mainstream jobs.

“Our Social Scale-up Grants reflect our focus on supporting not-for-profit organisations which create jobs and employment pathways for people who may otherwise be unable to access sustainable employment opportunities,” said Taylor.

“We have designed these grants – over multiple years, with both financial and non-financial support aspects – to best support organisations to become financially sustainable through their own business activities ensuring they are around for the long-term to deliver more jobs and employment pathways for disadvantaged Australians.

“We’re excited by the prospect of backing the people with the passion and conviction to make a positive, measurable difference for their fellow Australians and watching communities strengthen as a result.”