Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund (closed)

The purpose of the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach Social Enterprise Fund was to provide direct capital investment* for Pacific Social Enterprises** to respond to their current needs to create wealth opportunities and improve social wellbeing for Pacific families in the New Zealand economy.  

* Capital investment – tools and services to increase skills, health and safety, capability and capacity requirements, equipment, capital to increase productivity and revenue generation. Enterprise must have demonstrated how the capital investment would increase employment, wealth and sustainability of the organisation.

** The Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach Social Enterprise programme definition of Pacific social enterprises - are registered community-based organisations such as Church organisation, Community groups, Social Sector Providers, Limited Liability organisations and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) across Aotearoa who are constantly reinvesting back into the Pacific communities for better social and economic outcomes.

The objectives of the Fund were to:

• create and enhance the opportunity of Pacific social enterprise organisations to grow
• increase community wealth
• improve labour market participation
• better understand the Pacific social enterprise landscape and its contribution to improve economic and social wellbeing of Pacific communities.

The target outcomes of the Fund were to:

• ensure Pacific Social Enterprises are resilient and sustainable.
• provide increased employment opportunities through social enterprise.
• contribute to improved community wealth, economic and social wellbeing opportunities.

The Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund opened on Friday 18 November 2022.

Applications closed at 5.00pm on Friday 27 January 2023. 

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by 31 May 2023 (date extended again due to volume of applications)

Successful applicants will receive funding by 30 June 2023 (date extended again due to volume of applications)

Applicants for the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund must have met the below eligibility criteria before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• have capital investment* to strengthen and enhance Start-up, Emerging, Growth & Established social enterprises
• apply funding to a community-based initiative with commercial and income generation focus
• be a Pacific enterprise organisation** with at least 50% Pacific business ownership or at least 50% Pacific Trustees for Board OR be a registered community-based organisation such as Church organisation, social sector provider, and Non-Government Organisation (NGO) across Aotearoa
• apply funding to an initiative that contributes to increasing labour market participation and income/revenue generation to improve wealth and socio-economic wellbeing

* Capital investment – tools and services to increase skills, health and safety, capability and capacity requirements, equipment, capital to increase productivity and revenue generation. Enterprise must demonstrate how the capital investment will increase employment, wealth and sustainability of the organisation.

** Limited liability businesses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis of their proven track record of successful community development programme and consistent re-invest in the Pacific communities for socio-economic impacts/outcomes and availability of alternative fundings.

The fund closed at 5pm on Friday, 27 January 2023.

The Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund is available for initiatives that are aligned to the following but not limited to:

• Capital investment^** to strengthen and enhance Start-up, Emerging, Growth & Established social enterprises
• Community-based initiative with commercial and income generation focus
• Pacific enterprise organisation with at least 50% Pacific business ownership or at least 50% Pacific Trustees for Board
• Registered community-based organisations such as Church organisation, social sector providers, and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) across Aotearoa
• Limited liability businesses but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis of their proven track record of successful community development programme and consistent re-invest in the Pacific communities for socio-economic impacts/outcomes and availability of alternative fundings
• Initiative that contributes to increasing labour market participation and income/revenue generation to improve wealth and socio-economic wellbeing

** Capital investment – tools and services to increase skills, health and safety, capability and capacity requirements, equipment, capital to increase productivity and revenue generation. Enterprise must demonstrate how the capital investment will increase employment, wealth and sustainability of the organisation 

The Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund will not fund:

• Initiatives that only benefit or support one individual (including sole trader).
• Health related initiatives (including mental health) to achieve MOH outcomes (Noting the significant investment of the health sector)
• Initiatives that are the general responsibility of other sectors (such as school and tertiary-based programmes which are the primary responsibility of the Ministry of Education, NZQA and TEC).
• Initiative that are currently supported by MPP or other govt agencies & philanthropies but will apply a case-by-case basis if it is to achieve a holistic approach.
• Debt repayment or debt servicing or reimbursement of prior expenses.
• A financial subsidy for salaries and wages
• Initiatives, programmes and activities delivered overseas including the New Zealand realm countries.
• Work that has already been completed (the work on your initiative must be ongoing after the closing date for applications).
• Food or Food banks (Note: Support for these can be obtained from MSD funding or from your Pacific Social service providers).
• Travel, accommodation, or fact-finding tours domestically and internationally.
• Infrastructural work/projects like roads, bridges, power stations, water storage or supply.
• Academic research and other academic activities.

View our frequently asked questions about the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund.

If you have any questions about the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach - Social Enterprise Fund, please email [email protected].