Do more good with Sefa Partnerships

We connect people, capital and ideas across Australia to help impact-led organisations address inequality at its roots.

We are Sefa Partnerships

As the non-profit sister organisation of Sefa (Social Enterprise Finance Australia), we share a mission to help impact-led organisations across Australia to do more good.

Sefa Partnerships connects people, capital and ideas to where they can make the biggest difference: helping organisations address inequality at its roots to build a fairer, more inclusive Australia.

Start doing even more good

Explore our learning and innovation programs

Our programs bring the impact ecosystem together and aim to address the root causes of disadvantage across Australia.

Explore programs

Unlock philanthropy with auspicing

Sefa Partnerships can auspice organisations whose work directly alleviates disadvantage in Australia and aligns with our charitable objectives.

Unlock philanthropy

Current programs

EmpowerHER: Uplifting Women Changemakers

EmpowerHER supports female social entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools and connections to drive transformative social change in their communities.

Learn more

Backing the Bold

Backing the Bold is a new program helping impact-led organisations grow their impact and drive better, bolder outcomes for Australians, with the right tools, knowledge, and funding to power their next step.

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Our charitable objectives

Sefa Partnerships is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient 1 Status

The relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability or helplessness suffered by disadvantaged communities and persons in Australia, by any means, including:

the provision of financial assistance; and
working in partnership with, otherwise in co-operation with, other organisations on benevolent project including but not limited to:: the provision of social and affordable housing;
the provision of crisis accommodation;
the provision of low-cost retirement housing;
supporting people with, or those caring for people with disabilities or mental illness;
indigenous programs; and
building capacity and improving expertise for persons involved in the provision of benevolent projects

To act as trustee and to perform and discharge the duties and functions incidental thereto where this is incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objects; and

To do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objects.

Auspicing

Much of Australia's philanthropic funding - grants, donations and major gifts - can only flow to a DGR registered charity, leaving many charities, impact-led organisations and social enterprises shut out. Auspicing is a funding partnership where a DGR charity puts their charitable status to work for you, so your project can receive the funding it needs to keep making a difference.

Sefa Partnerships can auspice organisations whose work directly alleviates disadvantage in Australia and aligns with our charitable objectives.

We welcome partnership proposals from:

Social enterprises registered as business entities that do not hold charitable status, where donated funds will directly alleviate disadvantage in Australia
Organisations in the early stages of development that are exploring philanthropic funding and have not yet applied for DGR status
Organisations that have applied for DGR status and are awaiting a decision, with an active project that aligns with our charitable objectives
Charities registered with the ACNC that do not hold DGR1 status, whose mission and activities directly alleviate disadvantage in Australia
Incorporated not-for-profit entities without DGR status whose purpose and activities alleviate disadvantage in Australia

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Our values

Togetherness

We work alongside community leaders, social enterprises and purpose-driven organisations as a true partner — not just a funder. Our support goes beyond capital: we co-design, listen deeply, and stay in it for the long haul. We're here to unlock sustainable outcomes, walking with those who often sit outside mainstream systems.

Integrity

We’re open about how we work, where our funding comes from, and the role we play. We name trade-offs, share constraints, and invite honest conversation — even when it’s hard. We hold ourselves accountable to the communities we serve, and to the change we seek in the system.

Champion

We use our platform to spotlight bold ideas, brave organisations, and different ways of doing things. We back those who challenge the status quo — and challenge ourselves too. Through storytelling, advocacy, and partnerships, we champion a more inclusive and equitable impact economy.

Our team

We're all about doing good, and having a good time doing it! We collaborate and debate, aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions, and stand by the advice we give. Collectively, we bring decades of deep experience building and backing impact organisations – and believe with the right funding and support, these organisations have the power to solve Australia’s toughest issues.

Hanna Ebeling

Sefa Partnerships Management

Hanna has done far too much to cram into this bio — perhaps it’s her German efficiency. From traditional banking with HSBC to impact investment in the Philippines, Hanna brings a global practice lens to Sefa Partnerships. She is on the board of disability service provider Woodville Alliance and social enterprise Vanguard Laundry, and as a member of government and sector reference groups contributes to improving collaboration between government, private sector and philanthropy.

At home you’ll find Hanna preparing dehydrated meals for her next bushwalk or (long-term) planning her first overseas adventure with her newly acquired Australian passport. Hanna lives and works on unceded Gadigal land.

Alice Brennan

Head of Innovation

Alice brings a rich tapestry of experience to her role as Head of Innovation. With a BA in Anthropology and Archaeology from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Psychosocial Interventions, she has spent 13 impactful years in the social sector. Her multidisciplinary skills range from product innovation at companies like OurHerd by batyr and Spriggy Schools to humanitarian work with organizations such as CARE Australia.

Described by colleagues as both empathetic and innovative, Alice excels in creating community-driven solutions. She is passionate about empowering social enterprises and enjoys working with teams to tackle complex challenges. In her current role, Alice leverages this diverse background to help nurture and grow emerging social enterprises, making her a pivotal part of the Sefa team. Alice lives and works on unceded Gadigal land.

Kyle Westgarth

Chief Operating Officer

Kyle brings more than 15 years of leadership experience across the social impact, community services and not-for-profit sectors. With a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, an MBA majoring in Finance from the University of Technology Sydney and Graduate AICD credentials, she brings deep experience across strategy, operations, organisational growth and social enterprise. Her career spans organisations including Two Good Co, Goodstart Early Learning, GE Commercial Finance and Detour Inc.

Described by colleagues as collaborative, approachable and pragmatic, Kyle is known for building strong relationships, staying calm under pressure and making complex problems feel manageable. She is driven by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive, and is passionate about helping purpose-driven organisations build the capability, resilience and resources they need to maximise their social impact. Kyle lives and works on unceded Gadigal land.