Access support and financial backing to increase your impact
Backing the Bold gives impact-led organisations the tools, know-how, and funding to grow their impact and deliver better outcomes for Australians
Applications for the next Backing the Bold intake are open now
If your organisation is creating impact and reducing disadvantage for people across Australia, and you’re ready to take it to the next level, we invite you to apply.
About Backing the Bold
Backing the Bold helps impact organisations reach the next level and do even more good.
It connects organisational leaders with tailored practical support and access to finance so you can strengthen your foundations, be well-positioned when the time is right to receive finance and investment and grow sustainably.
The program will help you build the confidence, capability and clarity to ensure that when investment happens, it will strengthen both your organisation and your impact.
Delivered by Sefa Partnerships, the non-profit arm of Sefa (Social Enterprise Finance Australia), the program includes up to 6 months of support based on your organisation’s stage, needs and readiness for investment and access to loan finance of up to $200K.
Why organisations apply for Backing the Bold
Build your capability to do more good
We work with you one-on-one to help you strengthen your organisation's operational, impact, financial and strategic foundations. Backing the Bold helps organisations like yours feel more resilient, sustainable and ready to take its next step.
Prepare for responsible investment
We help you understand what good investment looks like, how it can support your impact, and what being prepared for it means in practice, with access to flexible loan finance as one possible outcome for organisations that are ready.
Expertise you can rely on
We’ll provide support that’s tailored specifically to your organisation and situation. Delivered by Sefa’s experts in impact organisational resilience and growth, we can guide you on everything from growth strategies and measuring your impact to forecasts and using investment to scale your organisation.
Who is Backing the Bold for?
Backing the Bold is designed for organisations that meet the following criteria…
You’re an impact-led organisation
Your work is making a measurable social difference for Australian communities.
You're based in Australia or your work benefits Australians
You generate income through selling products or services
You have the ability to demonstrate revenue (or a reliable pipeline) that supports operational sustainability.
You have a team or a plan to grow
You’re well beyond the concept stage and ready to strengthen your business model to achieve greater impact.
Note: At this stage, we don’t work with sole traders unless there’s a clear plan to transition into a company structure. We assess applications on a case-by-case basis, looking for signs of traction and growth potential, including financial performance to date.
This program may not be the right fit if you are:
Still testing or validating an idea
Less than 1 year of revenue, and with no clear customer pipeline yet
Operating as a sole founder with no plan to build a team
What to expect from the program
What the program includes
Support to strengthen your foundations
One-on-one guidance and practical capability support to refine your business model, operations and financial set up to help you build resilience and prepare for sustainable growth.
Preparation for growth and funding
Structured support to work through scenarios, timing and affordability, and to understand what investment could look like for your organisation in practice.
Help to apply for appropriate finance
When you’re ready and investment is appropriate, we help you present your case with clarity and confidence. You’ll be able to apply for $50K-200k from Sefa and/or we can connect you with aligned capital partners
Throughout the program, there is no requirement that you will take on finance. Our role is to help you understand whether investment is the right step for your organisation - and only move forward if and when it makes sense.
Time commitment
The timeline and pathway will look different for every organisation. Our role is to meet you where you are, and support you to move forward in a way that protects your mission and strengthens your impact.
Generally, it can take 2-3 months from submitting an EOI to starting capability building if you are successful.
During the capability building phrase, we will meet for a few hours per week and there may be some work for you to complete between sessions.
Key dates
Applications for this intake close on 30 May 2026
Applications are assessed as they come in, so you’ll hear from us shortly
Start dates are staggered. If successful, we’ll agree on a timeline together based on your needs and availability and begin the program as soon as possible.
Apply for Backing the Bold now
If you’re preparing for your next stage of growth and want support to strengthen your organisations’ foundations to get ready for impact-first funding, we’d love to hear from you! Tell us more about your organisation, its mission and your growth plans to apply. Submit your expression of interest now!
Cautious about taking on investment?
Many organisations are mindful, and sometimes hesitant, about when and whether to use repayable finance. That’s completely understandable!
Throughout the program, we explore how investment can be used as a tool for impact, and what it means to pursue funding that aligns with your cash flow, capacity and long-term goals. We’ll help you focus on making informed decisions around finance, without pressure.
What others say about Backing the Bold
Frequently Asked Questions
About Backing the Bold:
Backing the Bold provides tailored capability support and practical guidance to help you strengthen your business model, impact, financial planning, operations and readiness to take on finance.
By the end of the program, many organisations are well-placed to pursue investment, including flexible loan finance from Sefa that can support sustainable growth and impact.
Backing the Bold is open to social enterprises and businesses in Australia that are committed to making a positive social impact. Applicants should be well beyond idea stage, with early traction and a clear intent to grow their impact with the right strategic support.
About Taking on finance:
No, debt is not just for businesses in trouble. Many successful companies use debt strategically to fuel their growth, invest in new opportunities, and manage cash flow. It can be a useful tool to help scale your business without giving up equity.
If you're in the early stages of business, debt can provide the capital needed to grow your operations, invest in equipment, or hire key staff. With the right kind of debt, you can gain the financial support to reach your next milestone while retaining control of your business. Through Backing the Bold, we help you understand what kinds of finance might fit your needs, what it can help you do and when you’re ready for them.
All financial decisions need consideration, but risk can be reduced by having a clear plan for repayment and a strategy to use the funds wisely. When managed properly, debt can be a powerful tool to grow your business without taking on excessive risk.
This program helps you build that clarity and confidence so that any future investment aligns with your mission and keeps you resilient.