Our story so far
Backing communities with impact-first finance
Sefa – Social Enterprise Finance Australia – was established in 2011 when we were selected by the Australian Government to receive funding from the Social Enterprise Development and Investment Fund (SEDIF). We received a $10 million grant and raised a further $10 million from equity investors and lenders.
From day one our aim has been simple; design finance and support that help impact-led organisations do more good without compromising on their mission.
How we began
Mainstream finance often overlooks organisations that balance profit and purpose. Sefa was set up to close that gap – flexible, impact-first finance paired with practical support. In our early years, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council was among our largest founding shareholders, anchoring our connection to community and Country.
Our Timeline
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2011
2011: Founded through SEDIF
$10m in Australian Government funding, matched by $10m from investors and lenders. Sefa launches to back organisations that put impact first.
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2016
2016: Sefa Partnerships established
We create Sefa Partnerships as a public benevolent institution to extend our work beyond loans – providing learning and collaboration to organisations supporting people facing disadvantage.
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2020
Early 2020: Advisory team introduced
A dedicated team providing tailored, hands-on support – governance, business models and investment readiness – so that impact-led organisations build confidence as well as access capital.
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2021
November 2021: Majority Indigenous ownership
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council becomes Sefa’s majority shareholder.
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2025
2025: Gender commitment announced
We commit to continue directing at least 50% of our lending to women-led or co-led organisations and to embedding gender equity across our programs and partnerships.
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Today
Today: Finance unlocked, organisations backed
More than $160 million unlocked from the impact investing sector, $50 million+ in loans disbursed across 75+ deals, supporting 170+ organisations across our focus areas.
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Future
2030: Looking ahead
Our goal is to unlock $500 million for social good by 2030: shifting how capital flows into the sector so more impact-led organisations have the backing they need.
One ecosystem - Sefa and Sefa Partnerships
Established in 2016, Sefa Partnerships is our not-for-profit arm. It provides much needed auspice support to impact-led organisations and delivers advisory and learning programs to drive collaboration across the impact sector.
- 80+ social enterprises supported
- 100 social entrepreneurs backed
- $1.5 million leveraged for ongoing sector development and support
Sefa and Sefa Partnerships work collaboratively and share a joint strategy - two organisations with one mission to help impact-led organisations grow, and address disadvantage and across Australia.
Ownership and Acknowledgement of Country
Since 2021, NSW Aboriginal Land Council has been Sefa’s majority shareholder. Their leadership shapes who we are and how we show up: directing more capital and capability to community-led solutions and keeping Country at the centre of our decisions.
Our Acknowledgement of Country is not simply a formality. Every week, to further our understanding of Country, culture and community, we open our team meeting by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and by sharing a short learning. We've covered a whole range of topics – from Aboriginal English (AbE) and the D’Harawal six seasons to the legacy of Elder Yami Lester OAM and the role of songspiral and recently Aboriginal astronomy and data sovreignty.
Gender Commitment
In 2025 we published our gender commitment – at least 50% of Sefa lending to women-led or co-led organisations – and we continue to build programs that strengthen the confidence and capability of women leaders across the sector.
Read our Gender commitmentReady to do more good?
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