Looking to shape the future of social impact in Queensland?
Want to ensure the voices of social entrepreneurs, for-purpose leaders, and impacted communities are heard?
Why attend?
The Queensland Office of Social Impact (OSI) is developing a roadmap for social enterprise to help create the conditions needed for the sector to thrive. The OSI aims to improve outcomes for marginalised Queenslanders by harnessing the power of social enterprise and impact investing. The roadmap will inform the investment of the $80 million Social Entrepreneurs Fund (the Fund), and the broader work of the OSI and Queensland Government in this area.
A Consultation Paper has been released and you are encouraged to respond directly – Queensland Treasury | Strengthening social impact in Queensland. Ben Gales and Sarah Haigh are leading the OSI and want to hear directly from the sector to get your insights on what the OSI should be doing and how it should be investing the Fund. They want to hear from social entrepreneurs, people working in the sector, the wider for-purpose sector, and people who get value from the sector.
📅 Date: Monday, 9 June 2025
⏰ Time: 12 PM AEST (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) | 11:30 AM (Adelaide, Darwin) | 10 AM (Perth) | 2 PM (Auckland)
💻 Platform: Online
🎟 Cost: Free
What You’ll Learn & Do:
Understand the purpose and scope of Queensland’s new Office of Social Impact
Learn how the $80 million Social Entrepreneurs Fund will be shaped
Provide your input on the draft roadmap via live Q&A
Hear directly from the people leading the process on how to engage further
Be part of a conversation that could influence state-wide social investment.
About the Office of Social Impact
The OSI will identify and amplify the state’s social enterprises and impact investment opportunities. This includes overseeing the Fund, which will provide support for organisations helping Queenslanders in need through investments of $20 million a year for four years from 2025-26.
The OSI will establish the Fund as part of a co-design process to deliver a roadmap for impact investing and social enterprise in Queensland.
The roadmap will be developed alongside investors, community, faith groups, philanthropists, corporates and social enterprises, including in collaboration with industry experts who attended Queensland first Social Impact Roundtable and the Philanthropy Roundtable in January.
Meet the Office of Social Impact
Ben Gales – Executive Advisor
Ben joined Queensland Treasury to establish the OSI in early 2025, which will oversee funds to drive community benefit through social enterprises. Ben has decades of experience as a venture capitalist and an economist in government, the social sector, and private enterprise in Australia and the United Kingdom. He was responsible for delivering Australia’s first Social Impact Bonds in Australia, in New South Wales, and oversaw the establishment of the NSW Productivity Commission.
Ben has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise Finance Australia and has advised the Australian Government. Since 2022, Mr Gales has served on the executive team of one of Australia’s largest philanthropic organisations, Paul Ramsay Foundation, most recently as Chief Impact Officer.
Sarah Haigh – Executive Director
Sarah is a dynamic and dedicated professional with expertise in economics, law and social policy. Over the past 11 years, she has been a key player in Queensland Treasury, leading on complex, whole-of-system reforms aimed at improving outcomes for marginalised Queenslanders through better human service provision. With a background as a yoga teacher, she brings a holistic approach to her work and a passion for community and resilience. Sarah excels at bringing diverse groups together, fostering collaboration and driving meaningful outcomes.
📣 Have your say and influence how Queensland supports its impact-driven communities.
🔗 Register now to be part of the conversation that shapes the future.