Library

Welcome to the Centre for Social Finance Law Library.
Social Finance Law Library

The Social Finance Law Library allows access across all the Library materials, including templates & commentary, government reports, industry case studies, links to other useful legal resources, and news articles.

Social Enterprise Legal Toolkit

The Social Enterprise Legal Toolkit has been developed jointly with Social Impact Hub.  It is designed to help a social enterprise to get started.  It includes a template Constitution for a “For Purpose For Profit” company.

Centre Favourites

The Centre Favourites collects material that we think is iconic, must-read or just particularly interesting for Impact Lawyers.

The Centre intends to add to this library of resources as and when new materials become available. If you have anything you would like to see included in the library, please let us know.

Our policy is to make the library available with as few barriers as possible.  Some downloads are subject to email verification to protect against bots and misuse.  We maintain privacy as set out in our privacy policy.

If you have any queries or comments or would like further assistance, please contact us.

Library Search

library Materials

Templates & Commentary

Some Other Very Useful Libraries

Reports & Studies

Templates & Commentary

  • For Purpose & Profit Constitution - a template Constitution for a company set up for purpose and profit
  • For Purpose & Profit Structure Diagram –an annotated illustration of the company structure of a company set up for purpose and profit and key issues to consider
  • For Purpose & Profit Constitution Discussion Notes – commentary on legal issues to be considered when setting up a company for purpose and profit
  • Choosing the right legal structure
  • Hybrid structures
  • Governance considerations
  • Raising Finance – an introduction to ##] [NB this is coming from Social Impact Hub, details to be added when it arrives]

Some Other Very Useful Libraries

Altiorem – a non-profit library and resource centre on the role finance plays in addressing sustainability challenges

Justice Connect Not-for-profit law – a website providing legal resources and information for community organisations

Mercury Cooperative – a catalyst for collaborative enterprise with resources for co-operatives and community economic development

Reports & Studies

Blueprint to Market, Impact Capital Australia – a report prepared by Impact Investing Australia proposing an independent wholesale financial institution to build the social impact market in Australia

Two Good Case Study – a study of the experience of the Two Good social enterprise in developing their legal structure

Chuffed Case Study – a study of the experience of the Chuffed social enterprise in developing their legal structure

Pollinate Group Case Study – a study of the experience of the Pollinate Group social enterprise in developing their legal structure

PRI A Legal Framework for Sustainability Impact 2021 – a report on whether the law requires or permits investing for sustainability impact covering multiple jurisdictions across the world

Legal Innovation in Impact Investing – a report by Morrison Foerster and Impact Capital Managers sharing examples and best practices of investors using innovative legal tools to pursue impact goals

News

  • The Centre for Social Finance Law and Paul Ramsay Foundation today launched an introductory guide to legal vehicles in Australia for purpose-driven business and investment. Australia’s social entrepreneurs and impact investors play a critical role in addressing societal and environmental issues and driving positive change. However, navigating the legal landscape can be daunting, particularly for newcomers and those with limited resources....

    07 May, 2024

  • GAIL – the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers – has released a pathbreaking new report from its Blended Finance Working Group titled Unlocking Legal Pathways for Blended Finance: Case Studies and Global Insights (April 2024)....

    23 April, 2024

  • Commonwealth Bank has released its latest Climate Report for 2022 outlining its progress in financed emissions targets for four priority sectors consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius....

    12 August, 2022

  • The economic toll from climate change is tipped to worsen across Australia's cities and regions, but experts say there is still time to take stronger action....

    02 March, 2022

  • We are proud to announce that The Centre For Social Finance Law is a Founding Member of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers....

    23 February, 2022

  • Some of Australia’s biggest companies are under pressure to reduce their impact on climate change but investors are divided on whether corporations could be doing more. _________________________________   6th December, 2021 Law at the heart of climate action Business feels the pressure when law requires......

    06 December, 2021

  • South Australia’s Aspire social impact bond targeting homelessness has reached its halfway point and has demonstrated that a well-designed program can achieve real social outcomes as well as generating a competitive financial return. 13th September, 2021 The Aspire Social Impact Bond was launched in 2017......

    13 September, 2021

  • We profile three different not-for-profit employment service providers, examining the work they are doing and what legal structures help them achieve their objectives 13th September, 2021 There are many and varied employment service providers in Australia.  Some focus on youth employment and training, some on......

    13 September, 2021

  • While awareness of climate change and the actions required to tackle it is growing rapidly, a key to success in addressing climate change is mobilising the funding for climate action.  Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative is playing a pivotal role in this.......

    31 August, 2021

  • Too many young Australians with physical disabilities still enter inappropriate housing. Youngcare is creating a future where every young person with high physical support needs feels at home — and free to live, equally — in their community....

    17 August, 2021

Templates & Commentary

For Purpose & Profit Constitution - a template Constitution for a company set up for purpose and profit For Purpose & Profit Structure Diagram – an annotated illustration of the company structure of a company set up for purpose and profit and key issues to consider  For Purpose & Profit Constitution Discussion Notes – commentary on legal issues to be considered when setting up a company for purpose and profit Choosing the right legal structure  Hybrid structures Governance considerations [Topic 4 Information Sheet – an introduction to ##] [NB this is coming from Social Impact Hub, details to be added when it arrives]  Independent certification options as a social enterprise

Reports & Studies

Blueprint to Market, Impact Capital Australia – a report prepared by Impact Investing Australia proposing an independent wholesale financial institution to build the social impact market in Australia Two Good Case Study – a study of the experience of the Two Good social enterprise in developing their legal structure Chuffed Case Study – a study of the experience of the Chuffed social enterprise in developing their legal structure Pollinate Group Case Study – a study of the experience of the Pollinate Group social enterprise in developing their legal structure PRI A Legal Framework for Sustainability Impact 2021 – a report on whether the law requires or permits investing for sustainability impact covering multiple jurisdictions across the world Legal Innovation in Impact Investing – a report by Morrison Foerster and Impact Capital Managers sharing examples and best practices of investors using innovative legal tools to pursue impact goals

Other Legal Resources

Altiorem – a non-profit library and resource centre on the role finance plays in addressing sustainability challenges: Justice Connect Not-for-profit law - a website providing legal resources and information for community organisations:

News

Social Finance Law News

Centre Favourites

The Uluru Statement 

Sir Ronald Cohen on

Reshaping Capitalism

Global Sustainable Investment Review 2020

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

 

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