Your Guide to First-Time Social Procurement
If your business is looking to adopt a social procurement approach, here’s how you can make it happen.
You’ve done the research. You’ve seen the impact. Now, your business is ready to embrace the practice of social procurement.
Where do you start?
Taking the first step into the world of social procurement is exciting – and it begins by partnering with a social enterprise that best aligns with your business.
This guide will walk you through what to expect from this partnership and how it can bring your social procurement vision to life.
Pictured: Angie, Supported Employee, Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions – Toowoomba
What Working with a Social Enterprise Looks Like
Social enterprises, like Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions, are professional, values-led businesses that deliver quality services while creating lasting social and environmental impact.
Here’s what a partnership with a social enterprise typically looks like and what it means for your social procurement goals:
A Collaborative Approach
Social enterprises are genuinely invested in doing meaningful work.
Expect open, transparent communication and a strong focus on achieving both commercial and social outcomes.
These organisations often go above and beyond to ensure the partnership delivers impact.
A Values-Aligned Relationship
Partnering with a social enterprise is often a more meaningful experience than a typical supplier relationship.
With shared values at the core, conversations tend to go beyond just price and performance.
It's a collaboration grounded in purpose, often leading to long-lasting partnerships built on trust, impact and mutual respect.
Professionalism with Purpose
While social enterprises are mission-driven, they are also highly experienced operators offering services like manufacturing, logistics and facilities management.
At the same time, they often employ people from underrepresented groups, so their processes may be more tailored.
Working with a social enterprise in Australia is about combining commercial quality with purpose-driven partnerships.
Measurable Social Impact
Many social enterprises will provide data on the positive impact your partnership is having.
This could include the number of jobs created, training hours delivered or environmental outcomes achieved.
These insights are valuable for environmental, social and governance (ESG), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and internal reporting – helping you clearly demonstrate the difference your organisation is making.
At Endeavour Foundation, our Annual Report demonstrates how our work supports people with intellectual disability to feel included, empowered and in control of their lives. It also highlights how our strategy directly supports long-term, person-centred outcomes.
Pictured: Jacob, Supported Employee, Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions – Mackay
Your Pre-Partnership Checklist
Follow these five steps to ensure you get the most value from your social enterprise partnership so your social procurement vision can come to life:
1. Define Your Goals
Before you start, be clear on what social impact outcomes you want to achieve. For example, are you aiming to create inclusive employment or reduce your environmental footprint?
Setting internal expectations from the get-go helps your employees to align.
2. Assign a Key Contact
Just like with any supplier, a designated point of contact can make a big difference.
This helps with consistent communication, resolving any issues and keeping the partnership on track.
3. Brief Your Team
Ensure your employees who interact with the social enterprise understand the nature of the relationship and why it matters.
A team briefing or internal comms update can help reinforce the purpose behind the partnership.
4. Be Open and Collaborative
Every social enterprise operates differently. You might need to be flexible with timelines or processes, especially if inclusive employment is part of the delivery model.
Trust that the end result will be worth it.
5. Plan for Storytelling
One of the many positives of social procurement is the story behind it.
Talk to your business partner about ways you can share your impact. Think staff spotlights, impact reports or case studies.
It’s a powerful way to engage your customers, employees and stakeholders.
Pictured: Supported Employee, Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions – Maryborough
Your Social Impact Journey Begins Now
Creating your first social enterprise partnership extends well beyond transactional.
It’s an opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive, values-led economy.
With the right planning and a clear sense of purpose, you can build a partnership that delivers tangible commercial results and genuine community impact.
Thinking about taking the first step with social procurement?
We’re here to guide you through every part of the process.
Get in touch with Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions to explore how we can support your goals with quality commercial services and meaningful social impact.