Application Round for NFP Expert Advice Exchange

Strong demand for the NSW Office of Social Impact Investment Expert Advice Exchange (EAX) has now resulted in a second round of applications opening.

The Office of Social Impact Investment said it had connected approximately 40 social sector organisations with pro bono expert advice from leading law firms, professional services firms and financial institutions in round one.  

Applications for round two were being received from 31 August 2015.

The NSW Government said the EAX aims to build capacity in eligible Not for Profits and social enterprises by providing them with sufficient understanding of relevant legal, financial and management issues to better equip them to participate in new approaches, like outcomes-based contracts and social impact investment.  

“Under the EAX, an applicant might want to build capacity in, for example, setting up governance arrangements, or preparing for and participating in new business opportunities,” the Government said.

The number of participating professional service firms provide advice in over 20 areas, across six different themes including legal, strategy, finance and accounting, and program development, implementation and evaluation.

“The benefits from participating in the EAX are many and all social sector organisations are encouraged to ascertain if they are eligible,” Chair of the EAX Panel, Trevor Danos said.

“However, even those who are ineligible for referrals to particular firms participating in the initiative have the opportunity to benefit. Educational materials relevant to areas in which there was a high demand for advice in the first round are being developed and will be made available on the OSII Knowledge Hub.

"It's gone beyond just one-on-one advice to providing education and capacity building across the  Not for Profit sector in areas of law, accounting, business case preparation and governance.”

More information, including the eligibility criteria and application process, is available on the Knowledge Hub. Applications are due on 20 September 2015. For more information, contact the office via email or on (02) 9228 5333.