Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tomorrow Makers is our flagship program supporting social entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey with funding, capacity development, and mentoring.

We have two programs:

Tomorrow Makers SPARK is an 18-week grant and capacity development program supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs to test their ideas and plan how to turn them into social enterprises.

Tomorrow Makers IGNITE is a 12-month grant and capacity development program supporting social enterprises in their startup phase, helping them to start trading and build strong foundations for sustainable impact.

Each of the program pages and Terms and Conditions have all the information you need:

- Tomorrow Makers SPARK program page and T&C's

- Tomorrow Makers IGNITE program page and T&C's

Tomorrow Makers SPARK

SPARK Tomorrow Makers will each receive a grant of up to $20,000. The grant will be distributed in four instalments based on the completion of key  milestones. All program costs (such as workshops, capacity development, and mentoring) are covered by the AMP Foundation.

The funds can be utilised for a diverse set of purposes such as supporting you as you take time off from any paid employment in order to participate in this program, pursuing academic or research endeavours to support your social enterprise, purchasing equipment or tools relevant to your project and purpose. Anything that  helps support you through the program and to develop your social enterprise.

Travel:

Additional funds will be provided to each Tomorrow Maker for travel and accommodation expenses for the immersive in Beechworth and the showcase in Sydney. The funds are to be used to cover travel based on the AMP Foundation Travel Guidelines.

WA and NT residents will receive A$3,000. Metro Sydney residents will receive A$900. All other Australian residents will receive A$2,000.

In a team situation, if the second person wishes to travel to attend the Immersive or the Tomorrow Makers SPARK Showcase then the Tomorrow Makers SPARK Grant Funds may be used.

Tomorrow Makers IGNITE

IGNITE Tomorrow Makers will receive a grant of up to $110,000 for further development of the social enterprise, and the bespoke capacity building you will receive to progress your social enterprise to be market ready. The grant will be distributed in two instalments based on the completion of key milestones.

Social enterprise: Up to $100,000 can be used to fund the startup associated costs of the social enterprise (salaries, operational costs, development and prototyping costs, travel and additional capacity building costs outside the $10,000).

Capacity building: A minimum of $10,000 of the grant to be used for your own capacity building.

The funding can be used to cover:

• Engaging sector and business experts aligned with your professional development and impact plan construct objectives with a service provider aligned with the Tomorrow Makers program or service provider with the mutual agreement of the AMP Foundation and the Tomorrow Maker.
• Mentoring and coaching
• Short courses (max 4 weeks) and conferences

Reignite Impact Leader’s Retreat: Accommodation and meals covered by AMP Foundation. Travel to/from the retreat, including flights, are not covered by AMP
Foundation but can be funded from the Grant Funds.

Tomorrow Makers IGNITE immersive and attendance at the Tomorrow Makers SPARK Showcase: Travel, accommodation and meals are not covered by AMP Foundation. The Tomorrow Makers IGNITE Grant Funds are to be used to cover these expenses based on the AMP Foundation Travel Guidelines.

Read T&C’s for more information on funding and Travel Guidelines.

We award grants to up to 12 SPARK Tomorrow Makers and 8 IGNITE Tomorrow Makers. Each recipient may be an individual or a team of up to two people.

Applicants are not required to have an ABN or DGR status.

If you are an existing organisation, the Founder, CEO or equivalent can apply as long as you meet the criteria.

This includes not-for-profits, community organisation, sole traders and social enterprises. 

The grant is allocated to an individual as our experience shows that the participant must be able to make decisions and not revert back to the organisation for approval on how the grant is spent or the work completed within the program.

We do not award the grant to the organisation.

Yes. You will need to demonstrate that you have the capacity to deliver on the various funding requirements and how the additional support from Tomorrow Makers will build on or extend your social enterprise.

Yes. If you were unsuccessful in a previous round or a past Tomorrow Maker, you’re welcome to apply again for future grants. Returning applicants should highlight what has changed or improved since their last application. You can only submit one application for each grant round.

Within the application form you’ll need to provide a link to a short video. The purpose of the video is for you to introduce yourself/selves, explain what your social enterprise idea is, its origins, and the impact you hope to achieve.

This can be recorded on your phone or computer webcam, it doesn’t have to be a professional video. We recommend you upload the video to a platform such as vimeo, YouTube or similar platform so you can include the link in your application.

Please ensure the video:

• Is no longer than 2 mins
• Showcases you and your social enterprise
• Current and set to public viewing

Click here to view a good example of an application video we received in 2024 for the Tomorrow Makers SPARK.

Yes, the Tomorrow Makers SPARK and Tomorrow Makers IGNITE programs are open to all ages. Applicants aged under 18 need the approval of a parent or guardian to apply, and the approving adult must accompany the child to any in person elements of the program. 

Permission can be provided via the application form, and any communication will be directed to the adult. Of course, adults can help a young person with an application, but it must be submitted under the young person’s name.

For this program a 'social enterprise' is defined as a business whose primary focus is social, cultural or environmental, and that purpose is described in its constitution. It generates revenue from a trade or service, and, a percentage of its profit is reinvested into the purpose stated in its constitution.

Social entrepreneurial initiatives are unique in that:

• unlike traditional business, they use business principles, but their ultimate goal is social good, not maximising financial returns.
• unlike traditional charities, they are self-sustaining through revenue generating activities and do not rely on donations and philanthropic funding.
• unlike traditional government funded services, they fill gaps in services not addressed by existing public funds, often with greater agility an innovation.

Economic empowerment is a multi-dimensional concept. It’s about enabling individuals and communities to gain the skills, confidence, resources and opportunities needed to shape their own futures.

We focus on four drivers: Food Security; Lifelong Learning; Financial Inclusion; and A Safe Home.

Detailed definitions can be found on our Homepage. 

Community boundaries aren’t always visible or fixed. Lines on a map or region names may not align with everyone’s sense of belonging or place.

Therefore, we see a community as a group of people with something in common - shared interests, experiences, or connections - it's more than just a post code. 

The selection process includes a detailed application form, phone interviews and potential requests for additional information if required.

Recipients are chosen based on the alignment with the criteria, the creativity of their social enterprise idea and its potential impact on addressing a social issue.

Shortlisted applicants will make a presentation to a selection panel.

One member of the team will be required to attend every module of the full program. It is optimal that both team members attend the entire program, but we understand it may not be possible in every circumstance.

For Tomorrow Makers SPARK: There is one position per Tomorrow Makers grant reserved at the immersive. In a team situation if the second person wants to attend the immersive or showcase event
the funding can come from the Tomorrow Makers grant for the travel costs.

For Tomorrow Makers IGNITE: There is one position per Tomorrow Maker grant reserved for at the Reignite Impact Leader’s Retreat. In a team situation if the second person wants to attend the Reignite Impact Leader’s Retreat the funding can come from the Tomorrow Makers grant for the travel costs.

Yes. Intellectual property and business ownership remain with the Tomorrow Maker.

All modules are accessible on a mobile device. Any technical issues can be discussed with the AMP Foundation.

SPARK Tomorrow Makers will have a documented business model that will put them in a position to apply for funding from other organisations.

Alumni are given annual membership to the Tomorrow Makers Alumni Community on Business For Good Network where they gain ongoing access to support, networks, and opportunities for further development of their social enterprise.

Yes. Tomorrow Makers are expected to provide updates before, during and after the program in order to measure their impact and share learnings more broadly.

Flourish funding is an invitation only funding mechanism to provide community led initiatives with multi year funding to create economic empowerment for their community.

Flourish Funding is different from grants as the funding amount, duration and type of funding is co-designed with the community.  

Flourish Funding opportunities are by invitation only and are identified through AMP Foundation’s strategic partnerships and networks.

A wicked problem is a complex multi faceted social or environmental issue with no single or "right" answer. There can be many interconnected causes and multiple stakeholders with differing views.

Whether donating, fundraising, or volunteering, AMP Foundation amplifies the impact of AMP employees by doubling their contributions to creating stronger, more resilient communities.

The program is designed and guided by the AMP Community Action Network (AMPCAN) - a representative group of employees who ensure AMPlifiers reflects the interests and motivations of AMP people.

When AMP employees fundraise for a registered charity, AMP Foundation matches their contribution dollar‑for‑dollar.

Register your interest by emailing AMPFoundation_AMPlifiers@amp.com.au.

In your email tell us about your charity and how AMP employees can fundraise or volunteer with you.

Your email will be discussed with AMPCAN and a member will get back to you on next steps.

Employees can donate directly from their salary each pay cycle to your charity. The AMP Foundation then matches these donations dollar-for-dollar.

Yes. Charities can propose team volunteering days or skilled volunteering projects to AMP employees for AMPCAN consideration.

AMP employees can contribute professional expertise, such as legal, financial, marketing, or IT skills, directly to charities that need those skills.

An "Unsung Hero" is an AMP employee who volunteers in their own time more than 80 hours each year, or who serve on the board of a non‑profit organisation. In recognition of their commitment, AMP Foundation donates $5,000 to the charity they support.

Charities benefit not only from matched funding, but also from the skills, time and advocacy of AMP employees.

Please email AMPFoundation_AMPlifiers@amp.com.au to register your charity with details of the volunteering and fundraising support you require.

Charities will need to share the impact of  the volunteering or fundraising activities AMP employees participate in and that AMP Foundation funds. We collect data on the number of people positively impacted; the number of capacity hours created; and most importantly the stories of impact.