The Value of Choosing a Social Enterprise
Every business makes hundreds of small procurement decisions each year. Who prints the annual report. Who handles the mail out. Who manages the archive boxes taking up space in the back office. On their own, these decisions rarely feel significant. Taken together, they represent a real opportunity.
When you choose a social enterprise for work like this, you are not just ticking a box on a supplier list. You are directing everyday business spending toward outcomes that matter, without changing what you need to get done or compromising on quality. It is one of the simplest ways a business can create genuine community impact through decisions it is already making.
What is a social enterprise
A social enterprise is a business that exists to create a social or community benefit, and reinvests its profits back into that purpose rather than distributing them to shareholders. It operates commercially, competing for work on the same terms as any other provider, but the reason it exists goes beyond profit alone.
This is different from a charity. A charity typically relies on donations, grants or fundraising to support its work. A social enterprise earns its income the same way any other business does, by selling products and services in the open market. The difference is what happens to the profit once it is made. Instead of being paid out, it goes back into the mission the enterprise was set up to serve.
Flagstaff Print, Mail and Digital is a good example. It is a commercial printing, mail and digital business that competes for work against national providers on quality, price and turnaround. What sets it apart is what happens behind the scenes. Flagstaff is part of The Flagstaff Group, a social enterprise whose mission is to provide life skills and employment for people with disability. Every job that comes through the door supports that purpose.
Why it matters for your business
Professional results without compromise
Choosing a social enterprise does not mean accepting a lower standard of work. Flagstaff's commercial printing, direct mail and fulfilment services are held to the same standards as any national print company. From digital and offset printing through to secure mail distribution, businesses, government agencies and not for profits rely on Flagstaff to get the job done properly and on time. The social outcome sits alongside the commercial result, not instead of it.
Social impact with every order
Every job placed with a social enterprise like Flagstaff supports employment and training for people with disability. That means the printing job you needed done anyway is also creating a pathway into meaningful work for someone who might otherwise struggle to find it. Your organisation gets the result it needs, and contributes to a more inclusive workplace and a stronger community outcome, without any extra effort on your part.
Alignment with CSR and ESG goals
Most businesses now have some form of corporate social responsibility or environmental, social and governance commitment, whether that is formalised in a policy or simply reflected in how leadership wants to operate. Working with a social enterprise is one of the most direct ways to meet those targets. It shows stakeholders, clients and customers that your organisation backs its values with real spending decisions, not just statements. For businesses that report on ESG performance, social procurement spend is increasingly something boards and clients want to see.
A trusted choice across industries
Social enterprises are not a niche option reserved for organisations with a specific community focus. Flagstaff Print, Mail and Digital works with government agencies, corporates, insurance providers, housing organisations and commercial industries right across Australia. These are organisations with high expectations around reliability, compliance and service, and a social enterprise partner is well placed to meet them.
How social procurement fits in
Many government agencies, large corporates and not for profits now have formal social procurement targets, requiring a portion of spend to go toward social enterprises, Indigenous businesses or other diverse suppliers. If your organisation has a target like this, working with a certified social enterprise such as Flagstaff can contribute directly toward it.
Even without a formal target, social procurement is a straightforward way to put values into action. It does not require a separate budget or a trade off in quality. It simply means choosing a supplier who happens to be a social enterprise when you already need the service they provide.
What to look for when choosing a social enterprise partner
Not all social enterprises operate the same way, so it is worth understanding what you are actually supporting.
Genuine mission focus.
Look for an organisation whose social purpose is core to what it does, not an add on. Flagstaff's mission, to provide life skills and employment for people with disability, sits at the centre of the business rather than on the periphery.
Commercial capability.
A social enterprise still needs to deliver. Check that the provider has the equipment, experience and track record to handle your work properly, the same way you would assess any other supplier.
Transparency.
A good social enterprise will be open about how it operates, who it employs and where profits go. If you are reporting on social procurement spend, this transparency also makes your own reporting easier.
Certification, where relevant.
Some social enterprises hold formal certification through bodies that verify social enterprise status, which can be useful if your organisation needs to evidence social procurement spend for reporting purposes.
A mission behind the work
Flagstaff Print, Mail and Digital is part of The Flagstaff Group, a social enterprise that's mission is to provide life skills and employment for people with disability. That mission is reflected in the organisation's values of Celebrate, Support, Lead and Include, and in the way every printing, mail and digital job that comes through the door creates a genuine opportunity for someone in the community.
Choosing Flagstaff for your printing, mail or document management needs means your business receives reliable, professional service, while contributing to inclusive employment and meaningful community outcomes at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a social enterprise and a not for profit?
A not for profit is a broad category that includes charities, community groups and social enterprises. A social enterprise is a type of not for profit that earns its income through trading, selling goods or services in the market, rather than relying primarily on donations or grants.
Does choosing a social enterprise cost more?
Not necessarily. Social enterprises like Flagstaff compete commercially and price their services in line with the market. You are paying for the same product or service you would get elsewhere, with the added benefit of where the profit goes.
How do I know a social enterprise is legitimate?
Look for transparency around the organisation's mission, ownership structure and how profits are used. Established social enterprises are usually open about this and, in some cases, hold formal certification that verifies their status.
Can working with a social enterprise count toward our social procurement targets?
In many cases, yes. If your organisation has social procurement commitments, spend with a certified social enterprise can typically be counted toward those targets. It is worth confirming the specific requirements of your policy or reporting framework.
Is a social enterprise able to handle large or complex projects?
Yes. Social enterprises such as Flagstaff Print, Mail and Digital operate at a commercial scale, working with government agencies, corporates and organisations across Australia on projects of all sizes.
What kind of impact does my spending actually create?
Every job placed with Flagstaff supports employment, training and life skills development for people with disability. It is an ongoing contribution that grows as the relationship does.
*Flagstaff Print, Mail and Digital is a social enterprise of The Flagstaff Group, proudly providing life skills and employment for people with disability in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions and beyond. Get in touch with the team today to find out how choosing Flagstaff can support both your business needs and your community impact goals.