White Box Enterprises’ Financial Wellbeing Program will continue for a further two years, thanks to renewed support from Ecstra Foundation.
It marks a significant milestone for the program following three years of strong outcomes supporting jobs-focused social enterprises across Australia.
Since 2023, the program has worked alongside jobs-focused social enterprises to embed financial wellbeing education into their support models, helping employees build confidence, skills and healthier behaviours around money.
For many participants, this is the first time they have earned a wage and managed their own finances, making the program a timely and practical complement to other wraparound supports.
The results are compelling. An independent evaluation by CSI Swinburne confirmed strong outcomes for both individuals and organisations, reinforcing what the evidence increasingly shows: financial wellbeing is a foundation of long-term employment.
In the program’s third year, every participant found the content easy to understand, 95% reported an improved sense of how to access financial help, and 86% said their confidence managing money had increased.
White Box Enterprises National Program Manager Kelly Taylor said the impact had been tangible and far-reaching.
“We’ve seen firsthand how when people feel more confident managing their money, it can ease financial stress and lead to better health, stronger relationships and improved life outcomes,” she said.
“This next phase builds on what we’ve learned; refining the model to reach more organisations while maintaining a tailored approach. It’s about building greater capacity within organisations to support their participants over the long term.”
Caroline Stewart, CEO of Ecstra Foundation, said: “We congratulate the White Box team on the positive impact of the Financial Wellbeing Program to date.
“Ecstra is pleased to be extending our partnership for a further two years, helping more organisations support people facing barriers to employment to build financial confidence, knowledge and create stronger, more financially empowered futures.”
With renewed funding, the program will expand to support a further 50 organisations over the next two years, now reaching beyond jobs-focused social enterprises to also include a broader mix of NFPs and community employment-focused organisations.
Organisations can choose a delivery option that suits them and will be supported by ongoing coaching, shared learning and evaluation.
There is no cost for organisations to take part.
To express interest in receiving the program or to learn more about how the program could work for your organisation contact: [email protected]
Learn more about Ecstra Foundation’s work to build financial wellbeing in Australia, including the shared call to action for a National Financial Wellbeing and Capability Strategy, which White Box has signed, here.