Supporting social entrepreneurs: the Snow Foundation’s multi-million dollar gift
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A new cohort of dynamic social change entrepreneurs are being empowered by a Canberra-based philanthropic fellowship to make their impact felt across the nation – and beyond.
One of them is Sita Sargeant, the founder of She Shapes History, who has been selected for her contribution to gender equity.
The Snow Foundation has announced the third cohort of Snow Entrepreneurs: Fellowships for Social Change, welcoming eleven early-stage founders developing practical, scalable solutions to some of Australia’s toughest social challenges. The cohort will share an initial $4 million across the first two years of a three-year program, with potential for further funding.
The program honours the Foundation’s roots, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of its late founder, Terry Snow AM, and the very DNA of the organisation. To date, 28 Snow Entrepreneurs have received fellowships, with the Foundation committing $15 million to the program across three cohorts.
Sita, who is the ACT Young Australian of the year, set up She Shapes History to elevate women’s contributions to Australian public life through walking tours, a bestselling book and national partnerships. With more than 10,000 tour participants, 23 guides, and collaborations with the National Library, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum and Abbotsford Convent, Sita’s mission is to make respect for women an everyday cultural norm.
Other awardees are tackling issues and gaps in women’s safety, First Nations health, digital safety, disability inclusion, youth mental health and healthy masculinity. It’s an inclusive group of leaders, including First Nations, LGBTIQ+, neurodivergent, and culturally and linguistically diverse founders.
The Snow Entrepreneurs, or ‘Snowies’, will also receive tailored capacity-building support, including expert advisory services from the Social Impact Hub network, mentoring, and an active peer learning community.
The first cohort of Snow Entrepreneurs has now graduated after three years in the program. They’ve achieved strong impact and growth with national and international expansion, including Clean Slate Clinic who recently launched in the United Kingdom, and Australian Spatial Analytics, which has become a national leader in meaningful employment for neurodivergent people.
Snow Foundation CEO, Georgina Byron AM said she was “excited and proud of our ‘Snowies’ and can’t wait to see the impact this next cohort will make”.
“They bring deep lived experience, community connection and the courage to tackle entrenched disadvantage from new angles. We know early-stage social entrepreneurs often have the boldest ideas but the least support.
“We’ve seen what this investment can make possible. Our first cohort is now creating significant impact for thousands of people, proving what early-stage philanthropy can unlock when we back founders with vision, integrity and lived experience, and surround them with the right people, support and belief.
“This is not only about the funding; it’s also about trusted relationships and the power of a committed peer cohort walking their journey together.”
2025 Snow Entrepreneurs Cohort
Gender
- Donna Lyon – Left Write Hook (Survivor-led recovery for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse)
- Andrew Collins – Nansen (Detection and prevention of technology-facilitated abuse)
- Cameron Cliff – Capyble (Workplace domestic and family violence prevention)
- Ryan Carters – Dadfit (Healthy masculinity and support for disadvantaged dads)
- Sita Sargeant – She Shapes History (Gender equality through making women’s contributions to history visible)
First Nations
- Evie Wood – Coolamon Community (First Nations maternal and infant health)
Youth
- Jeanette Breen – Think Forward Educators (Evidence-based school practice)
- Stephanie Silver – I Am Mindful (Youth mental health first-aid)
- Lucy Skelton – FORE Australia (Youth-led policy writing and civics training)
- Jeremy Nagel – Focus Bear (Digital addiction support for neurodivergent youth)
Community
- Amy Connelly – Marco Polo Portal (NDIS housing choice and safe housemate matching)
You can apply, or read more on the work of the Snow Foundation here.
