Want a grant of up to IDR 3 billion for your Social Enterprise? Here’s how 5 winners of the DBS Foundation Grant Program did it! | Bahasa
The Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) notes that in 2023, there were around 20,000 social enterprises in Indonesia, a significant jump from 15,000 in the previous year. The increase is a positive signal that the country’s citizens show growing awareness of and concern for various social challenges, ranging from economic inequality to environmental damage. Naturally, they also offer innovative and transformative solutions.
In light of the growth, Bank DBS Indonesia and DBS Foundation have pledged commitment to doing their part in driving a wider positive impact. Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at PT Bank DBS Indonesia Mona Monika said, “At Bank DBS Indonesia, we are constantly inspired by the passion and innovation of social entrepreneurs in bringing solutions to complex social challenges. Through the DBS Foundation Grant Program, we not only provide funding but are also committed to assisting them in expanding their reach and strengthening their business sustainability. The programme is a manifestation of one of our key sustainability pillars, Impact Beyond Banking, which encourages impact investing to create real and measurable change. This is part of our aspiration to be the ‘Best Bank for a Better World’.”
Since its launch in 2015, the DBS Foundation Grant Programme has disbursed SGD21.5 million in grant funding to 160 grantees. Programme alumni have also successfully raised a further 10 times as much for their companies.
Earlier this year, DBS Foundation through DBS Foundation Grant Programme 2024 announced 22 social entrepreneurs and social impact companies in Asia out of a total of more than 1,500 applicants as recipients of SGD4.5 million (approx. IDR55 billion) in grant funding. The awardees will use the grants to grow their businesses and expand their positive impact on vulnerable communities. Altogether, the programmes developed by impact companies using these grants are projected to benefit more than 800,000 people over two years.
For entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses, the grantees of the DBS Foundation Grant Programme give tips that can be incorporated into their strategy for winning grant funding and holistic support. Check out some of the tips from MYCL, NAFAS, JAVA FRESH, GandengTangan, and Waste4Change!
1. Unlock opportunities by thinking out-of-the-box
To win grants, including those given by the DBS Foundation Grant Programme, it is important to have an innovative and visionary approach and study the strategies of previous winners. What makes them different from the rest? Are there any out-of-the-box ideas that they offer? How much social impact have they had on the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities?
Winning a grant is not an instant achievement but a process, a long journey that takes years. Their success is the sweet fruit of consistency achieved through trial-and-error runs. Therefore, use every opportunity to learn. Brainstorming sessions with mentors, past grantees, and fellow social entrepreneurs can take you one step further.
JAVA FRESH Co-Founder & CEO Margareta Astaman, a grantee of DBS Foundation Grant Programme 2024, said, “Every journey to success is filled with challenges. Social entrepreneurs must dare to innovate, try new things, and explore their potential.”
DBS Foundation Grant Program participants need not worry! The programme also provides mentoring and assistance, as well as networking sessions with past winners, and more.
2. Show your impact
Everyone has great ideas, but not everyone can show a measurable positive impact. So, it’s important for social entrepreneurs to prove that they can significantly address a social problem.
Additionally, there should be a clear fund utilisation plan: the problem to be solved, the solution, and the strategy to achieve the goal. Remember, winning a grant is not the end goal but the beginning of a long journey to create a sustainable positive impact for the wider community.
NAFAS is one of four grantees of DBS Foundation Grant Program 2023. NAFAS Indonesia Co-founder & CEO Nathan Roestandy said, “As a social enterprise, the positive impact in the community is the main indicator in measuring business success. We must start with the problems they face and offer real solutions to overcome them. Thus, every step must be well-planned to create a wider and more sustainable impact.”
The assessment indicators used in the DBS Foundation Grant Program include innovative and sustainable business models, potential for expansion, and how social enterprises can support a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable Indonesia.
3. Maintain a positive cash flow
One of the crucial keys to winning grant funding is the ability to demonstrate a healthy and transparent financial flow. To achieve this, a social enterprise must be able to consistently generate revenue that is greater than its expenses every month. This reflects healthy operations as well as the ability to sustain growth.
Furthermore, social enterprises must ensure that financial flows are managed transparently. Transparency not only builds trust but also ensures that every financial decision is justified.
“Financial transparency is not just about showing pretty numbers but also how we maintain business integrity. It's a good idea to record every transaction, expense, and income carefully. With honest management, we can show that the business is growing in a more sustainable way,” said MYCL Founder & CEO Adi Reza Nugroho.
MYCL is a social enterprise that received grant funding from the DBS Foundation Social Enterprise (SE) Grant Programme in 2016 and 2018, with a mission to reduce agricultural waste and preserve the ecosystem.
4. You may have great ideas, but can you convince investors?
Success is not just measured by achievements. The ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively is also important so as to convince potential investors to fund a programme.
This is where credibility, trust, and the ability to show their investment will be used wisely come into play. When you are able to convince them how they can be part of the big changes that have been proclaimed, then funding opportunities will broaden.
“Getting potential investors to feel connected with our vision is a crucial step. Basically, they want to see the social impact that can be created through the funds they channel. When we can show our seriousness in carrying out our social mission, they will be more convinced join the effort,” said GandengTangan Co-Founder & CEO Jezzie Setiawan, a social entrepreneur engaged in financing and educating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and a two-time grantee of the DBS Foundation Grant Programme (2018 and 2024).
There are a number of things you need to pay attention to when presenting a business plan to investors, including: recognising the audience so that you can choose the appropriate form of language, structure the talking points and practicing more so as not to be nervous, and anticipating questions that might be asked and preparing answers for said questions.
5. Start with passion, and growth will follow
Waste4Change is one of the grantees of DBS Foundation Social Enterprise (SE) Grant 2021. The social enterprise processes low-economic value plastic waste through a network of vendors to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills or the environment.
In social entrepreneurship, sincerity is a crucial foundation. Entrepreneurs must start with sincere intentions and be driven by passion for the issue or change they want to bring about. A social enterprise must be born out of real concern and aligned with the spirit of entrepreneurship, and not driven solely by trends or potential profits. If you put your heart into it, every step will be more meaningful and impactful.
Profit is important to keep the wheels of business turning, but in this context, profit is a means, not an end. Indeed, the scale of success of a social enterprise is not only measured by how much revenue it generates, but by how deep and wide the impact it creates.
“When we build a business with sincerity, the impact we create will be more pronounced and much more meaningful. Businesses that are rooted in sincerity can also inspire many people to contribute to positive change, be it on a small or large scale,” said Waste4Change CEO M. Bijaksana Junerosano.
The five social enterprises not only bring solutions to local problems, but also create impacts that can be replicated regionally. As Indonesia is experiencing economic transformation, supporting inclusive and sustainable innovation is key to a resilient future.
If you are a social entrepreneur and impact business entrepreneur and are interested in applying for DBS Foundation Grant Programme 2025, now is the right time! Don't miss the opportunity to get the support you need that can accelerate the positive impact you want to create, including in helping vulnerable communities to meet basic needs and drive social inclusion.
Register your business at go.dbs.com/dbsfgrant25. Registration is open until June 30, 2025. For more information on DBS Foundation’s activities and the DBS Foundation Grant Programme, please visit: dbs.com/foundation/grants and Instagram @dbsfoundationid.
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About DBS Foundation
Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.
In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.
Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.
For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
Established in 1989 as part of the Singapore-based DBS Group, PT Bank DBS Indonesia (Bank DBS Indonesia) is one of the banks with the longest history in Asia. Currently operating 1 Head Office, 13 Branch Offices, 16 Assistant Offices and 4 Functional Offices and 3,011 active employees in 15 Major Cities in Indonesia, Bank DBS Indonesia provides comprehensive banking services that focus on the customer experience to 'Live more, Bank less'. We also see a purpose beyond banking and are committed to supporting our customers, employees, and the community towards a sustainable future.
PT Bank DBS Indonesia is licensed and supervised by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), and an insured member of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
DBS Foundation
