The Common Good is thrilled to announce The Café for The Common Good has been awarded the ISPT Award for Outstanding Social Enterprise as part of the 2020 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.
The Common Good CEO, Michael Hornby, accepted the award at the Gala Dinner, “It’s a real honour to receive this award amongst such deserving finalists. I’m really grateful to our wonderful team, a very small team, who have worked so hard but also to all the landlords who have provided sites, and our suppliers who have been so generous,” he said.
“The Common Good sets itself apart from other charities with our social enterprise model. The profits earned from our social enterprise cover our operating and administration costs, so that all funds raised go exactly where donors expect them to – into our life-saving medical research.”
The Café for The Common Good now encompasses six café outlets and a catering business run from our commercial kitchen at The Prince Charles Hospital. Café locations include four outlets across The Prince Charles and Caboolture Hospitals, one at the Kedron Emergency Services Complex, and the first in a public location at Albany Creek Central shopping centre.
Low business overheads have helped ensure financial sustainability, with every dollar profit currently returning between seven and eight dollars in community benefit.
“Last year our cafes did some $800,000 which we turned into nearly $5.2million in medical research,” said Mr Hornby.
Expenses have been reduced through generous support of partners and site hosts, including low rent spaces and value driven partnerships with suppliers. The biggest saving has come through the Foundation’s partnership with Merlo Coffee Roasters, allowing our largest profit margin to come from our highest selling product – coffee.
“Last year we funded over 120,000 hours of research, and right here in Brisbane we have 120 researchers, scientists and biomedical engineers tackling problems like COVID in an ICU setting, and a horrific disease called Silicosis that’s affecting our tradies. And we’re so proud of the teams we’re backing – one coffee at a time.”
The Café for The Common Good employs 75 staff, with hospitality training and volunteer programs in development.
The Café for The Common Good is currently powering research projects into COVID 19, dementia, heart disease and silicosis.
