If you are a lover of creative social enterprise, you might already know about Bleeding Heart 166 Ann Street in Brisbane’s CBD.  It is a profit-for-a-purpose building that includes a cafe, a function centre, an art gallery and retail (with a social conscience) hub. Every dollar spent there goes into funding charitable and community enterprise.

Founded in 2008, Bleeding Heart is an initiative of the Wise Foundation, which aims to empower disadvantaged and marginalised people by strengthening communities with innovative business and creative opportunities. Some of their endeavours include Bleeding Heart, Bizness Babes (a program that helps women develop micro businesses), Musgrave Farmer’s Market and Buffed – read a bit more about Buffed here.

Back to Bleeding Heart, who describe themselves as a “social enterprise hub,” essentially giving people a place and an opportunity to start self-supporting businesses, exhibit emerging art and products and to participate in positive social activism.

Operating out of the beautiful heritage-listed School of Arts building at 166 Ann Street, Brisbane City, Bleeding Heart is just 1-minute walk from Central Station, King George Square, bus lines and taxi ranks.

All areas of Bleeding Heart – the large, multi-purpose gallery, funky café, “Queenslander” style veranda and colonial boardroom – are available for hire. Bleeding Heart can host private functions, conferences, business meetings, Christmas parties or social gatherings, and has the capacity to hosts up to 350 people.

Bleeding Heart actively supports the endeavours of established, ethical community businesses by selling their wares in the retail shop – everything from our organic fair-trade coffee to other “community trade” products in our store.  Bleeding Heart takes a zero percent commission on products sold – 100% of sales are returned to the artisan.

So….next time you are in Brisbane’s CBD looking for somewhere different for coffee, a unique event space or business meeting, or you simply want an excuse to get out of the office, go and check out Bleeding Heart.

Follow Bleeding Heart on twitter, facebook or visit their website.