Impact Audio: Recent Episodes
Submittable
Impact Audio features short conversations (and a few longer ones) with experts, professionals, and practitioners, in the field of social impact.
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Sam Caplan alongside PEAK Grantmaking managing director Sara Richman Sanders. They discuss their takeaways from the 2026 PEAK Grantmaking conference.
They explore:
• The evolving role of grant managers
• How nonprofit leaders are leading with courage
• What systems courageous leaders need
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Submittable colleagues Sam Caplan and Ian Witthoeft, who sat down to discuss their experience at the 2026 National Grant Management Association Conference.
They cover:
• The new compliance paradigm
• What to expect for Uniform Guidance
• How governments are closing the tech gap
This Impact Audio LIVE episode brings together five people who came up in the punk scene and now shape philanthropy and the nonprofit world. Together they’ll dig into the overlap between the punk ethos and purpose-driven work, including:
• Honest takes on power and gatekeeping
• Practical ideas for how the nonprofit sector can keep its edge while doing long-haul change work
• How to prioritize real action over performative messaging
Sam Caplan, VP of social impact at Submittable
Sam Caplan is the Vice President of Social Impact at Submittable, a platform that foundations, governments, nonprofits, and other changemakers use to launch, manage, and measure impactful granting and CSR programs. Inspired by the amazing work performed by practitioners of all stripes, Sam strives to help them achieve their missions through better, more effective software.
Sam formerly served as founder of New Spark Strategy, Chief Information Officer at the Walton Family Foundation, and head of technology at the Walmart Foundation. He consults, advises, and writes on social impact technology, strategy, and innovation.
Connect with or follow Sam on Linkedin, listen to his podcast Impact Audio, and subscribe to his bi-weekly newsletter The Review.
John Mohr, CIO of the MacArthur Foundation
John Mohr is the Chief Information Officer at the MacArthur Foundation. He oversees Foundation-wide technology services and planning and is responsible for developing a strong and sustainable information technology infrastructure.
Prior to joining the MacArthur Foundation in 2012, John was the Director of Academic Systems at the University of Chicago. The 20 enterprise applications he supported serve student, academic, and campus activities. He planned initiatives across the academic and student IT areas. In previous roles at the university, John was the Director of the Web Services department where he led the redesign of the university's website. He also led the Project Management office and the implementation of the Alumni Development system. Prior to that, John led IT teams at early stage technology companies in Seattle, Washington. He was a key member of the leadership teams and had responsibility for technical operations, product development, strategic planning, and key relationships with technology partners and investors.
Jenny Toomey, former director at the Ford Foundation
Jenny Toomey is the former director of the Ford Foundation’s Catalyst Fund, a $50 million, three-year investment to build the field of Public Interest Technology, and previously led efforts to expand access, transparency, innovation, and participation in the internet. Prior to Ford, Jenny co-founded the independent record label Simple Machines, and was a punk rock musician and composer performing on 12 albums, dozens of compilation records and singles, and a musical.
Alex Daniels, senior reporter of the Chronicle of Philanthropy
Before joining the Chronicle in 2013, Alex covered Congress and national politics for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He covered the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns and reported extensively about Walmart Stores for the Little Rock paper.Alex was an American Political Science Association congressional fellow and also completed Paul Miller Washington Reporting and International Reporting Project fellowships.
Aleda Gagarin, VP of influence at Candid
As VP of Influence, Aleda leads Candid’s thought leadership, strategic coalitions, and campaigns to increase Candid’s collective impact and support a stronger social sector. She directs the Influence teams, including Communications and Brand Awareness, Development, Partnerships, and Partnership Operations. In close collaboration with the CEO and executive team, Aleda is responsible for creating and executing Candid’s influence strategy, defining how Candid shows up in the world—what we say, how we say it, and who we partner with.
Aleda is passionate about making connections, solving problems, advocating for resources, and shifting power structures. She began her career in advocacy as a program assistant at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 2004, later served as sales and membership coordinator for Institutional Investor, and worked with North Star Planning and Evaluation Consultants as a researcher. Aleda joined Candid via the Foundation Center in 2013 as a development associate, and with the evolvement of her strong leadership skills, advanced to development manager, director, senior director of development, and associate vice president of development.
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Ann Mei Change, CEO of Candid. She digs into how data can help create a new status quo for the nonprofit sector.
She explores:
• The tools that are changing how nonprofits use data
• How timelines and expectations can shift to better support innovation
• How nonprofits should calibrate their approach to AI
This episode of the Impact Audio explores the invisible forces that can nudge people away from (or toward) charitable giving. Sam Caplan digs into research, chats with a social psychologist, and breaks down why some common tactics to encourage donations can actually backfire.
He covers:
• Why context is more important than you think
• How a focus on ROI can get in the way
• What to do when the problem feels too big
Episode Notes:
• Read the research on prosocial behavior
• Check out the experiments focused on calculative mindset
• Dig into the study by Matthew Chao on demotivating incentives in charitable giving
• Read about the adverse effect of choice in donation decisions
• Learn more about pseudoinefficacy
• Find out how unfairness can impact charitable donations
• Dig into the role of identity in charitable giving
• To learn more about Submittable’s groundbreaking Microsoft Teams integration, visit submittable.com/teams
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Andrea Bell, Director of CSR Learning Programs at ACCP. She sits down with Sam Caplan to share their thoughts and takeaways from the 2025 ACCP Annual Conference.
Andrea and Sam discuss:
- Why CSR leaders must develop serious business acumen alongside their impact expertise
- The shift from measuring only external impact to demonstrating internal business value
- Why resilient leadership matters more than ever in uncertain times
Links:
- Follow Andrea on LinkedIn
- Follow Sam on Linkedin
- Learn more about ACCP
- Read ACCP’s insights blog
- More about the 2025 ACCP Annual Conference
- Listen to our recent episode with ACCP CEO, Andrea Wood
- Listen to our 2024 episode with former ACCP CEO, Carolyn Berkowitz
- Check out keynote speaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones’, book “Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual”
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features David Callahan, founder and editor-in-chief of Inside Philanthropy. Sam and David explore the current landscape of today’s mega donors and how the ultrarich will shape the future of philanthropy.
David breaks down:
• The current “cultures” of mega donors in the US.
• Why and how mega donors are rejecting the traditional foundation model.
• The role heirs will play in changing how philanthropy gets done.
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Project Evident’s founder and CEO Kelly Fitzsimmons and CIO Sarah Di Troia. They dig into how AI is empowering the social impact sector and what practitioners need to do their best work.
They break down:
• Why “do no harm” is not a solid AI strategy
• How evidence powers innovation
•Why AI requires a new level of collaboration for the social sector
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Tip Tucker Kendall, executive director of NGMA, and Lashon Brown, president of NGMA. They break down how the role of public sector grantmakers is changing.
They cover:
• Where grantmakers’ focus should be right now
• How public scrutiny is reshaping the landscape
• What community means to the sector
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Matthew Hanson, managing director of grants and policy at Witt O’Brien’s. He shares the effects of change at the federal level and how public sector grantmakers can help reshape the future of the sector.
Matthew covers:
• The expanded role states will likely play in delivering funds
• How grantmakers can break down silos between departments
• Where grant management tech fits into the new landscape of public sector funding
The episode was recorded just before the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Andrea Wood, president and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP). She shares insights about how today’s CSR professionals can best make the business case for their programs.
Andrea digs into:
• Data that highlights the value of CSR
• Fresh communication strategies for CSR teams
• How the current political climate plays a role
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Stacy Huston, executive director of SixDegrees.org. She shares how her organization partners with nonprofits to fill the resource gap and spread the word about community programs.
Stacy covers:
• Why the resource gap is about more than funding
• How to best help nonprofits tell their stories
• The strategy behind SixDegrees’ most successful projects
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Submittable colleagues Sam Caplan and Laura Steele, who sat down to discuss takeaways from the 2025 PEAK Grantmaking Conference.
They cover:
• How the conversation around equity has evolved
• The sector’s reactions to new external pressures
• What grantmakers are focused on in the year ahead
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Karen Bergin, senior director of employee engagement and disaster response at Microsoft. She shares how the company sustains one of the world’s biggest and most impactful employee giving programs.
Karen covers:
• How Microsoft creates a personalized experience for employees
• The feedback loops that help the program evolve
• What it takes to measure the impact of employee giving
This episode of the Impact Audio is a conversation between Submittable Sam Caplan and Ian Witthoeft, who sat down to discuss their experience at the 2025 National Grant Management Association Conference.
They cover:
• How recent budget cuts are changing government grantmaking
• The dueling priorities of compliance and impact reporting
• AI’s potential role in fraud prevention
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Abigail Epane-Osuala, president of the GE Healthcare Foundation, and Ash Rogers, Co-CEO of Lwala Community Alliance. They share how they built a partnership that utilizes the inherent strengths of each organization.
They cover:
• The principles and practices that create strong funder-grantee relationships
• How to build short-term benchmarks for long-term impact measurement
• Forging partnerships across the public and private sectors
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Nick Cain, VP of strategy and innovation at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. He shares the foundation’s approach to AI, and how the nonprofit sector can start building the technology they need for themselves.
He digs into:
• Real-world examples of AI shaping social impact outcomes
• How the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation builds the technology their grantees need
• The story behind Grant Guardian, a financial due diligence tool for foundations
This episode of Impact Audio features Tom Knowlton, CEO of CSR Talent Group. He shares how some companies are tailoring CSR programs to better meet employee needs.
He digs into:
• The keys to engaging hard-to-reach employees
• How to think more holistically about employee engagement
• Real-world examples of individualized volunteer programs
One trillion dollars of federal funding was distributed via government grants last year. We all have a stake in how this money moves and how these decisions are made.
Today on Impact Audio, David Clark, managing director at BDO and self-described “compliance nerd,” explores how the expectations and goals around government grantmaking are shifting.
He covers:
• How the legislative process shapes funding
• Specifics updates to Uniform Guidance
• What transparency and equity look like in the public sector
This episode of the Impact Audio features Fred Tan, head of social impact at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. He shares how HPE teams up with their customers to make meaningful progress on some of the world’s most pressing issues.
He digs into:
• Building partnerships at the personal and organizational level
• Strategies to find the right social impact niche for your company
• The mechanisms that create real innovation
This episode of Impact Audio features Woodrow Rosenbaum, chief data officer at GivingTuesday. He shares how the organization has stepped up to help solve one of the most common issues facing nonprofits—how to access and derive insights from data.
He digs into:
• The story behind GivingTuesday’s data strategy
• Why standardization is not the endgame
• The data that reveals a big opportunity for attracting more donors
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Megan Strand, director of strategic consulting at Realized Worth. She lays out how an employee volunteer network can transform employees’ relationships with their company’s social impact work.
She shares:
• The structures that underpin genuine engagement
• How to balance your focus between current state and future state
• Why you should be aiming for the IKEA effect
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Erin Combs, founder of Artio Strategies. Erin has worked with brands such as Amazon, Starbucks, and Lyft to build CSR programs and to craft an authentic messaging strategy. She shares how companies can tell effective social impact stories.
She digs into:
• What’s at the center of a good CSR story
• The difference between marketing and social impact comms
• How to align your CSR strategy with your company identity
This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Shannon Farley, co-founder and executive director of Fast Forward. She digs into the ways tech nonprofits are using AI to make a deeper impact and shares her takeaways from the Google.org Impact Summit.
She explores:
• Real-world examples of nonprofits building AI tools
• How to avoid “shiny object” funding
• What nonprofits can teach the for-profit world about AI adoption
Today on Impact Audio, Rich Maiore, founder and CEO of Rocket Social Impact lays out what you need to do to get your CSR comms on track.
He shares:
• The four main tools in his messaging toolbox
• Why you should lean into an imperfect story
• The best first step to take today
In this episode of Impact Audio, Melanie LeGrande, managing director at Panorama Strategy, talks through how she responded to that reality. When she didn’t get the budget she needed for an employee giving program, she pivoted to a new strategy.
She covers how to:
• Create a micro version of your ideal program
• Define success for your social impact programs
• Craft a clear story that resonates with your audience
This episode of Impact Audio features John Brothers, president of the T. Rowe Price Foundation, breaking down how nonprofit boards have gotten the notorious reputation of the place where strategy and creativity go to die.
He covers:
• Why nonprofits shouldn’t strive to run like businesses
• The effects of professionalization in philanthropy
• Advice for current and future board members
This episode of impact Audio features Chris Battles, impact engineer & CSR software architect at Elwern Associates, as he shares insights from his two and half decades developing and implementing technology for CSR programs.
He covers:
• Three things successful CSR programs all have in common
• The key to engaging employees in today’s distributed landscape
• How AI and technology unlock deeper employee engagement
We both got a peek at the future of CSR and the trends shaping conversations around topics like DEI, employee volunteering, and AI.
In our conversation, we touch on:
• The increasing politicization of DEI and CSR programs
• Areas where ideas like trust-based philanthropy are making progress
• Ways AI both did and didn’t fit in the conversation
Last month, I attended the NASCIO 2024 Midyear conference and I learned a lot about what state CIOs are prioritizing this year (hint: there were a lot of AI conversations).
In this quick dispatch episode, I reflect on my experience with my colleague Stacey Sveum.
We cover:
• What it was like “speed dating” state CIOs
• How state CIOs are thinking about simplifying their programs
• Why government organizations seem to be at the forefront of the AI conversation
In today’s Impact Audio episode, Jean Westrick, executive director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, digs into how grantmakers can stay mission focused in this new era of tech.
She covers:
• How to balance digital transformation with other big challenges
• Where AI fits into efforts to make grantmaking more inclusive
• How some grantmakers are already using AI
This episode is the second in a series of episodes featuring Closegap and Morgan Stanley, where we explore the relationship between grantor and grantee as they work together to address a chronically underfunded cause. Last episode we focused on Closegap and this episode is my full conversation with Joan Steinberg.
We’ll cover:
• Why Morgan Stanley focuses on children’s mental health
• The mechanics of how they set up their Innovation Awards
• Why mental health is such an underfunded issue
Today’s episode explores this relationship by focusing on Rachel Miller, founder and CEO of Closegap, and her story. We’ll also hear from Joan Steinberg, CEO of the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health, as she provides further commentary on why Closegap’s innovative approach stood out to them.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
• What makes Closegap’s technology so innovative
• What motivated this innovation
• How this innovation comes through in the application process
• What Morgan Stanley’s funding means for Closegap in the long term
Sam Caplan reflects on his biggest insights from PEAK2024. Listen to get up-to-speed on everything you might’ve missed and what you need to know for the coming year.
We cover:
• The key theme of the conference: operationalizing excellence
• The changing role of a grants manager
• How data and new technologies are transforming grantmaking
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/peak2024/
AI took center stage at the Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit last month.
On the latest episode of Impact Audio, Sam Caplan and Sam Ellsworth sit down to talk about what they saw and heard while they were there.
They cover:
• How nonprofit professionals see AI enhancing their work
• Why Microsoft is going all in on the nonprofit sector
• Where to start on your own AI journey
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/microsoft-summit-2024
This episode features Beth Kanter, nonprofit trainer, facilitator, and author, on the rise of AI. She’s been training nonprofits on how to adapt to new technology for four decades and she’s learned a lot in that time.
In this episode, we cover:
• Similarities and differences between AI and previous tech advancements.
• How AI could address–or worsen–nonprofit burnout.
• One question you should ask yourself to adopt AI responsibly.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/beth-kanter/
Many CSR professionals have seen their budgets and headcounts shrink over the past year, but expectations continue to hold steady. A big part of the issue is the way corporate leaders value (or devalue) this work. As president and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizen Professionals, Carolyn Berkowitz has a unique perspective on how to use data to get your company’s social impact programs out of the starvation cycle.
This episode digs into how to:
• Channel all the forces that shape social impact work
• Capture the full value of corporate social responsibility
• Invest in the research that will support real change
• Build now with a clear vision for the future
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/carolyn-berkowitz
Lever for Change has embraced a challenge model, which allows them to give big dollar prizes to community organizations. In addition to the funding, they’ve created the Bold Solutions Network which provides ongoing support to the winners and finalists from their challenges.
Representatives from four different organizations within the Bold Solutions Network join us to share how Lever for Change’s holistic approach has unlocked their most transformational work.
This episode covers how to:
• Redefine the funder-grantee relationship
• Integrate multiple world views
• Lift up and co-create with the community
• Build programs around systemic change
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/bold-solutions
The ‘S’ in ESG encompasses everything from DEI initiatives to community investment programs and employee volunteering. For social impact practitioners, the big question is how you measure the impact of this work. Carmen Perez has spent her career helping teams get clarity about the short and long-term outcomes they want to achieve.
This episode digs into how to:
• Build the right measurement frameworks for your team
• Understand the nuances of outputs versus outcomes
• Capture the complexities of social impact
• Leverage the data you already have
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/carmen-perez
Lever for Change has flipped the script of traditional philanthropy. By adopting a challenge model and offering big dollar prizes, they get community organizations off the hamster wheel of chasing funds. In doing so, they unlock the big picture thinking necessary to create long-term, systemic change.
This episode covers how to:
• Rethink your approach to risk
• Make innovation a priority
• Build mutually beneficial partnerships
• Provide holistic support
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/kristen-molyneaux
Without employee support, CSR programs don’t stand much of a chance. But employees aren’t just looking to get involved, they want to be inspired. At Splunk, Patricia Toothman has made it her mission to strengthen the connections between teams and give everyone a sense of ownership in the company’s social impact work.
This episode covers how to:
• Lead without formal authority
• Meet employees where they are
• Develop a cohort of mission-focused peers
• Align efforts across your company
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/patricia-toothman
Social impact isn’t something you can measure on a quarterly basis. To understand the value of CSR programs, you have to take the long view. From her vantage as managing director of corporate insights & engagement for Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas sees a lot of companies making this mistake. She advocates for a paradigm shift in the corporate sector.
This episode digs into how to:
• Adapt to rapid change and new expectations
• Tap into employees’ unique expertise
• Adopt a long-term view of social impact
• Tie individual efforts to systemic change
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/kari-niedfeldt-thomas
Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or you’re decades in, working in CSR requires a unique ability to balance conflicting priorities. At a time when there’s more urgency than ever around social impact, Angela Parker believes that practitioners have a golden opportunity to redefine the value of their work.
This episode covers how to:
• Better understand your role as a facilitator
• Apply a strategic framework to social impact
• Find the organizations that align with your values
• Connect DEI and CSR initiatives across teams
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/angela-parker
At Okta, social good has been a priority since the beginning. But over time, the CSR team has shifted its understanding of what should drive these programs. It’s not just about taking the solutions the company has on hand and offering them to nonprofits. It’s about identifying the problems out in the world that Okta is uniquely positioned to help solve and then committing time and resources to run at them.
This episode explores how to:
• Identify your company’s superpower
• Get grassroots support from employees
• Take an ecosystem approach to supporting nonprofits
• Build integrated CSR programs around what communities need
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: www.submittable.com/impact-audio/erin-baudo-felter
Google.org shatters the traditional CSR mold in a variety of ground-breaking ways. Their ability to do so is rooted in their unique approach to innovation and connecting social impact to personal experience. Though many companies don’t have the global presence and technical resources of Google, there’s a lot to learn from how they approach social problems—lessons that can guide CSR programs of any size and scope.
This episode digs into how to:
• Tap into every employees’ unique potential
• Take concentrated risks to spur large-scale innovation
• Build solutions for the long-term
• Collaborate directly with impacted communities
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: submittable.com/impact-audio/jen-carter-future-of-CSR
What are the factors that encourage charitable giving and how should people decide where to focus their efforts? Effective altruism is a social movement and research initiative with unique (and controversial) responses to these questions.
In this episode of Impact Audio, you’ll hear Luke Freeman, Executive Director of Giving What We Can, discussing the guiding principles behind his organization. Luke also talks about motivational psychology, CSR, impact measurement, the pandemic, and criticisms of effective altruism.
Listen in to learn about:
• What actually motivates people to give back
• How businesses can support employee giving and lead by example
• Giving What We Can’s process for choosing charities and measuring impact
• The movement’s responses to trust-based philanthropy and criticism about causality
• How US philanthropy sets itself apart from global giving
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
What do emerging leaders in philanthropy need to succeed? And what can current leadership learn from the up-and-coming generation? In this episode of Impact Audio, Storme Gray, Executive Director of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, talks with Submittable about a more equitable vision for the sector—and how to make space for vital change.
This episode digs into:
• How philanthropic organizations can recruit and retain diverse talent
• The value of curiosity, inquiry, and collective care
• How global interconnectedness shapes a new ethos for emerging leaders
• The power of pausing your inbox
• Why everyone is a leader in their own right (and continuously emerging)
• Advice for new talent seeking to make a career in philanthropy
Thank you for listening. We hope the conversation moves and inspires you.
How can businesses transform their employee volunteering programs from a task-based checklist to an experience that makes a lasting impact? In this episode, Chris Jarvis, Co-founder and CSO of Realized Worth, joins Sam Caplan, VP of Social Impact at Submittable, to discuss the strategies, intention, and brain science that can help CSR meaningfully evolve.
Tune in to learn about:
• The rapid evolutions of CSR and employee volunteerism
• True measures of program engagement
• A transformative vs transactional approach
• Two simple strategies for making volunteer work meaningful
• Neuroscience’s relationship to empathy—and how it can impact results
• Transformative learning theory and how it can revolutionize CSR
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
What will it take for corporate responsibility to become comprehensively human-centered? And who are the people leading the charge? In this episode of Impact Audio, Alli Murphy, Director of Events & Program Development at Engage for Good (EFG), shines a light on the good work and bright ideas transforming CSR for the better.
This episode digs into:
• Why social impact practitioners need community (and how EFG helps)
• Key trends in CSR, from NFTs to corporate PR
• Inspiring examples of “employees as a cause”
• Questions, creativity, and other tools for innovation and relationship-building
• Real talk and other sector-wide transformations gaining steam
We hope you enjoy and find value in this conversation.
When new technology hits the market, the hype can be overwhelming. Think crypto, NFTs, blockchain. Gartner’s Hype Curve tracks how enthusiasm around new tech surges and dips over time. What does this curve look like for philanthropy? And what does the future hold for grantmakers looking to leverage tech for maximum social impact?
In this episode of Impact Audio, Leon Wilson, Chief of Digital Innovation & Chief Information Officer at the Cleveland Foundation, and Sam Caplan, Submittable’s VP of Social Impact address these questions and more.
Listen in to learn:
• Why philanthropic work spurs entrepreneurial innovation
• How funders can diversify tech leadership through recruitment
• What Amara’s Law can teach us about crypto
• How community foundations can compete with DAFs
• Why we should also look to small foundations as model changemakers
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
Any conversation about technology should also be a conversation about community. Too often in philanthropy, discussions and decisions related to tech happen in ways that perpetuate inequity and impede social progress. Fortunately, there is a way forward.
Amy Sample Ward and Afua Bruce are leading the way. Their new book, The Tech That Comes Next, is focused on how to bring social impact organizations, funders, policy makers, technologists, and communities together through technology to promote lasting change.
Listen to this episode to learn:
• Why we’re all technologists now
• How tech builds relationships across the social impact sector
• What technology decisions during the pandemic can teach us
• How to foster collaboration and break down silos
• Why a stroll might be better than a sprint
Drawn for a recent Submittable webinar with Amy and Afua, this audio conversation will serve professionals across the social impact sector, from nonprofits to funders, looking to center community in their tech strategy.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/amy-sample-ward-and-afua-bruce/
Funders of all kinds have been reevaluating their work over the last few years, seeking to improve trust, transparency, and equity while reducing burden for grantseekers. This episode of Impact Audio focuses on what comes next. Submittable’s Laura Steele and Rachel Mindell discuss four major trends moving the philanthropic sector forward.
Tune in to learn more about:
• What philanthropy can do to move forward without forgetting the past
• How to expand equity beyond a “checklist”
• The importance of listening to community
• Why re-centering people is vital
• How technology influences philanthropy (and vice versa)
We hope you enjoy listening. And be sure to check out the full guide referenced in this episode—Moving Philanthropy Forward in 2022, where Submittable. asked 10 experts for insights and approaches you can put into practice today.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/trends-shaping-philanthropy-in-2022
One in four U.S. adults has some form of disability. Not only are most disabilities non-visible— issues like mental health, chronic illness, dyslexia, and ADHD—but many people choose not to disclose their disability in order to avoid stigma. Given the size of the disability community and its essential contributions to society, why is access still such an afterthought? What factors contribute to discrimination and ableism? And how can philanthropy help?
In this episode, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, Founder of RespectAbility, addresses these questions (and more).
Listen in to learn about:
• The true impetus of the disability rights movement
• How accessibility fosters employee retention
• Philanthropy’s representational crisis (only 8% of foundation staff includes a person with disabilities)
• Specific (proven) processes funders can use to improve accessibility
• Being a grantee and funder dedicated to the disability community
• How disability intersects with class, race, and gender
This episode is intense, inspiring, and essential listening for every organization truly dedicated to social justice and lasting impact. We hope it moves you to new insight and action.
Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion is not a one-and-done solution. It’s a daily practice. For entertainment leaders at WarnerMedia, prioritizing DEI is about supporting emerging talent across the company, both on-screen and off—from the writer’s room to the tech team. In this episode you’ll hear from three executives making this work happen: Grace Moss, VP of Equity and Inclusion; Sophia Zeinu, VP of Equity and Inclusion Strategies; and Yvette Urbina, VP of Equity and Inclusion—Programs and Content.
Listen in to learn about:
• Top strategies for effective DEI leadership
• The challenges of DEI work, pandemic aside
• Why DEI is about freeing ALL of us
• The tension between reducing harm now and longer-term work
• When your personal “why” matters just as much your “how”
Drawn from a longer conversation on putting DEI values into action, this episode will reframe how you think about DEI work. You’ll also walk away with action items to help you support equity and drive social change.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/warnermedia/
Grants managers play a pivotal and evolving role in how foundations and corporate funders meet big goals. They put theory into practice, pedal to the metal, and innovation to the test. How?
In this episode of Impact Audio, you’ll hear from two grants managers who are pushing philanthropy forward: Rachel Kimber and Adam Liebling.
Listen in to learn about:
• Why grants managers are also stage managers, buttressing like mad
• How the role evolved from compliance keeper to data’s command central
• What philanthropy needs to swipe from dating app tech
• Why wealth still gets equated with wisdom (at trust’s expense)
• Oral reporting and other ways software should be more than a filing system
Full of passion, intelligence, and healthy debate, this episode is sure to fire you up. We hope it also provides new insights and a bigger framework for understanding grants management, technology, and philanthropy’s forward momentum.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/grants-managers/
The world of philanthropy is evolving swiftly. Priorities are constantly shifting, processes are being reimagined, and funders are seeking out the best practices to make a meaningful impact. Luckily, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose puts out an annual report examining the state of corporate giving.
This episode of Impact Audio features Submittable’s own Sam Caplan, Natalya DeRobertis-Theye, and Laura Steele. They discuss the trends illuminated in this year’s Giving in Numbers report and how they’ll shape the sector in 2022 and beyond.
Listen to learn:
• How community investment has grown and evolved
• The biggest opportunities in the CSR landscape
• What it takes to make real progress around equity
• Where measurement fits in
We hope you enjoy listening!
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/state-of-corporate-purpose/
Philanthropy’s latest evolutions have been focused on streamlining processes and centering the community. Inspired by the incredible momentum around reducing grantee burden, a small group of experts has come together to lay the groundwork for a more universal common grant application. In this episode of Impact Audio, you’ll hear from John Mohr who is at the forefront of this effort.
Listen in to learn about:
• What’s next for the common grant application
• Technology’s shift from a supporting role to key pillar of strategy
• Where higher education and grantmaking overlap
• John’s path from punk rock musician to philanthropy pioneer
Drawing inspiration from indie music, ‘90s startups, university life, and more, this conversation is full of insights and stories that will strike a chord with anyone working in grantmaking, philanthropy, or social impact.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/john-mohr/
Impact measurement is a meaty topic—literal books have been written on the topic. It's also evolving, as funders increasingly seek to balance power in favor or a more trust-based approach. How can you actualize your goal of reducing grantee burden in your impact measurement strategy?
This episode of Impact Audio features host and Submittable Content Marketing Manager Rachel in conversation with her colleague, Senior Product Marketing Manager Natalya DeRobertis-Theye. They discuss seven principles identified to help shift perspective and guide impact measurement work that Natalya developed for a longer webinar on the same topic.
Listen to learn about:
• How keeping the mission front and center can help you eliminate unnecessary reporting
• Why it's important (and okay!) to be humble and prioritize learning
• How traditional impact measurement requirements have perpetuated cycles of inequity (and what to do about it)
We hope you enjoy listening.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/7-principles/
Technology can be an incredible asset for those working in grantmaking and philanthropy, but too often this work is considered separate from an organization’s broader mission. Though tech’s role is expanding, there’s still a gap between what’s possible and what’s happening on the ground. In this episode of Impact Audio, you’ll hear from two tech veterans in philanthropy: Chantal Forster and Sam Caplan.
Listen in to learn about:
• Technology as a scaling agent, well beyond mere nuts and bolts
• How technologists fit into the future of philanthropy
• What bumble bees can teach us about building a participatory ecosystem
•Tapping into IT’s strategic value
• Chantal’s story, from coding at 8 years old to leading TAG
From personal stories to professional insights, this episode is full of great takeaways (and prescient predictions) for anyone working in grants, philanthropy, or social impact. We hope it's valuable to you.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/chantal-forster/
#FixTheForm is a grassroots international movement to identify and fix the worst elements of funding application forms that waste time and money. By surveying more than 500 grant seekers across 9 countries, #FixTheForm has gathered comprehensive data on the grant seeker experience.
The sixth episode of Impact Audio features Kari Aanestad, co-founder of #FixTheForm and associate director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. She shares insights that can help grantmakers across the philanthropic sector improve processes and make a real impact.
Listen to learn about:
• The top three pain points for grant applicants, by a landslide
• Grantadvisor.org and the origins of #FixTheForm
•Takeaways from the survey of more than 500 grant seekers (65% with at least 8 years
experience)
• The potential limits of demographic data collection
• Criticisms of (and future goals for) the movement
Drawn from a longer conversation about #FixTheForm, these excerpts include great suggestions for reducing grantee burden in the service of equity. We hope you enjoy listening.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/kari-aanestad/
On the path to healing, can money be medicine? According to Edgar Villanueva, Principal of the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital, the answer is yes—for those seeking to mend what colonialism and white supremacy have broken (and philanthropy has further compromised).
The fifth episode of Impact Audio was recorded during a Submittable book club interview with Edgar, facilitated by Sam Caplan, VP of Social Impact at Submittable. Including questions from Sam and the Submittable team, this conversation highlights major themes from the second edition of Decolonizing Wealth.
You’ll learn about:
• The inspiration behind Edgar’s book
• Why white supremacy isn’t synonymous with white people
• Model funders making change
• The power of storytelling (and pop culture!)
• How technology can help decolonize wealth
Plus much more, including topics such as participatory grantmaking, trust-based philanthropy, relationship-building, and Reservation Dogs. We hope you enjoy listening in.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/edgar-villanueva/
Trust-based philanthropy is becoming increasingly well-known among grantmakers—but do funders really understand how to incorporate the values and tenets of this movement in an effort to shift power?
The fourth episode of Impact Audio focuses on common misconceptions about trust-based grantmaking, with insight from Shaady Salehi, Director of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. Launched in January of 2020, this project is a peer-to-peer advocacy and learning initiative dedicated to making trust-based practices the norm in the philanthropic sector.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What inspired (and demanded) the trust-based movement
• Why trust doesn’t imply negligence or endanger compliance
• What real support and genuine relationships look like
• Why equity and trust-based philanthropy are not the same thing
• The difference between crisis response and long-term relationship-building
Drawn from a longer conversation on the values behind trust-based philanthropy, as well as strategies and tech tips, these excerpts include key learning for better grantmaking. We hope you enjoy listening.
It’s one thing for funders to include equity in a mission statement and another entirely for organizations to take real, antiracist action. The third episode of Impact Audio is focused on values and techniques that can help grantmakers put good intentions into practice, with Luther Hughes and Lydia Boss, Program Managers at Artist Trust. Founded in 1986, Artist Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting Washington artists working in all creative disciplines.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to prioritize relationships for equity
• Tips for orienting a review panel on your mission
• The value of trust and qualitative outcome-assessment
• Why taking a stand matters
Drawn from a longer conversation on strategies for enhancing equitable practices in grantmaking, these excerpts feature key takeaways to help you get started. We hope they serve you well.
For a full-length version of this conversation and additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/luther-hughes-lydia-boss/
Good business in 2021 is about much more than quality products and services—today’s corporations are being held responsible for the impact they have on the planet and on humankind. This episode of Impact Audio features two experts in CSR and social good: Lousie Bleach and Mark Horoszowski.
Listen on to learn:
• Why clean water tech is more vital than you think, especially for beer-lovers
• How social enterprises like Desolenator partner with the private sector to make lasting change
• How CSR can benefit businesses, alter the global economy, and help the earth
• Where and how businesses can get their start in CSR
• What smart CSR strategy entails
Featuring takeaways from a longer conversation on vital issues in the evolving worlds of CSR, social enterprise, and corporate partnerships for good, this excerpt is full of actionable, insider advice. We hope it moves you.
For a full-length version of this conversation and additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/louise-bleach-mark-horoszowski/
At its best, philanthropy is dynamic—ever-evolving as a field, attentive to community, and attractive to professionals from many walks of life. In this episode of Impact Audio, you’ll hear directly from two veterans in the sector: Satonya Fair and Sam Caplan. Their in-depth conversation includes:
• What it’s like to heed a philanthropic calling
• PEAK Grantmaking’s past and future
• Where the field at large is heading and how technology fits in
• What smart giving entails (with kudos to Mackenzie Scott)
Full of great takeaways for professionals in grantmaking and social impact roles, as well as in-depth personal reflections, this episode has a little something for everyone. We hope you enjoy it.
For additional resources, visit our episode notes: https://www.submittable.com/impact-audio/satonya-fair/
Impact Audio features short conversations (and a few longer ones) with experts, professionals, and practitioners, in the field of social impact.