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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 tha ..read more

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 not ..read more

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 ..read more

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 a ..read more

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 ..read more