Impact Audio

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 CSRWe 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 changemakersWe 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 sprintDrawn 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 genderThis 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 systemFull 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 pioneerDrawing 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 TAGFrom 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 movementDrawn 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 wealthPlus 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-buildingDrawn 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 mattersDrawn 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 entailsFeaturing 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.