Impact Audio

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/

Impact Studio is back! This September we’re bringing five CSR experts together to explore what the future of social impact looks like.

Register today: https://www.submittable.com/impact

You’ll hear from CSR leaders at: Microsoft, Electronic Arts, T. Rowe Price, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Engage for Good.

See you there!

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