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

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