In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with Matt Eldridge, Executive Director of Realize Impact, for a fascinating conversation about unlocking philanthropic capital to fuel for-profit innovation and social impact.

Matt shares his unique career journey—from nonprofit leadership and startup entrepreneurship to leading an organization that helps move charitable dollars into mission-driven businesses and investment funds. The discussion explores how donor-advised funds (DAFs) and philanthropic capital can be used to support for-profit companies creating meaningful social and environmental impact.

Chris and Matt break down the mechanics of impact investing in simple terms, explaining how entrepreneurs, fund managers, and investors can access a largely untapped pool of capital that has traditionally been reserved for charitable giving. They also discuss the rapid growth of impact investing, the importance of taking thoughtful risks with philanthropic dollars, and why sectors like accessibility and disability innovation are well positioned to benefit from these emerging funding pathways.

Whether you're an entrepreneur raising capital, an investor looking to align your assets with your values, or simply curious about the future of impact investing, this episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on how philanthropic capital can be used to drive meaningful change.

Linkes & Resources: 

Matt Eldridge: LinkedIn / [email protected]

Realize Impact: Website

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.