Impact Audio

This episode of the Impact Audio explores the invisible forces that can nudge people away from (or toward) charitable giving. Sam Caplan digs into research, chats with a social psychologist, and breaks down why some common tactics to encourage donations can actually backfire. He covers:• Why context is more important than you think • How a focus on ROI can get in the way• What to do when the problem feels too bigEpisode Notes:• Read the research on prosocial behavior• Check out the experiments focused on calculative mindset• Dig into the study by Matthew Chao on demotivating incentives in charitable giving• Read about the adverse effect of choice in donation decisions• Learn more about pseudoinefficacy• Find out how unfairness can impact charitable donations• Dig into the role of identity in charitable giving• To learn more about Submittable’s groundbreaking Microsoft Teams integration, visit submittable.com/teams

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Andrea Bell, Director of CSR Learning Programs at ACCP. She sits down with Sam Caplan to share their thoughts and takeaways from the 2025 ACCP Annual Conference.Andrea and Sam discuss:Why CSR leaders must develop serious business acumen alongside their impact expertiseThe shift from measuring only external impact to demonstrating internal business valueWhy resilient leadership matters more than ever in uncertain timesLinks:Follow Andrea on LinkedInFollow Sam on LinkedinLearn more about ACCPRead ACCP’s insights blogMore about the 2025 ACCP Annual ConferenceListen to our recent episode with ACCP CEO, Andrea WoodListen to our 2024 episode with former ACCP CEO, Carolyn BerkowitzCheck out keynote speaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones’, book “Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual”

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features David Callahan, founder and editor-in-chief of Inside Philanthropy. Sam and David explore the current landscape of today’s mega donors and how the ultrarich will shape the future of philanthropy.David breaks down:• The current “cultures” of mega donors in the US.• Why and how mega donors are rejecting the traditional foundation model.• The role heirs will play in changing how philanthropy gets done.

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Project Evident’s founder and CEO Kelly Fitzsimmons and CIO Sarah Di Troia. They dig into how AI is empowering the social impact sector and what practitioners need to do their best work. They break down:• Why “do no harm” is not a solid AI strategy• How evidence powers innovation•Why AI requires a new level of collaboration for the social sector

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Tip Tucker Kendall, executive director of NGMA, and Lashon Brown, president of NGMA. They break down how the role of public sector grantmakers is changing. They cover:• Where grantmakers’ focus should be right now• How public scrutiny is reshaping the landscape• What community means to the sector

In this insightful discussion, Matt Hanson, the Managing Director of Grant and Policy at Witt O'Brien's, shares his extensive experience in the grants world. He dives into the changing dynamics of government grantmaking, emphasizing the expanded roles states will play in funding distribution. Matt highlights how grantmakers can dismantle silos for better collaboration and discusses the essential role of technology in enhancing efficiency. The conversation also underscores adapting strategies in response to new federal funding challenges, especially post-pandemic.

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Andrea Wood, president and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP). She shares insights about how today’s CSR professionals can best make the business case for their programs.Andrea digs into:• Data that highlights the value of CSR• Fresh communication strategies for CSR teams• How the current political climate plays a role

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Stacy Huston, executive director of SixDegrees.org. She shares how her organization partners with nonprofits to fill the resource gap and spread the word about community programs.Stacy covers:• Why the resource gap is about more than funding• How to best help nonprofits tell their stories• The strategy behind SixDegrees’ most successful projects

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Submittable colleagues Sam Caplan and Laura Steele, who sat down to discuss takeaways from the 2025 PEAK Grantmaking Conference.They cover:• How the conversation around equity has evolved• The sector’s reactions to new external pressures• What grantmakers are focused on in the year ahead

This episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Karen Bergin, senior director of employee engagement and disaster response at Microsoft. She shares how the company sustains one of the world’s biggest and most impactful employee giving programs.Karen covers:• How Microsoft creates a personalized experience for employees• The feedback loops that help the program evolve• What it takes to measure the impact of employee giving