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/