Money + Meaning

Nature-based solutions are widely recognized as essential to addressing climate and biodiversity challenges. Yet despite their potential, they remain significantly underfunded. The reasons are familiar: long timelines, uncertain returns, and limited investor confidence in how to measure and monetize impact. This conversation, recorded at SOCAP25, explores how new financial approaches are beginning to shift that dynamic. By linking financial returns to measurable results, these structures offer a way to translate long-term environmental value into something investable today.

This episode of Money and Meaning features David Bank, Founder and Editor at ImpactAlpha, and Mark Davis, CEO of Table Sense. Based in the Heartland, Table Sense brings together the tools of impact investing, research, and policy to create systematic, financially sustainable, and politically durable solutions in the child welfare space across the U.S. The conversation touches on the opportunities of child-lens investing, which Davis describes as reducing drag on the economy through investing in human potential through proven, practical services.

In a moment when communities are feeling real pain in real time, place-based investing offers something many capital strategies can’t: urgency, context, and accountability to the people who live with the outcomes. Recorded live at SOCAP25, this episode of Money + Meaning brings together foundation leaders pushing beyond the traditional “5%” grantmaking model and putting their full balance sheets to work. The panel explores what it actually takes to align endowments with mission, how internal teams are restructuring to break down silos, and why collaboration across institutions isn’t optional — it’s part of the responsibility.

In this special episode of Money and Meaning, members of the SOCAP team share details on the move of SOCAP’s flagship conference from San Francisco to Chicago in 2026. The team discusses the strategic reasons behind the move, including the Midwest’s strong institutions aligned with SOCAP’s mission. The region is home to leading innovations in impact finance, climate solutions, and community investment, as well as key partners like the MacArthur Foundation and Chicago Community Trust. Tune in to learn more about this exciting next chapter!

Recorded at SOCAP25, this episode of Money + Meaning explores the intersection of economic and political power, the significance of ownership and governance, and how capital can support communities in achieving lasting self-determination.

AI is transforming the way young people learn, work, and plan their futures. The entry-level job market is shrinking, internships aren’t keeping up, and a generation graduating into an AI-first labor market is trying to navigate shifting expectations in real-time. In this episode of Money + Meaning, recorded live at SOCAP25 and co-curated with American Student Assistance, investors and founders working across education, workforce development, and philanthropy explore how capital can help young people thrive because of AI — not in spite of it.

Impact investing often centers on models, metrics, and capital stacks. But as facilitator and coach Michael Kass shares in conversation with SOCAP’s Sarah Sterling, outcomes are also shaped by the stories organizations live inside, the trust within teams, and the relationships among founders, funders, and boards. By treating money as energy and expanding due diligence to include culture and capacity, investors and entrepreneurs can design partnerships that create systemic, lasting change. This episode of Money + Meaning explores how narrative alignment, right-sized growth, and co-created reporting can make deals more resilient.

Created in partnership with Root Capital and ImpactAlpha, this episode shines a light on how climate shifts are impacting farmers worldwide. As climate change makes farming riskier and more expensive, Root Capital is on the front lines with farmers around the world, helping to identify and finance innovative solutions to build prosperous, resilient farming communities. Working specifically with agricultural businesses, Root Capital works to provide farmers and workers in emerging markets with the credit capacity and connections they need to grow their impact. To date, it has lent more than $2 billion to 1,000 businesses and improved the livelihoods of 10 million people.

Bridging the healthcare financing gap by mobilizing private capital through sustainable financing alongside public funds is essential to achieving universal health coverage and SDG3 by 2030. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and retreat from investing in the global health enterprise this year have added to this gap, with long-term ramifications on disease transmission and a loss in global public health infrastructure. The role of private capital working in collaboration with multiple stakeholders is at a critical juncture for action. In this episode of Money + Meaning, recorded at SOCAP24, learn about successful impact investment case studies in global health, including in low- to middle-income countries. You'll hear about proven innovative financing solutions and dive into the critical and remarkable potential for technology, “health tech,” and AI in scaling global health care solutions.

Shifts in policy and public sentiment are creating headwinds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in various sectors. However, some mission-driven allocators are staying the course on their commitments to a diverse investing future. By continuing these investments, allocators address the funding equity gap for founders who are people of color, women, or both. They also pursue financial returns and a more vibrant, sustainable economy.  This episode features a SOCAP24 session that spotlights allocators who offer examples for other investors seeking diverse funding opportunities and stronger financial performance.

Mental health issues affect about one in five Americans, but accessing appropriate services remains a challenge for many. These challenges layer atop issues including a fragmented mental health care ecosystem and a shortage of providers. In this episode of Money + Meaning, investors and mental health services professionals share their thoughts and ideas on creating a more integrated and equitable mental health care system.

Collaborators who launched the Inclusive Capital Exchange (ICX) at SOCAP24 are preparing for its second year of enhancing the flow of capital between impact funders and founders at SOCAP25. As they incorporate lessons from the initial experience, the ICX team sees broader opportunities to drive effective deal-making and “help investors get off their assets” at SOCAP25.

An initiative launched to connect more entrepreneurs and communities with capital for impact is making an urgent call for additional funders and organizations. An influx of catalytic capital — investments that acknowledge the risk involved — is needed to address global social and environmental challenges and realize the full potential of impact investing.  Partners in the Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3) provide a look at their progress and plans for building this patient, flexible, and risk-tolerant investment field in this Money + Meaning podcast, recorded at SOCAP24.

This episode of Money + Meaning features leaders from World Education Services, a global social enterprise committed to 100% mission-aligned investing. Tune in to hear lessons learned, milestones, and how the bold decision aims to reinforce the organization’s approach to impact.

Recorded at SOCAP24, this discussion features leaders in the field who offer a comprehensive overview of the climate capital landscape and share how they are working to transform economic systems to be in harmony with the planet.

This episode of Money + Meaning showcases the potential that shared business ownership holds to benefit stakeholders and drive systems change. Recorded at SOCAP24, the conversation features experts in the field who discuss the role that investors can play in supporting employee ownership models and how shared ownership helps build more resilient, equitable, and profitable businesses.

What can you expect at SOCAP24? Three full days of networking and learning infused with the spirit of community, the power of connection, and the magic of serendipity—all with the goal of facilitating capital flow for impact. In a new episode of the Money + Meaning podcast, members of the SOCAP Global team share a look at what’s in store at SOCAP24!

Philanthropic funding can serve as a tool to reduce risks in blended finance projects and attract more private investment for sustainable development. As part of a collaborative approach, grants and project financing help innovative opportunities become investment-ready and take steps toward impact at scale.     A new episode of Money and Meaning features a conversation recorded at SOCAP23 that highlights specific, actionable examples of private capital used to catalyze market-driven solutions.  This podcast episode features: Belinda Morris, Co-Founder of Colibri Catalyst Daniel Uribe, Executive Director of Fundación Corona  Liesel Pritzker Simmons, Co-Founder and Principal of Blue Haven Initiative Kunle Apampa, Head of Client Solutions & Partnerships at Capricorn Investment Group, Moderator

Explore the advantages of centering community voices in the investment decision process. In this conversation, learn about new models of participatory investment that are helping to build a more inclusive and effective impact investing community. By giving entrepreneurs and grassroots communities a voice and vote in investment decisions, practitioners are centering community voices in their investment decision processes.

A new Money + Meaning episode features leaders in healthcare and finance who discuss the widespread housing crisis and how they’re partnering and innovating to expand the housing stock and provide wraparound services for social and financial impact.

By shifting to a more just and inclusive approach to philanthropy, funders can help support the development and scaling of more sustainable social enterprises and build long-term impact. It’s an approach that reimages philanthropy by developing trust-based relationships that better center the experiences of community groups on the frontlines of social and environmental challenges. This conversation features three practitioners who discuss the role of trust-based philanthropy in the impact ecosystem. They demonstrate how relationship-building can help address the inherent power imbalance between funders and communities seeking resources to achieve their goals.

SOCAP’s annual convening serves as a springboard for ongoing collaboration and conversation, and partnerships are integral to amplifying the event’s impact and reach. In a new Money + Meaning podcast, Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter and Tova Lobatz of SOCAP Global discuss the pivotal role of SOCAP partnerships, their contribution to event content, and how SOCAP works with partners to amplify their impact.

By re-examining traditional methods of investing and funding, foundations and endowments are working with partners to connect capital with communities most affected by the climate crisis. This path helps center the voices of people in frontline communities who are most familiar with the challenges and addresses social and environmental impacts, from pollution to health inequity to systemic racism. Leaders from social justice organizations and foundations discuss how they are reshaping their work to support community wealth creation and strategies to mitigate climate change in a new Money and Meaning podcast recorded at SOCAP23.

In this episode of Money + Meaning, Advantage Capital Managing Director Ryan Brennan discusses how the firm continues to evolve its practices and expand its reach. His conversation with Nzinga Broussard of Sorenson Impact Institute was recorded live at SOCAP23. With a portfolio that includes more than $4 billion invested over more than 30 years, Advantage Capital demonstrates how investing can create waves of positive impact across communities and sectors. The firm’s unique investment approach prioritizes meaningful impact measurement and dynamic partnerships.

As the global impact community evolves and expands, so does SOCAP Global’s annual flagship conference. One key element is SOCAP Open, which invites the impact community to submit session proposals and brings new voices and differing perspectives to SOCAP. SOCAP Open offers individuals and organizations the chance to showcase innovative ideas, delve into impactful solutions, and open conversations about pressing issues on the SOCAP stage. Two members of the SOCAP team sat down for a Money + Meaning podcast conversation on guidelines and updates for this year’s process.

A new Money + Meaning podcast episode features a SOCAP23 session exploring innovative funding models that go beyond equity and debt. Three fund managers share their capital solutions designed to better meet the financial needs of many entrepreneurs, especially founders, who often are overlooked in traditional funding markets.

A Canadian social finance firm is demonstrating the value of a community-driven outcomes tool for positive impact. With a focus on revitalizing Indigenous economies, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is partnering with communities to address social and environmental challenges and expand access to capital. Their innovative financial projects and products include Raven’s Indigenous Outcomes Fund and Community-Driven Outcomes Contracts, which address priority issues in Indigenous communities such as health, climate, and workforce development.

This Money + Meaning podcast features a SOCAP23 panel moderated by Enable Ventures Founder Regina Kline. During the “Closing the Disability Wealth Gap” dialogue, Kline spoke with entrepreneurs from four catalytic, impactful, high-growth startups who are leading the charge in technical innovations specifically for the disability sector. In this conversation, they are joined by customers and end users of their products to discuss how these innovative solutions are changing the world.

On the final day of SOCAP23, three Content Curation Council members gathered to discuss highlights and insights from the event and take a look at what’s ahead. Matthew Bishop, Senior Fellow at Sorenson Impact Institute, moderated the discussion with social impact leaders Andia Chakava of Afrishela, Morgan Simon of Candide Group, and María Carolina Suarez Visbal of Latimpacto. As Content Curation Council members, the three helped select and shape sessions and speakers under the event’s overarching theme, Facing Urgency: Impact at the Speed of Trust.

With a record of strong growth over the last decade, the impact investing field has the opportunity to lead in new ways and build on that promise by attracting new investors, organizations, and partnerships for action to drive and amplify positive change. That’s part of the message that Jim Sorenson, Founder of the Sorenson Impact Foundation, shares with Robert Munson, President of SOCAP Global, in a new Money + Meaning podcast. In a Q&A session, they explore the importance of cross-sector events like SOCAP23 and the power of leadership and collaboration for positive social impact through policy, enterprise, and investment.

By embracing a broader view of impact and community from the start, the people who helped found and nurture SOCAP built a strong foundation for an event that continues to grow and connect global changemakers. From the first SOCAP conference in 2008 to the upcoming SOCAP23, the behind-the-stage leadership shares a passion for building the impact community while creating an event to help drive action on some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This episode features the story behind SOCAP’s origins and a look at its future, drawn from a conversation at SOCAP22. SOCAP Global President Robert Munson facilitated the Q&A with other SOCAP leaders and founders.

In a time of growing global challenges and social divisions, the arts and culture sector presents new opportunities for connection and transformation to drive systemic change.

Technology-driven startups and entrepreneurs are crafting products and methods to reduce the food industry’s greenhouse gas footprint. As they create foods with alternative materials and innovations, they also are shaping a more resilient future for people and the planet. This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at leaders and products from four food tech companies. They shared the stories behind their brands — and samples of their creations — during an interactive session at SOCAP22.

As impact investing makes a difference in communities around the world, practitioners are addressing regional challenges with innovative approaches that can inspire others. Made-in-Canada impact investing approaches to social and environmental issues get the spotlight in this Money and Meaning episode.

This Money and Meaning episode features a powerful SOCAP22 session with Trisha Etringer, Shelley Buffalo, and Sikowis Nobiss of the Great Plains Action Society, who call for action and support to end the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis. Pulling from their personal and professional experiences, they share how the private sector can move toward a more just and regenerative economy by recognizing, trusting, and investing in the work of Indigenous women.

Entrepreneurs and investors are partnering to help improve the textile industry's social and climate impact. With innovative materials and operational changes for efficiency and transparency, they are taking aim at the 1.2 billion tons of CO2 produced annually during textile creation. This Money + Meaning episode features a discussion from SOCAP22 with fashion leaders and funders who are seizing the opportunity to reshape material, supply chain, and consumer systems for greater circularity in textiles. By funding and creating projects to close the fashion ecosystem loop, they are moving forward on a path to decarbonization and realizing new opportunities along the value chain.

As companies face growing demands from customers, investors, employees, and regulators to improve their environmental and social impact, some are creating or adding to the job of chief sustainability officer. Through a broader scope and emphasis, this sustainability-focused role can help organizations meet new expectations and set a path toward a more resilient future.  This Money + Meaning episode builds on information from a new report from Korn Ferry on The Rise of the Chief Sustainability Officer, which incorporates information from interviews with more than 50 CEOs and CSOs on the role of sustainability in their operations, strategy, culture, and leadership. The conversation, moderated by Imogen Rose-Smith, Managing Director of Confluence Partners, explores how the rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations among stakeholders has more companies looking to incorporate sustainability throughout their enterprises and drive business success.

Organizations are expanding their impact mindset to create transparent, holistic approaches that can help shape sustainable supply chains and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. In this Money + Meaning conversation, Amy Brachio, EY Global Deputy Vice Chair for Sustainability, and Imogen Rose-Smith of Confluence Partners discuss how organizations and investors are addressing social and environmental issues to build positive impact on communities.

This episode of Money and Meaning is a recording of a fireside chat at the 2023 Sorenson Impact Summit with Randy Shumway, Founder of Cicero Group, and Geoff Davis, CEO of Sorenson Impact. Randy discusses how his more than 20 years of volunteering with people who are experiencing homelessness have influenced Cicero Group’s consulting work for social impact with governments and foundations. And he shares why evidence-based approaches are necessary to effectively address the increasing dilemma of homelessness throughout the United States.

This episode of Money and Meaning is a recording of an onstage conversation at SOCAP22 between Dr. Allison Boxer, Managing Director of Sorenson Impact Center, and Dr. Roslyn Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. The college in Columbia, South Carolina, is among the highest-ranked historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, in the Southeast. Benedict College is also a partner in Sorenson Impact Center’s MAPS Project. Using data and a student-centric approach, the MAPS Project aims to help higher education institutions adapt to changing enrollment trends and better serve the needs of more diverse student bodies. In this podcast, Dr. Artis and Dr. Boxer discuss opportunities and challenges at Benedict College and how innovative financial structures can help HBCUs support students on a path toward academic and professional success.

Empowering women impact entrepreneurs to reach their fullest potential and drive social and environmental change is the goal of the Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI), which became SOCAP’s newest Entrepreneur Program partner in 2022. Through the SOCAP Entrepreneur Program, CWI fellows and other selected social entrepreneurs from around the globe gain access to SOCAP’s broad network of investors, donors, and changemakers.  In fields from fashion to wastewater management to health care, the CWI fellows are building solutions to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. At SOCAP22, several CWI social entrepreneurs shared more about their company’s impact story and the challenges of their work in conversation with Sarah Sterling, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at SOCAP Global. This episode of SOCAP’s Money + Meaning podcast features highlights of conversations with Angel Chang of ANGEL CHANG, Ting Shih of ClickMedix, Rebecca Hui of Roots Studio, Orianna Bretschger of Aquacycl, and Kelly Nguyen of DrKumo Inc. Listen to the conversation to hear from these entrepreneurs and learn about the support that the SOCAP community can provide to advance the entrepreneurs’ dreams and amplify collective impact.

For 30 years, Advantage Capital has imagined new possibilities for impact by investing private institutional capital in businesses from traditionally underserved communities. Ryan Brennan, Managing Director at Advantage Capital, says the firm’s goal is to get funding to innovative entrepreneurs poised for growth by moving “capital to places where it doesn’t naturally go.”  Brennan is featured in the newest episode of SOCAP’s Money + Meaning podcast recorded live at SOCAP22 in San Francisco. In a conversation with Imogen Rose-Smith of Confluence Partners, Brennan discusses Advantage Capital’s 38-question investment matrix, impact measurement, institutional investors, and more.  “Our ethos is quality jobs, real wages, ability to create and grow wealth in some of the toughest communities in the United States,” Brennan says. “We’re going to places capital doesn’t go, probably for a reason.” Founded 30 years ago as one of the first participants in a public-private partnership designed to attract venture capital firms to Louisiana, Advantage Capital has since grown to serve 80 funds and 17 states. “We have this mission of taking capital to New Orleans, to rural Nebraska, to upstate Connecticut and finding these incredible entrepreneurs that in a lot of cases are being missed by traditional sources,” Brennan says. With an investor base that is predominantly insurance companies and banks, Advantage Capital stretches beyond traditional impact investor sources by offering a fixed-income investment, he said. “What we’ve found over 30 years is that they might’ve gotten into it for a fixed rate of return; now they love the impact.” Listen to the full conversation!

Biases that limit investors and support organizations are often reinforced by a lack of market visibility. One unexploited solution involves using systems data to boost the visibility of the relationships that small and growing businesses have in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in which they operate. Featured voices: Jason Eaves, CEO of Discover Markets; Adesuwa Rhodes, Founder & CEO of Aruwa Capital Management; and Pratap Raju, Founding Partner of the Climate Collective Foundation.

For the third year, SOCAP Global is pleased to present the State of the Field and Practice of Impact Investing. Join Fran Seegull, President of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance; Monique Aiken, Managing Director or TIIP & Co-founder of Make Justice Normal; and Cathy Clark, Faculty Director at CASE at Duke to hear about the current state, emerging trends, threats and opportunities as impact investing moves more mainstream. This podcast is presented in advance of SOCAP22, held Oct. 17-20 at YBCA in San Francisco.

For 75 years UNICEF has been supporting the well-being of children around the globe, helping to save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization. In 2011, UNICEF USA launched an impact investment fund, the Impact Fund for Children (IF4C). Since the fund’s launch, IF4C has deployed close to half a billion dollars. On this episode, Alex Kravitz is joined by the President of the Impact Fund for Children, Cristina Shapiro. They discuss the innovative fund design that utilizes both grant and investment capital, the multiplying effect of investing in children, and new ways the IF4C is thinking about the use of investment capital to confront challenges facing children around the globe.

On this episode, host Alex Kravitz is joined by Jasper van Brakel, the President and CEO of RSF Social Finance. Since the 1980s, RSF has been driving capital to social enterprises supporting a more just and regenerative world. As an intermediary, RSF has long supported direct relationships between transactional partners, which led to the launch of their innovative Community Pricing Gatherings in 2009. These meetings bring together investors in their flagship Social Investment Fund, borrowers from the fund, and RSF staff to set interest rates each quarter. Instead of relying on invisible market forces to dictate interest rates, these meetings create direct relationships between investor and borrower and have proven to be a risk mitigant for investors. During the conversation, Alex and Jasper discuss the Community Pricing Gatherings, other forms of stakeholder governance, RSF’s new Racial Justice Collaborative, and much more.

“It’s not just about what you invest in, it’s about how you invest.” In their new book ‘Letting Go’, Ben Wrobel and Meg Massey make the case that in order to effectively tackle social challenges, philanthropists and impact investors need to cede control of funding decisions to people with lived experiences of the challenges they are trying to solve. During this episode, Meg and Ben join host, Alex Kravitz, to discuss the origin of the participatory funding movement, examples of innovative organizations working to center community voice, and some of the differences between building participation into philanthropic grantmaking vs. impact investing.

On this episode of Money and Meaning, host Alex Kravitz is joined by Shalini Rao, Director of Growth Equity at Generation Investment Management. Originally founded in 2004 by Al Gore and David Blood, Generation currently manages over $30B in assets with 100% invested in long-term, sustainable investments. The growth equity team recently closed their third Sustainable Solutions Fund with over $1B in committed capital, which they invest in three broad impact areas: planetary health, people health, and financial inclusion. During the conversation, Shalini talks about the importance of fully integrating sustainability into the investment process. She also discusses Generation’s use of investment roadmaps to identify systems positive outcomes (outcomes necessary to drive change in our economic and social systems) and how they work back from these desired outcomes to identify viable investment opportunities.

“You’ll get no argument from me that there are sectors where moving institutional scale, finance-first money is what’s needed. Our argument is that in places where the market is not functioning, in places where markets have left people behind, that this kind of low-cost money is required in order to make a difference in the lives of poor, marginalized, vulnerable communities and we shouldn’t delude ourselves into believing that finance-first [impact investing] is a magic bullet.” On this episode of Money + Meaning, Alex Kravitz is joined by Greg Neichin, Director and Board Member of Ceniarth, the impact-first single family office of Diane Isenberg. Ceniarth’s investment strategy focuses on geographies and markets where commercial, finance-first investment is not realistic. Investments in these areas, primarily marginalized, rural communities, necessitates a meaningful tradeoff between impact and return. During the conversation, Greg talks about the evolution of Ceniarth's impact-first approach and the important role that family offices and foundations can play in the sector.

“Lending has the capacity to transform what people can do based on their capabilities and not necessarily based just on the opportunities that they’ve been dealt. If you believe, like I do, that capabilities are equally distributed but opportunities certainly are not, then lending can be a way to try to level the playing field a bit more.” This episode of Money and Meaning features Jacob Haar, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Community Investment Management (CIM). CIM is an institutional impact investment manager that provides debt capital to lenders who are doing innovative work in underserved communities. The CIM capital both helps these organizations scale up their lending practices to serve more customers and helps to bring responsible and transparent solutions for the underserved into the financial mainstream.