Money + Meaning

Across the country, thousands of businesses find themselves caught in a financing gap. They have outgrown early-stage sources of capital but remain too small, too community-focused, or too unconventional to attract institutional investors. These businesses often create jobs, strengthen local economies, and build community wealth, but they frequently struggle to access the flexible financing needed...

Public-private partnerships are often discussed in abstract terms, but for mission-driven financial institutions working in underserved communities, they can fundamentally change what’s possible. This conversation, recorded live at SOCAP25, explores how one federal initiative helped unlock new lending capacity for Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions na...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 invest...

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 wo...

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 capaci...

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 ag...

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 he...

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 fin...

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...

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 Consort...

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 hi...

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 invest...

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 conversatio...

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 impa...

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....