Untapped Philanthropy

In a new episode of Untapped Philanthropy , Amber Melanie Smith, award-winning nonprofit founder, social entrepreneur, and creator of Activate Good, joins host Tim Sarrantonio to explore what it means to build a life and career around genuine community service. Drawing on two decades of mobilizing volunteers and supporting nonprofit leaders, Amber reframes the connection between personal identity...

In a new episode of Untapped Philanthropy , philanthropic psychologist Jen Shang joins hosts Kerrin Mitchell and Tim Sarrantonio to explore a fundamental question: what if giving is rooted in identity, rather than financial transaction? Drawing on decades of research, Jen introduces philanthropic psychology as the study of how people love, and how that understanding can reshape fundraising, grantm...

In a new episode of Untapped Philanthropy , futurist Trista Harris joins hosts Kerrin Mitchell and Tim Sarrantonio to explore how the social sector can prepare for an increasingly uncertain future. Drawing on her work at Future Good , Trista reframes futurism as a practical discipline rooted in foresight, preparation, and choice.  The conversation examines how nonprofits and funders can move from...

In this season finale of Untapped Philanthropy , hosts Kerrin Mitchell and Tim Sarrantonio reflect on the moments, shifts, and conversations that defined 2025 for the social sector. From the evolving role of AI to growing expectations around accountability, value, and agency, they explore what surprised them most and what lessons are shaping the year ahead. This candid conversation looks beyond he...

In this episode of Untapped Philanthropy, we sit down with Chris Aurelio, Director of Security and Compliance at Fluxx, to explore how cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of trust in the philanthropic sector. Together, we unpack the latest threat trends, the role of AI in both risk and defense, and how mission-driven organizations can protect their data—and their impact—in an increasingly digit...

This week on Untapped Philanthropy, Gloria Feldt, a nationally recognized expert on leadership, power, and movement building, joins us as our guest. As the co-founder and president of Take The Lead, she is championing a bold vision to achieve gender parity in leadership across all sectors. In this episode, Gloria explores what it means to lead with intention, courage, and strategy, drawing from he...

Guest: Emily Rasmussen This week on Untapped Philanthropy , Emily Rasmussen, Founder & CEO of Grapevine, explores how giving circles are reimagining community-driven philanthropy. She discusses the emotional and practical value of collaborative giving, why connection matters more than ever, and how platforms like Grapevine are making generosity more accessible, inclusive, and impactful. To lea...

Guest: David Beckman This week on Untapped Philanthropy , David Beckman, President of the Pisces Foundation, challenges conventional thinking in environmental philanthropy. From his early legal advocacy to leading a foundation, Beckman shares how narrative, influence, and funding structures—not policy alone—shape the path to real change. He discusses the importance of local engagement, participato...

Guest: Ori Carmel In this milestone 50th episode of Untapped Philanthropy , we welcome Ori Carmel, co-founder of Sowen, to explore the challenges and opportunities in how the social sector measures impact. Ori discusses his latest research on data-driven decision-making, the inefficiencies plaguing philanthropy, and the role of systems thinking in creating sustainable change. To learn more about S...

Guest: Graham Macmillan  What role does corporate philanthropy play in balancing the social sector? In this episode of Untapped Philanthropy , Graham Macmillan, President of Visa Foundation, explains why corporate giving is the “third leg of the stool” that provides stability and drives innovation. Graham shares insights into how the Visa Foundation blends financial resources, employee expertise,...

Guest: Trista Harris   Futurist Trista Harris returns to Untapped Philanthropy to explore the future of the social sector. She discusses the rising challenges facing philanthropy, the impact of AI on nonprofit work, and why organizations must adopt long-term visioning to stay ahead. Tune in for insights on how nonprofits can prepare for what’s next and double down on their missions in uncertain ti...

As 2024 comes to a close, Untapped Philanthropy hosts Kerrin Mitchell and Tim Sarrantonio reflect on a transformative year and explore what’s next for the social sector. From AI’s growing influence to shifts in donor engagement and advocacy, this episode provides a thought-provoking recap of the year’s biggest trends. To learn more about Fluxx, visit: www.fluxx.io To learn more about NeonOne, visi...

Guest: Alex Amouyel In this episode, Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, discusses the foundation's unique model of directing 100% of profits to nonprofit causes. Alex shares insights into the foundation's commitment to empowering children facing adversity, the launch of innovative initiatives like the Food Justice for Kids Prize, and the role of transparency...

Guest: Roland Kennedy Jr. In this episode of Untapped Philanthropy, Roland Kennedy Jr., Grants Director at the Carnegie Corporation, discusses how equity, trust, and technology can reshape philanthropy. Drawing from his personal journey and professional experience, Kennedy explores how to dismantle power imbalances in the sector and create more inclusive, community-centered giving practices. To le...

In this special episode, Untapped Philanthropy host Kerrin Mitchell introduces the newest addition to our podcast family, Coffee, Tea, & Philanthropy . While Kerrin and Tim were busy attending various industry events, we took the opportunity to spotlight this exciting new series, hosted by Bill Campbell. Coffee, Tea, & Philanthropy explores the transformative power of philanthropy through...

Guest: Victoria Vrana Discover how the groundbreaking Atlas project is transforming global philanthropy by creating the world’s largest database of nonprofits, making it easier to support and verify organizations across the globe. Learn about the challenges of cross-border giving, the role of technology in equity, and the future of data-driven philanthropy. Perfect for anyone passionate about maki...

Guests: Debby Bielak and Liz Jain In this episode of Untapped Philanthropy, Debby Bielak and Liz Jain from Bridgespan discuss their latest research on funding advocacy. They provide a comprehensive primer on the different types of advocacy, share success stories, and offer practical advice for funders looking to support systemic change. Discover how to navigate the complexities of advocacy funding...

Guest: Genevieve Smith  In this episode of Untapped Philanthropy, we are joined by Genevieve Smith, founder of GV Advisory, to discuss her unique approach to data practices in the nonprofit sector. Genevieve shares her journey and the importance of creating mission-aligned data cultures. Learn how nonprofits can leverage data to better understand and serve their communities while fostering trust a...

Guest: Jesse Bourns In this episode of Untapped Philanthropy, we sit down with Jesse Bourns, co-founder of DARO, to discuss the transformative potential of data sharing in the nonprofit sector. Jesse shares his journey and insights on how to overcome common pitfalls in data sharing, emphasizing the importance of collective action and interoperability. Discover how DARO is pioneering new methodolog...

Guest: Nathan Chappell This episode of Untapped Philanthropy features Nathan Chappell, who delves into the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the nonprofit sector. As a leader in AI applications for fundraising, Nathan offers insights into ethical considerations and the need for transparency in AI deployment to enhance donor relations and improve fundraising tactics. To learn more about...

Guest: Eric Ressler In this enlightening episode of Untapped Philanthropy, hosts Kerrin Mitchell and Tim Sarrantonio welcome Eric Ressler, the creative force behind Cosmic, to discuss the dynamic intersection of digital innovation and social impact. Delve into a conversation that challenges conventional nonprofit narratives, advocates for a reimagined approach to social impact branding, and emphas...

Guest: Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew Dive into an insightful conversation with Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew on the latest episode of Untapped Philanthropy. Discover how she leverages her expertise in philanthropy, community engagement, and leadership development to inspire and transform communities through the power of relationships. To learn more about Soulstice Consultancy , visit www.drfroswaboo...

Guest: Trista Harris Trista Harris joins the team to talk about futurism in philanthropy, how to approach a futurist framework, and discusses upcoming trends for 2024. There’s a lot of talk about AI, some rapid fire questions, and a lot of great discussion all around. To learn more about FutureGood, visit wearefuturegood.com To learn more about Fluxx, visit fluxx.io To learn more about Neon One, v...

Guest: Philip Deng In our last episode of the year, Tim and Kerrin speak with Philip Deng from Grantable about how they are leveraging AI in an innovative and responsible way. Additionally, Philip talks a little about a term he coined - “Sectorism” - to address some of the challenges nonprofits face within the private sector, especially surrounding technology. To learn more about Grantable, visit...

Guests: Natalie Byrne, Kyran O’Mahoney and Chris White, Ellie Bertani,  Kathryne Cooper and Maya Hardigan This episode of Untapped Philanthropy was recorded live from the Clinton Global Initiative, and features six amazing guests who are impacting social change. Tim and Kerrin meet with leaders from Blank Space, The National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the Gitlab Foundation, Jumpstart Nova,...