Impact Innovations Podcast

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if you supported a clean water initiative—raised the funds, celebrated the impact—only to discover later that the water wasn’t actually safe to drink? This happens more than you might think.What if, instead, you could support an organization that doesn’t just drill wells—but treats, tests, maintains, and delivers safe water directly into people’s homes, just like the system you rely on every day?In this episode, Christelle Kwizera, founder and CEO of Water Access Rwanda, joins host Todd Manwaring to share how her team is bringing safe, affordable, tap-like water access to rural communities across Rwanda. Christelle explains why “clean” isn’t the same as “safe,” how Water Access Rwanda’s Inuma mini-grid model delivers treated water through pipelines with ongoing maintenance and testing, and what it takes to keep systems working years after the ribbon-cutting.You'll also learn:Why water projects fail when no one owns maintenance, monitoring, and accountabilityHow time savings from near-home water access can translate into income, dignity, and shifting gender rolesWhat the data says about health outcomes—and how Water Access Rwanda tracks active users instead of inflated totalsA special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Links from this episode:Learn more about Water Access Rwanda: https://www.warwanda.com/Check out more stories of clean water access: https://www.youtube.com/@wateraccessrwanda9821Find other effective social impact organizations here: http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy — What if the future of mental health didn’t depend on more doctors—but on empowering everyday people to care for each other?In this episode, Tom Osborn, founder and CEO of Shamiri, joins host Todd Manwaring to share how his organization is transforming mental health care in Kenya and across Africa. With an innovative model that trains near-peer counselors to deliver school-based, evidence-backed group sessions, Shamiri is reaching hundreds of thousands of students for just $7 each per year.Instead of relying on expensive or hard to access specialists, Shamiri is building a scalable, triaged system—backed by RCTs and real-time data—that works in low-resource settings, removes stigma, and delivers results.You’ll also learn:How Shamiri meets youth where they are—starting in schools, not clinicsWhy peer-led mental health sessions outperform traditional models in scalability and accessHow rigorous research and rapid iteration power Shamiri’s approach to delivering real changeWhat it means to build infrastructure for lasting impact—and why governments are key to scalingLinks from this episode:Support Shamiri and their mission: https://shamiri.co/get-involvedLearn more about DAFs and how to make giving easier: https://www.uicharitable.org/Find other high impact organizations around the world: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy — What if solving malnutrition didn’t require changing people’s diets—but simply improving what they’re already eating?In this episode, Curt Bowen, Executive Director of Semilla Nueva, joins Todd Manwaring to share how his nonprofit is tackling one of the world’s most stubborn and invisible challenges: chronic malnutrition. But instead of focusing on behavior change—often the hardest part of social interventions—Semilla Nueva starts with a food that millions already eat every day: corn.Through a natural process called biofortification, they’ve created a seed that’s cheaper, tastes better, and is packed with the nutrients children need to thrive—without asking farmers or families to change their habits.You’ll also learn:Why malnutrition is a root cause of generational poverty—and how it limits children’s brain development and future earning potentialHow Semilla Nueva scales impact by aligning with incentives farmers already care about (like yield and income)What it really takes to shift from good intentions to proven impact, and why RCTs (Randomized Controlled Trials) matterA special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Links from this episode:Donate to Semilla Nueva: https://semillanueva.org/donate/Find other effective social impact organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if your donation didn’t just feel good—but actually did good? In this eye-opening episode, Aaron Miller (professor at BYU’s Romney Institute and host of the "How to Help" podcast) joins Todd Manwaring to explore one of the biggest mistakes generous people make: assuming that giving alone is enough.They unpack the all-too-common “warm glow” trap and explain why outcomes—not intentions—should guide our giving. Together, they share practical ways donors can move from guesswork to strategic generosity, with tips on how to find and support organizations that create measurable, lasting change in people’s lives.You’ll also learn:Why fewer than 3% of donors vet organizations for effectiveness—and how you can be one of the few who doesHow philanthropy is like investing (and why most of us need an “impact advisor”)A powerful real-world example of a nonprofit that adjusted its model after learning it wasn’t workingWhere to find more vetted, high-impact organizationsA special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Links from this episode:Subscribe to get monthly updates: https://tally.so/r/wLyrlyHow to Help Podcast: https://how-to-help.com/podcast/Learn more about New Incentives and support their work: https://www.newincentives.org/donateFind more high impact vetted organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/Learn more about Living Goods here: https://livinggoods.org/

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if breaking the cycle of poverty required more than just job training—but also emotional healing, self-worth, and the belief that transformation is possible? What if all of this was possible through the help of dogs?In this episode of the Impact Innovations Podcast, we sit down with Natasha Herdman, CEO of Pawsperity, a nonprofit helping individuals impacted by poverty, addiction, and incarceration build new futures—starting with a pair of grooming shears and a second chance.Natasha shares how a phone call from her mom—a dog groomer in Iowa—sparked the idea for Pawsperity. What began as a job training initiative has grown into a powerful, trauma-informed model that combines hands-on grooming education, mental health support, and long-term case management. The result? Graduates go from making $8,500 a year to earning $47,000+, with 100% job placement within two months.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Learn more about Pawsperity here: https://pawsperity.org/Learn more about the Peery Preschool Study: https://highscope.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/perry-preschool-summary-40.pdfFind other effective social impact organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if poverty isn’t primarily about income—but about dignity, mindset, and self-agency? What if the people that should be solving poverty are poor people themselves, not governments or institutions?In this episode of the Impact Innovations Podcast, we speak with renowned social entrepreneur Dr. Martín Burt, author of Who Owns Poverty, founder and CEO of Fundación Paraguaya, and former Mayor of Asunción, Paraguay.Martín shares the origin story and impact of the Poverty Stoplight, a groundbreaking tool that helps families self-diagnose and overcome multidimensional poverty. He explains why starting with people’s strengths, not deficits, is the key—and how every family, no matter where they live, can define and achieve their own version of a poverty-free life.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Learn more about the Poverty Stoplight: https://www.povertystoplight.org/en/Learn more about Martin Burt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinburt/Learn more about Fundacion Paraguaya: https://www.fundacionparaguaya.org.py/#/index?lang=enLearn more about PivotWorks: https://www.pivotworks.org/Find other effective social impact organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by UI Charitable - In this episode, we talk with The Other Side Academy (TOSA)—a nonprofit transforming how we approach rehabilitation for people facing addiction, crime, and chronic incarceration. Their mission is simple: help individuals become drug free, crime free, and meaningfully employed—and their results far exceed most traditional programs.Hosts Tanner Mills, Jaxson Thomas, and Todd Manwaring speak with co-founders Joseph Grenny and Tim Stay about TOSA’s free, two-year residential program built on peer accountability, vocational training, and real-world responsibility. Through award-winning social enterprises like The Other Side Movers and Builders, TOSA empowers lasting change—and helps people build connected, purposeful lives.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Learn more about the TOSA here: https://www.theothersideacademy.com/Invest in TOSA here: https://iig.uicharitable.org/impact-opportunities/post/debt-investment-the-other-side-academy-N0rKB3YLqtH9lIwFind more high impact vetted organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by UI Charitable - In this episode, Todd Manwaring sits down with Ted Levinson, founder of Beneficial Returns, and Maria Luisa Chavez, Managing Director for Latin America, to discuss how social entrepreneurs are solving some of the world’s most urgent challenges—particularly in Latin America. Beneficial Returns provides long-term, affordable loans to mission-driven businesses that reduce poverty and protect the environment.Ted and Maria Luisa explain why their model prioritizes entrepreneurs, indigenous people, and why debt—rather than equity—can be the best tool to help these social businesses grow. They also share how philanthropic capital, especially from donor-advised funds and foundations, can be mobilized to support impact-first investing in ways that traditional finance can’t.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Learn more about Beneficial Returns here: https://beneficialreturns.com/Invest in Grupo Murlota: https://iig.uicharitable.org/impact-opportunities/post/debt-opportunity-groupo-murlota-Zin5ybkutI5L4zWLink to the book Factfulness: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814Find more high impact vetted organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/

Presented by UI Charitable - Luni shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to impact investing, the creation of the global impact accelerator Fledge, and the unique “Berkshire Hathaway” approach behind Africa Eats. The conversation highlights how Africa Eats supports African entrepreneurs in scaling food and agriculture businesses that uplift smallholder farmers and reduce food waste—while maintaining profitability.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Learn more about Luni Libes at http://lunarmobiscuit.comFind more high impact vetted organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/Invest in Africa Eats here: https://iig.uicharitable.org/impact-opportunities/post/equity-opportunity-africa-eats-FzyiFkOD8IaV0tX

Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - In our very first episode, we take you behind the scenes of the Impact Innovation Group to uncover the story behind its mission and the people who brought it to life. Host Todd Manwaring shares the inspiration, challenges, and bold vision that shaped IIG into a community dedicated to more intentional, effective philanthropy.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Find more high impact vetted organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/