PhilanthroPunks: Why today’s philanthropy calls for an old-school DIY punk attitude
The people who are pushing philanthropy forward today often possess a unique mix of fearlessness and ingenuity. They’re willing to call out injustice and then do something tangible about it. So it’s not surprising how many of them have roots in the punk and hardcore scene.
This Impact Audio LIVE episode brings together five people who came up in the punk scene and now shape philanthropy and the nonprofit world. Together they dig into the overlap between the punk ethos and purpose-driven work, including:
- Honest takes on power and gatekeeping
- Practical ideas for how the nonprofit sector can keep its edge while doing long-haul change work
- How to prioritize real action over performative messaging
Sam Caplan is the Vice President of Social Impact at Submittable, a platform that foundations, governments, nonprofits, and other changemakers use to launch, manage, and measure impactful granting and CSR programs. Inspired by the amazing work performed by practitioners of all stripes, Sam strives to help them achieve their missions through better, more effective software.
Sam formerly served as founder of New Spark Strategy, Chief Information Officer at the Walton Family Foundation, and head of technology at the Walmart Foundation. He consults, advises, and writes on social impact technology, strategy, and innovation.
Connect with or follow Sam on Linkedin, listen to his podcast Impact Audio, and subscribe to his bi-weekly newsletter The Review.
Aleda Gagarin leads Candid's fight for a stronger social sector through thought leadership, strategic coalitions, and campaigns that drive collective impact. As VP of Influence, she directs Communications and Brand Awareness, Development, and Partnerships—shaping how Candid shows up, what we say, and who we stand with. Aleda cut her teeth in Philly's hardcore scene in high school and DC's punk scene in college, where she was active with the Movement for Social Justice, Food Not Bombs, and the National Conference on Organized Resistance. She's been a New York punk the past 21 years and still tours with the band Scarboro, bringing that same conviction to her work fighting for data as a public good and pushing for systems change in philanthropy.
Jenny Toomey is the former director of the Ford Foundation’s Catalyst Fund, a $50 million, three-year investment to build the field of Public Interest Technology, and previously led efforts to expand access, transparency, innovation, and participation in the internet. Jenny is founder and co-frontwoman of DC band Tsunami, as well as the independent record label Simple Machine Records. She's performed on 12 albums, dozens of compilation records and singles, and a musical.
Before joining the Chronicle in 2013, Alex covered Congress and national politics for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He covered the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns and reported extensively about Walmart Stores for the Little Rock paper. Alex was the drummer of DC hardcore band Swiz. A band autobiography was published in 2025, and the band's remastered catalog was recently released on Dischord records.
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