Unlocking Philanthropic Capital: Matt Eldridge, Realize Impact

Unlocking Philanthropic Capital: Matt Eldridge, Realize Impact

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with Matt Eldridge, Executive Director of Realize Impact, for a fascinating conversation about unlocking philanthropic capital to fuel for-profit innovation and social impact. Matt shares his unique career journey—from nonprofit leadership and startup entrepreneurship to leading an organization that helps move charitable dollars into mission-driven businesses and investment funds. The discussion explores how donor-advised funds (DAFs) and philanthropic capital can be used to support for-profit companies creating meaningful social and environmental impact. Chris and Matt break down the mechanics of impact investing in simple terms, explaining how entrepreneurs, fund managers, and investors can access a largely untapped pool of capital that has traditionally been reserved for charitable giving. They also discuss the rapid growth of impact investing, the importance of taking thoughtful risks with philanthropic dollars, and why sectors like accessibility and disability innovation are well positioned to benefit from these emerging funding pathways. Whether you're an entrepreneur raising capital, an investor looking to align your assets with your values, or simply curious about the future of impact investing, this episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on how philanthropic capital can be used to drive meaningful change. Linkes & Resources:  Matt Eldridge: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjeldridge/] / info@realizeimpact.org [info@realizeimpact.org] Realize Impact: Website [https://realizeimpact.org/] COMING SOON! American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

The Forbes Accessibility 200: What's It All About?

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with Alan Schwarz, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and managing editor at Forbes, for a behind-the-scenes look at The Accessibility 200 — Forbes’ growing list recognizing the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and impact-makers shaping the future of accessibility. Alan shares the unexpected origin story behind the list, from his early reporting on the Paralympics and friendship with wheelchair racer Josh George, to his realization that accessibility is not only a social imperative or legal mandate — it is good business. Together, Kelvin, Chris, and Alan explore how Forbes approaches accessibility through the lens of business innovation, why the list is intentionally unranked, and how Alan built a broad advisory network across disability, technology, sports, education, mobility, veterans’ affairs, and corporate accessibility to help identify the people and organizations making real impact. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, journalist, corporate leader, or accessibility advocate, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how mainstream business media can help shine a brighter light on the disability innovation economy — and why accessibility is increasingly being recognized as smart business. Links & Resources: *  Alan Schwarz: LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanschwarz/] *  Forbes Accessibility 200 Email: accessibilitylist@forbes.com * Smokin J's BBQ: Website [https://smokinjsrealbbq.com/] COMING SOON! American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

Accelerator Series Part 5: Aarti Saghal, Synergies Work

In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher close out the Accelerator Series with Aarti Sahgal, founder and CEO of Synergies Work and the Synergy Seed Fund, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, disability, and closing the disability wealth gap. Aarti shares the personal journey that led her into the disability world—from navigating IEP meetings as an immigrant mother raising a son with Down syndrome, to realizing how many families and entrepreneurs with disabilities are forced to operate in systems that were never designed with them in mind. That lived experience became the foundation for Synergies Work, an organization built to support entrepreneurs with disabilities through business education, community, networks, and access to capital.  The conversation explores why entrepreneurship is such a critical pathway for people with disabilities, especially when traditional employment and funding systems often leave talent unseen. Aarti breaks down how Synergies Work supports founders through its accelerator programs, one-on-one coaching, peer networks, and virtual community hub—helping entrepreneurs move from idea to viable business.  This episode is a reminder that accessibility is not only about products, technology, or compliance—it is also about opportunity, ownership, and giving entrepreneurs with disabilities the tools, relationships, and capital they need to build. Links & Resources: Aarti Sahgal: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarti-sahgal-7a025917/] Synergies Work: Website [https://synergieswork.org/] Synergies Seed Fund: Website [https://synergiesfund.org/] SSF Financial Health Blog Series: Website [https://synergiesfund.org/blog/] Financial Fundamentals Program: Website [https://synergies.thinkific.com/products/courses/financial-fundamentals-course] COMING SOON! American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

Accelerator Series Part 4: Keevin O'Rourke, Multiple

In this latest installment of our Accelerator Series, hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with Keevin O’Rourke, CEO of Multiple, a startup accelerator dedicated to advancing innovation in autism and neurodiversity tech. Keevin shares his journey from early entrepreneurship—building college startups and navigating the highs and lows of the accelerator ecosystem—to leading Multiple, where he now supports founders tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the autism community. From lessons learned during failed pivots to insights gained across venture, strategic consulting, and corporate innovation, Keevin brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective on what it takes to build—and scale—impact-driven companies.  The conversation dives deep into what makes Multiple different: a highly focused accelerator model that prioritizes revenue growth, go-to-market strategy, and investor readiness for startups already showing early traction. Keevin also unpacks the power of storytelling in fundraising, explaining why founders must go beyond “checklist pitches” to create emotional resonance—especially in a space where mission and market opportunity intersect. This episode blends practical startup advice with a powerful reminder: accessibility innovation isn’t just good—it’s investable. Tune in to learn how accelerators like Multiple are shaping the future of neurodiversity tech—and what founders should consider when choosing the right program to scale their growth. Links & Resources: Keevin O'Rourke: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keevinorourke/] & Email: keevin@multiplehub.org Multiple: Website [https://www.multiplehub.org/] COMING SOON! American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.

Accelerator Series Part 3: Molly Lazarus, Remarkable

In this installment of our Accelerator Series, hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher sit down with Molly Lazarus, Director of the U.S. accelerator at Remarkable—a global nonprofit funding and supporting startups building innovative solutions for the disability community. Molly’s path to Remarkable is anything but conventional. From growing up alongside family members navigating ALS, to running summer camps for children with disabilities, to becoming a special education teacher-turned-startup founder backed by Y Combinator—each chapter shaped her belief that accessibility demands both empathy and innovation. A cold email to Remarkable’s team in Australia ultimately brought those worlds together. In this episode, Molly shares what it really takes to build—and support—mission-driven companies: *  Why some accelerators are actually “decelerators”—and how Remarkable is different  *  How their nonprofit model creates regenerative capital for the disability tech ecosystem  *  The two universal challenges every startup faces—and how coaching helps solve them  *  Why vulnerability and psychological safety are critical for founder growth   Throughout the conversation, Molly offers hard-earned insights for founders at any stage: building a company is hard, often lonely, and full of trade-offs—so choosing the right problem to solve matters. Whether you’re building in accessibility, evaluating accelerators, or navigating the emotional and strategic realities of entrepreneurship, this episode offers an honest and refreshing perspective on what it takes to grow something that truly matters. Links & Resources *  Molly Lazarus: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymlevitt/]  *  Remarkable: Website [https://www.remarkable.org/] COMING SOON! American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.