The GoodTalk EP 04

Описание: In this episode, Alissa May is joined by Christina Fagan and Sarah Adams to break down what two of the most trusted industry datasets are signaling right now, and what corporate social impact leaders should prepare for in 2026. Together, they unpack the sixth annual CSR Insights Report from ACCP and the 20th edition of Giving in Numbers from CECP, then translate the trends into practical takeaways for teams planning the year ahead.
From business alignment and budget pressure to changing issue priorities, employee engagement shifts, and the growing role of AI, this conversation is a grounded look at what’s happening across the field, and what leaders can do next.

What You’ll Learn:
1. The biggest 2025 trend across both reports, and why “business alignment” is now non-negotiable
2. What CECP data reveals about corporate giving, and why inflation-adjusted investment has declined since 2020
3. Why CSR teams are facing more internal scrutiny, even when the long-term business case is well-supported
4. How social impact budgets are shifting toward “safer” focus areas like workforce development, education, and basic needs
5. Why employee engagement budgets are rising, even as other categories tighten
6. What’s behind slowing volunteer participation, and why depth is replacing scale as a success metric
7. Where AI will become standard by the end of 2026, and what must remain fundamentally human

Key Highlights:
1. Corporate giving levels have stabilized, but community investment is down when adjusted for inflation, and many companies expect tighter budgets in 2026
2. CSR teams are staying lean, often operating without headcount growth despite rising expectations
3. Politically sensitive issue areas are declining in priority, while hunger relief, education, and workforce readiness are rising
4. Employee engagement is easier to defend internally, because its impact on retention, culture, and leadership development is clearer
5. AI is being adopted rapidly for productivity, but barriers still exist for deeper measurement and analysis
6. The future of social impact is not “more programs,” it’s deeper focus, stronger partnerships, and clearer business integration

Practical Next Steps (Next 90 Days):
1. Reconnect with nonprofit and community partners to understand evolving needs
2. Align with internal stakeholders, especially communications, to reinforce shared KPIs and the business case for impact

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