Lever for Change names Sam Caplan vice president of operations

By AI, Created 4:24 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Lever for Change has appointed technology and operations leader Sam Caplan as vice president of operations as the nonprofit scales its work connecting donors with organizations tackling major global challenges. The move is aimed at strengthening internal systems across IT, grants, finance, HR and legal.

Why it matters: - Lever for Change is adding an operations leader as the nonprofit expands and needs systems that can support more donors, more grantees, and more scale. - The role touches the functions that keep the organization running day to day, including technology, grants administration, finance, human resources, and legal. - Stronger infrastructure can help the group move funding faster and support more effective philanthropy.

What happened: - Lever for Change announced the appointment of Sam Caplan as vice president of operations. - Caplan will lead operational strategy and oversee information technology, grants administration, finance, human resources, and legal. - The appointment was announced May 18, 2026, in Chicago.

The details: - Caplan most recently served as vice president of social impact at Submittable, where he advised funders and nonprofits on grants management and technology strategy. - He previously served as chief information officer and deputy director of operations at the Walton Family Foundation. - At the Walton Family Foundation, Caplan led teams responsible for IT, grants administration, and cross-functional operations. - Earlier in his career, Caplan directed global technology for the Walmart Foundation. - In that role, he oversaw philanthropy and corporate social responsibility platforms. - Caplan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Central Arkansas. - He is a member of Peak Grantmaking and the Technology Association of Grantmakers. - Lever for Change said Caplan’s experience will support efforts to strengthen infrastructure and deliver bold solutions around the world.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that Lever for Change is prioritizing operational maturity alongside program growth. - The nonprofit appears to be betting that better systems will improve efficiency, transparency, and access as it scales its donor and grantee network. - Caplan’s background sits squarely at the intersection of philanthropy, technology, and operations, which fits the role’s cross-functional scope.

What’s next: - Caplan will work across departments and with external partners to align teams and improve internal systems. - Lever for Change is expected to continue expanding its reach as it connects donors with organizations working on high-impact challenges. - The organization says the goal is to operate more efficiently while increasing its impact.

The bottom line: - Lever for Change is investing in operations leadership to build the infrastructure needed for continued growth and larger-scale philanthropy.