We met today exploring further: How can we finance the Empathy Movement?
You can find a transcript here:
https://www.empathycircle.com/schedule/schedule-2025/2025-04-19-finance
We decided on a biweekly rhythm for the meetings. Sunday 2pm PST (with May 4th being the next one) has been chosen as the best time slot.
In the meeting I asked if we could start considering small steps to set ourselves up to receive money. As a small action step we could all take right away, I suggested that we each write a paragraph that can either be used in written communications that come from the Empathy Center or in person at events in order to initiate fundraising.
Here is mine:
"As our movement grows and evolves, so do the responsibilities that come with it. To meet new challenges—like securing liability insurance or getting expert legal advice on structuring our nonprofit—we’re realizing the importance of investing in professional guidance.
At the same time, we remain deeply committed to keeping Empathy Circles and our Empathy Circle Facilitator Trainings free and accessible to all. Our trainers and trainees generously volunteer their time, driven by a shared vision of fostering a more empathic world.
Today, we invite you to support that vision with a financial contribution. Your donation will go directly toward hiring a lawyer to help us navigate a few important legal questions—ensuring we continue to grow with care and integrity.
We hope that whatever you choose to give feels not just like a donation, but like a meaningful way to deepen your own connection to this work and to the values we share.
Thank you for being part of this community"
Here is another one from William Kingsbury derived from a Buddhist retreat center (IMC)
"Dāna is the Buddhist word for giving
IMC continues a 2,600-year-old Buddhist tradition of providing the teachings freely to all who are interested. IMC has no paid staff and is run entirely by volunteers. All financial support comes from the generosity of people who value what we do. Donations support all expenses, including programs, publications, website, the Insight Retreat Center, and AudioDharma. Speakers receive no salary and are supported by speaker dāna. We at IMC are very grateful for all the support we receive, and are inspired by how beautifully Dharma practice develops when it does so in a field of generosity and gratitude!"
I invite comments and other suggestions as we are planning to ask for donations during the online training on Saturday.
Also, the finance meeting is an open meeting. Feel free to pass on this invitation.
With much gratitude and appreciation
Ingrid
2025-04-19 - Empathy Cafe: How can the Empathy Center Finance the Empathy Center and Movement
https://tinyurl.com/2wdzxmz3
Description: We are building an Empathy Movement to make mutual empathy a primary social and cultural value. Embedding mutual empathy into the culture shifts the default mode of interaction from suspicion, indifference, conflict and polarization towards understanding, connection and cooperation. This creates a positive feedback loop, fostering a more resilient, cooperative, just, and humane society where both individuals and everyone can thrive.
We have to finance this movement and this Empathy Cafe is to brainstorm about how to finance it. Financing transforms the idea of promoting empathy into a structured, sustainable, and scalable effort. It provides the necessary means to build capacity, create effective interventions, reach diverse populations, measure success, and ultimately foster a more understanding and caring society. Without adequate resources, the potential impact of an Empathy Movement will likely remain limited.
Empathy Cafe: How can the Empathy Center Finance the Empathy Center and Movement
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 2pm to 4 pm PT (Check World Times)
Open to everyone
Location Online Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/9896109339
Contact: Ingrid Hirtz - ingridhirtz@gmail.com
See the report from our March 23 cafe on the topic
Attendees (add your name and email below)
(x ) Edwin Rutsch
( ) Ingrid Hirtz
( ) Janna Weiss
( ) William Kingsbury
( ) Jessy Lee
( )
( )
( )
Need a minimal viable product
Need one product that brings in an income.
Empathy Circle is a viable practice but not product.
could be made into minimal viable product
ECFT is a minimal viable product
Trainings - expanded.
The vision is big enough for funding of donors.
Goal Setting -
Zoom Meeting summary for Edwin Rutsch's Personal Meeting Room (04/19/2025)
Quick recap
The team discussed the legal and financial structure of their nonprofit organization, the need for a stable source of legal and financial protection, and the importance of setting clear goals and raising funds for specific needs. They also explored potential sources of income, the concept of a minimal viable product, and various approaches to fundraising and financial management. The conversation ended with scheduling the next meeting and brainstorming ideas for promoting empathy.
Next steps
• Ingrid to discuss with Bill about making an ask for donations during the 3rd session of the empathy circle facilitator training.
• William to pursue getting a quote for board insurance and gather information on coverage details.
• Edwin to include an ask for donations in the next empathy summit and newsletter.
• William to contact his lawyer friend Chris to potentially join the next meeting and provide legal advice.
• Lou to think about concrete steps he can take to help generate funds.
• All members to write a paragraph that can be added to written communications or workshops to practice asking for money.
• All members to brainstorm empathy-related slogans and merchandise ideas.
• Ingrid to meet with a retired CPA in Phoenix to discuss nonprofit management and building chapters.
• Ingrid to consult with her son-in-law (a lawyer) for general legal insights on nonprofit management.
• Edwin to conduct an interview with the author of the article "Radical empathy is dangerous consequence for America's future.
Summary
Nonprofit Legal and Financial Structure
In the meeting, Jessy expressed concerns about the legal and financial structure of the nonprofit organization, emphasizing the importance of having a stable source of legal and financial protection. She also mentioned the need for a proper legal setup and financial structure to avoid potential issues. Ingrid agreed to set up a follow-up meeting to discuss these concerns further.
Financing the Empathy Movement Discussion
Ingrid led a discussion on the topic of financing the empathy movement, acknowledging its growth and the desire to expand faster. She expressed a need for clarity and suggested a goal-setting strategy, distinguishing between the overall vision and practical steps. The team agreed to continue the conversation in a free-flowing manner, with Lou transitioning the discussion to William.
Volunteer Energy and Income Strategies
The team discussed the need for a stable structure and dedicated attention to sustain and organize volunteer energy. They explored potential sources of income, including grants, training, consulting, conflict resolution, and merchandising. The idea of offering the Empathy Circle freely and then accepting donations was also proposed. The team also considered the possibility of selling merchandise like T-shirts and caps. The challenge of finding a sympathetic lawyer to help with the chapter structure was also addressed.
Exploring Minimal Viable Product Concepts
Edwin and Ingrid discussed the concept of a minimal viable product (MVP) in the context of business startups. They reflected on the empathy circle as a product that has been given away for free, making it financially unreliable. They also considered the empathy circle facilitator training as a potential product, but questioned whether it would generate enough income for the nonprofit. They looked at the model of Nvc, where individuals are independent agents holding their own workshops, and considered the possibility of creating other paid workshops like the definition of empathy workshop.
Incorporating Donations in Events and Offerings
Ingrid and Edwin discussed the challenges of finding a minimal viable product that generates income without requiring significant effort. They considered the Santa Barbara Foundation's grant writing process as an example of a potentially time-consuming option. Lou suggested focusing on a conversation rather than reflection, and Ingrid proposed incorporating a routine of mentioning donations in all their events and offerings to overcome hesitancy and increase funding.
Fundraising Approaches for Empathy Center
The group discusses various approaches to fundraising and financial management for their empathy-focused organization. Edwin clarifies that donations go to the Empathy Center, not to individuals. Lou suggests using any funds raised in Phoenix for local activities and emphasizes the importance of obtaining legal advice and insurance. He compares their offering to 12-step programs and religious institutions, which don't charge for services but still need funds to operate. Lou also describes fundraising models used by other organizations, such as Braver Angels' membership model and the transparent approach used in nonviolent communication workshops.
Setting Clear Goals and Raising Funds
The team discussed the need for a lawyer and the importance of setting clear goals and raising funds for specific needs. They agreed that the most pressing need was legal representation, and they should start asking for donations to cover this cost. The team also discussed the need for insurance for the board and the importance of ensuring that funds are dispersed to chapters in a way that benefits the nonprofit. They acknowledged the need to be mindful of their spending and ensure that it aligns with the nonprofit's purpose.
Nonprofit Funding and Legal Protections
Lou discussed the legalities of funding chapters within the nonprofit organization. He explained that the nonprofit could reimburse costs for activities aligned with their purpose, but not directly give money to a group of people. Edwin agreed, adding that they could only reimburse for services or purchases. Ingrid questioned the liability concerns, and Edwin clarified that there are legal protections for board members. The group also discussed the potential for lawsuits against the nonprofit and the protection of the organization's assets.
Lawyer Support for Mission and Events
The team discussed the need for a lawyer to support their mission and agreed to invite a lawyer friend to future meetings. They also decided to meet every other week and to include more people in their discussions. Ingrid suggested that each team member write a paragraph to be added to their written communication or used in workshops to practice asking for money. The team also discussed the need to ask for donations at their events and decided to add this to their training sessions. William agreed to pursue board insurance with a local contact and Lou suggested getting a quote for coverage. The team also discussed the need to protect individual board members from being sued individually.
Empathy Promotion and Inclusive Messaging
The group discusses ideas for promoting empathy, focusing on creating inclusive messaging that appeals to a broad audience, including conservatives. They brainstorm slogans and merchandise ideas, such as "Amplify Empathy" and empathy cards. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reaching out to people with different viewpoints and presenting empathy as a practical, strength-based concept. They also discuss an upcoming interview with an author who wrote about the dangers of radical empathy. The meeting concludes with scheduling the next meeting for May 4th from 2-3 PM on Sunday.
https://otter.ai/u/Tyz91G70PElho0gPbF4Rf06RfDU?view=summary
The meeting focused on the financial sustainability of the Empathy Center. Key points included the need for legal and financial structures, with concerns about volunteer reliability and the cost of legal services. William Kingsbury suggested pursuing a sympathetic lawyer and insurance for board members. Ingrid Hirtz proposed setting goals and incorporating fundraising into events and communications. The group brainstormed potential income sources, such as grants, training, and merchandising. They also discussed the importance of clear messaging and targeted outreach to conservative audiences. The next meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2025.
[ ] William to pursue getting a quote for board/officer insurance coverage and inquire about the level of protection it provides.
[ ] Ingrid to speak with her son-in-law, who is a lawyer, to get some general guidance on legal and financial structures for non-profits.
[ ] Edwin to include a donation ask and information about the costs involved in putting on the Empathy Summit in his communications.
[ ] William to work on drafting a fundraising pitch/paragraph.
[ ] The group to continue brainstorming empathy-focused messaging and branding ideas.
Edwin Rutsch mentions the absence of Ingrid and Baylor, and the presence of Travis Mitchell, who is trying to join.
Speaker 2 emphasizes the need for legal and financial structures to ensure sustainability for the empathy community.
Speaker 2 highlights the importance of having a stable source of legal and financial resources, especially for a volunteer-based nonprofit.
Edwin Rutsch agrees on the necessity of income to pay for legal services and mentions the high cost of lawyers.
Speaker 2 reiterates the importance of having reliable and trustworthy legal and financial resources from the beginning.
Ingrid Hirtz suggests setting up a circle meeting for an hour, considering her limited resources.
Speaker 2 expresses the need for stable legal and financial resources to ensure commitment and reliability.
Ingrid Hirtz agrees and plans to check with Speaker 2 for the next meeting time.
Ingrid Hirtz proposes an empathy circle format for the meeting, focusing on financing the empathy movement.
Ingrid Hirtz suggests acknowledging the movement's growth and the need to look at finances to expand faster.
Lou Zweier and William Kingsbury discuss the need for clarity and goal setting to generate income.
William Kingsbury mentions the need for funds to sustain volunteer efforts and create a consistent structure.
Lou Zweier lists potential sources of income: grants, training, consulting, conflict resolution, and merchandising.
William Kingsbury adds consulting and private grants to the list.
The group brainstorms additional ideas, including creating empathy movement merchandise.
Edwin Rutsch suggests the concept of a minimal viable product (MVP) to generate income.
Edwin Rutsch and Ingrid Hirtz discuss the lack of a clear MVP that can generate reliable income.
The group considers the empathy circle facilitator training as a potential MVP but questions its viability.
Edwin Rutsch mentions the NVC model, where independent agents hold workshops and generate income.
The group explores the idea of creating other workshops, like empathy definitions and conflict mediation.
Lou Zweier discusses the importance of liability insurance for board members and the organization.
Edwin Rutsch explains the protection provided by the empathy center's legal structure.
William Kingsbury suggests pursuing board insurance to cover individual board members.
The group agrees on the need for a lawyer to advise on legal and financial structures.
Ingrid Hirtz suggests adding a fundraising paragraph to written communication and workshops.
William Kingsbury proposes creating empathy movement merchandise, like "Make America Empathic Again" hats.
The group brainstorms slogans for merchandise that appeal to a broad audience, including conservatives.
Lou Zweier emphasizes the importance of messaging that resonates with people who may not be open to empathy.
The group agrees to meet every other week to discuss progress and fundraising efforts.
William Kingsbury plans to meet with his lawyer friend to discuss legal and financial strategies.
Ingrid Hirtz suggests setting a fixed time for meetings to ensure consistency.
The group decides to meet on May 4 from 2 to 3 PM, with Ingrid Hirtz planning to meet with a CPA in Phoenix for additional insights.