Ideos Institute

What Ideos Institute does

Ideos Institute was a Pasadena, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN #86-2961014) founded in 2017 (firmographics note 2018) to advance peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and empathic intelligence within Christian communities. The organization served Christian churches, pastors, and individual Christians navigating political polarization, sectarianism, and internal division, with a stated focus on offering a spiritual alternative to angry political engagement or silent withdrawal. Its core intellectual property was the Empathic Intelligence (EmQ) Framework, a proprietary methodology structured around three dimensions: Cognitive (understanding how others think and feel), Relational (affective empathy), and Sacrificial (compassionate action on behalf of others).

The organization operated an integrated portfolio of programs anchored by the EmQ Framework. Major offerings included The (Re)union Project and its 31 Days of Unity Campaign (a 31-day devotional series), the Dialogue Lab: America documentary film, the Empathy Table podcast distributed on Spotify/Apple Podcasts/YouTube, the Ideos Writes article archive, downloadable conversation guides (Ground Rules for Generative Conversations, Empathy Mapping Guide), the Leaders Fellowship program for Christian leaders, and scheduled experiential learning trips. Distribution was primarily digital and free, with resources available for download from ideosinstitute.org and content amplified through a coalition of 15+ partner organizations including Arrabon, Telos Group, Colossian Forum, Search for Common Ground, Christian Civics, and the Center for Public Justice.

The business model was donation-driven. As a 501(c)(3), Ideos generated revenue through charitable contributions from individuals, churches, and foundations, with named financial sponsors including Imago Dei Fund, Long Family Foundation, and Maclellan. All programmatic resources were provided free or with suggested donation. In 2024, the Board of Directors voted to dissolve the organization as an independent entity after approximately 6.5 years, transferring the mission to the newly established Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary, where operations continue under academic institutional infrastructure.

Name

Ideos Institute

Legal name

Ideos Institute

Website

https://ideosinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ideos Institute was a Pasadena-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that developed the Empathic Intelligence (EmQ) Framework and offered free programs, podcasts, documentaries, and resources to help Christian churches, leaders, and individuals navigate polarization and build cultures of unity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Resources, Organizational Behavior & Leadership Institutes (EDAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

DEI, Equity & Inclusion Advisory (BPACAJAJ)

Keywords

• Peacebuilding education
• Conflict transformation
• Empathy training
• Christian reconciliation
• Faith-based resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN #86-2961014), Ideos Institute generates revenue primarily through donations and charitable contributions from individuals, churches, and foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ideos Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops and disseminates the Empathic Intelligence (EmQ) Framework — a structured methodology for understanding and acting upon others' perspectives through cognitive, relational, and sacrificial dimensions. It delivers peacebuilding and conflict transformation programming for Christian churches, leaders, and individuals through devotional campaigns, workshops, documentary films, podcasts, downloadable conversation guides, and a leadership fellowship.

Product overview

Ideos Institute operates as a unified platform centered on the Empathic Intelligence Framework (EmQ), a core methodology that encompasses cognitive, relational, and sacrificial dimensions of empathy. This foundational framework connects all offerings including: The (Re)union Project initiative with its 31 Days of Unity Campaign devotional program; the Dialogue Lab: America documentary film demonstrating dialogue across divides; the Ideos Podcast series (Empathy Table and In Conversation With...) featuring expert conversations; the Ideos Writes Archives of articles on peacemaking; downloadable resources including conversation guides and the Empathy Mapping Guide; and the Leaders Fellowship program for equipping Christian leaders. The portfolio forms an integrated ecosystem of media, resources, and programs all oriented around the Empathic Intelligence methodology for bridging division and fostering understanding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Empathic Intelligence (EmQ): A practical framework for gaining empathic understanding through cognitive, relational, and sacrificial dimensions
• Dialogue Lab: America
• 31 Days of Unity Campaign
• Empathy Table Podcast

Products and services

• Empathic Intelligence Framework (EmQ) The foundational methodology and practical framework for gaining empathic understanding through cognitive, relational, and sacrificial dimensions; a process of knowing and acting upon the experiences and perspectives of others without negating one's own. Targeted at Christian churches, leaders, and individuals seeking to bridge division.
• 31 Days of Unity Campaign A 31-day devotional series encouraging personal reflection, prayer, and embodied practice toward unity within the Body of Christ, including daily prayers, scripture references, and video reflections. For individual Christians and congregations.
• The (Re)union Project An initiative supporting the reuniting of the American Church through small group studies, curated resources, leadership workshops, media and storytelling, and community connection opportunities. Targeted at Christian leaders, pastors, and congregations.
• Dialogue Lab: America Documentary Documentary film exploring what happens when twelve Americans from across the political and ideological spectrum attempt to engage in dialogue on divisive issues. Distributed via Vimeo and through the National Day of Dialogue coalition.
• Ideos Podcasts (Empathy Table, In Conversation With...) Podcast series featuring conversations on empathy, faith, reconciliation, and bridging divides, including the Empathy Table and In Conversation With... shows. Distributed via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
• Leaders Fellowship A fellowship program designed to equip Christian leaders with tools and skills to navigate division and polarization, build cultures of empathy, and serve as reconcilers and peacemakers. Targeted at Christian leaders and pastors.
• Ground Rules for Generative Conversations A downloadable conversation guide providing foundational rules for facilitating productive and generative dialogue. Available for free download from the Ideos Institute website.
• Empathy Mapping Guide A downloadable guide to creating community-first systems change through empathy mapping, helping users understand diverse perspectives and build greater connection.
• Empathy Mapping 101 Educational resource introducing the fundamentals of empathy mapping and how it can improve cognitive empathy.

Quantifiable outcome

• The 31 Days of Unity Campaign engaged participants across the United States in prayer and reflection focused on unity within the Body of Christ
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Fuller Theological SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing the dissolution of Ideos Institute as an independent entity, the organization has transitioned to become the Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary. This partnership represents the continuation and expansion of Ideos Institute's mission through Fuller's academic and institutional infrastructure.
• ArrabonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the 31 Days of Unity Campaign. Arrabon develops small group Bible study resources exploring justice and reconciliation through a biblical lens, including 'A People, a Place, and a Just Society' app-based study.
• Christian CivicsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing resources for the (Re)union Project, including 'Christian Civics: Foundations' video-based course and 'Light to the World' discussion guide for Christian political engagement.
• Center for Public JusticeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, contributing to the collaborative effort of Christian organizations working toward unity and civic engagement.
• Faithful PresenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization participating in the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, focused on faithful Christian engagement in public life.
• International Center for Religion & DiplomacyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner contributing expertise in religion and diplomacy to the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, represented by Dr. Ray Kim.
• Plant With PurposeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, focused on environmental stewardship and community development.
• ProGracemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerActive partner organization working on Christian engagement in abortion debates and public discourse. Hosted podcast featuring Christy Vines on moving from debate to dialogue through stories.
• The Trinity ForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, contributing to Christian intellectual engagement and thought leadership.
• Colossian ForummajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing 'The Colossian Way' conflict engagement framework and 'One Anothering' small group curriculum for the (Re)union Project resources.
• Center for Christianity and Public LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner contributing to the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, represented by Michael Wear who contributed to the campaign content.
• Telos GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization providing expertise in just peacemaking and conflict transformation. Featured in podcast episodes and contributed to campaign resources.
• Search for Common GroundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing 'The Peacemakers Toolkit' for the (Re)union Project resources, equipping faith leaders with peacebuilding tools.
• Future of FaithminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization that collaborated with Ideos Institute to develop the 'Fostering Empathy and Unity Sacred Listening Tool' for the 31 Days of Unity Campaign.
• Minnesota Council of ChurchesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, representing a network of churches in Minnesota.
• Wichita First Church of the NazareneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch partner participating in the 31 Days of Unity Campaign, represented by Scott Marshall.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Center for Public Justice: Christian civic organization producing resources for faithful political engagement. Named Ideos partner in the 31 Days of Unity Campaign; overlapping focus on Christian political formation, civic literacy, and unity across differences.
• ProGrace: Christian organization training pastors and churches for gracious engagement on divisive public issues. Named Ideos partner (hosted Christy Vines podcast); competes for the same pastor/leader audience working at the intersection of faith and contentious public discourse.
• The Trinity Forum: Faith-based organization convening leaders through readings and dialogues on ethics, leadership, and civic life. Comparable peer because it combines intellectual engagement with formation for Christian and public leaders, similar to Ideos's leadership development focus.
• Colossian Forum: Faith-based nonprofit equipping Christians to engage conflict through 'The Colossian Way' framework. Named Ideos partner contributing conflict engagement and small group curricula to the (Re)union Project; operates in the same Christian peacebuilding niche with overlapping methodologies.
• Arrabon: Christian nonprofit producing small-group Bible study resources on justice, race, and reconciliation. Named Ideos partner contributing the 'A People, a Place, and a Just Society' study to the (Re)union Project; directly comparable in audience and method.
• Telos Group: Christian organization advancing 'just peacemaking' and conflict transformation. Named Ideos partner featured in podcasts and campaign resources; competes for the same Christian-leader audience seeking reconciliation training.
• International Center for Religion & Diplomacy: Religion-and-diplomacy NGO working at the intersection of faith and conflict resolution. Named Ideos partner (Dr. Ray Kim) contributing to the 31 Days of Unity Campaign; addresses overlapping peacemaker training and interfaith engagement missions.

Emerging players

• More in Common US: Transnational nonprofit focused on bridging divides and reducing polarization through research-backed communications and dialogue programs. Comparable to Ideos's mission of equipping leaders and ordinary people to navigate division, despite a secular frame.
• Braver Angels: U.S. nonprofit running structured cross-partisan workshops and dialogues to depolarize Americans. Comparable peer because both organizations intervene in political division through dialogue, workshops, and grassroots training, though Braver Angels is non-confessional.

Broad incumbents

• Search for Common Ground: Largest global conflict resolution NGO, providing 'The Peacemakers Toolkit' used in the (Re)union Project. Functions as the broad incumbent in peacebuilding with a global footprint; comparable because of shared peacebuilder-training methodology and target audience of faith leaders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLjetL1qcOPK6H0i9Hblg_9ayWu0Ok9cJP
• Xx.com/ideosinstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/ideosinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ideos-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ideos Institute