Charter For Compassion

What Charter For Compassion does

Charter for Compassion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, originating from Karen Armstrong's 2008 TED Prize wish. The organization operates a global network of 575 registered compassionate communities and 2,770 partner organizations, providing educational resources, organizing tools, and programming to support grassroots compassion movements across seven pillars: Arts, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Health, Justice, Play/Innovation, and Spirituality.

Core products and technology include the Map of Co-Creators (an interactive registration and collaboration platform), the Grassroots Wisdom Book (a collaborative documentation resource), the With Compassion podcast series, and the Compassion Transformation Institute (CTI) launched in March 2026, which houses the TLC (Talk, Listen, Connect) program. Fiscal sponsorship is provided for external projects including SunLight Ukraine, Race4Good Global Youth League, and the InBodied Light Project. The technology stack is a standard web-based platform with virtual event infrastructure (Zoom, RingCentral) and content distribution across Substack, YouTube, and major social channels. No proprietary AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or developer tools are disclosed.

The business model is donation-driven 501(c)(3) funding supplemented by annual membership fees, fiscal sponsorship administrative fees, and merchandise e-commerce through charterforcompassion.store. The organization reports 56,000 volunteer hours contributed and 2,058,839 people reached as of January 31, 2026, with $189,032.65 raised in a campaign beginning that date. Customer segments include individual signatories, grassroots communities, partner organizations, youth changemakers, schools, and compassionate businesses. Geographic footprint spans the United States, Palestine, Iceland, and Australia, with multi-language Charter translations supporting broader global reach.

Name

Charter For Compassion

Legal name

Charter for Compassion

Website

https://charterforcompassion.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Charter for Compassion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a global network of 575 compassionate communities and 2,770 partners, providing educational resources, organizing platforms, and fiscal sponsorship to advance grassroots compassion movements across seven thematic pillars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Organizing

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG), Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

Keywords

• Compassion education programs
• Nonprofit community organizing
• Global compassion movement
• Social impact networks
• Community building tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Bainbridge Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and organizational donations supporting the global compassion movement. Tax-deductible contributions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Membership: Annual membership fees for individuals and organizations committing to the Charter principles
3. Fiscal Sponsorship Projects: Charter acts as fiscal sponsor for related projects including SunLight Ukraine ($25 per solar lantern), Race4Good youth program, and InBodied Light Project
4. E-commerce: Merchandise sales through charterforcompassion.store featuring compassion-themed products

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Charter for Compassion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a global movement connecting individuals, cities, grassroots organizers, and partner organizations around the principles of the Charter and GoldenRuleism. It delivers educational resources, organizing tools (including the Map of Co-Creators and Grassroots Wisdom Book), community-building programs, podcasts, conferences, and fiscal sponsorship for related compassion projects.

Product overview

Charter for Compassion is a global nonprofit network that connects people, cities, and grassroots organizers worldwide. The organization operates as a platform-plus-program structure centered on its Charter for Compassion 2.0 document and the GoldenRuleism philosophy. Key offerings include the Map of Co-Creators (organizing tool for global networking), Grassroots Wisdom Book (knowledge-sharing resource), With Compassion Podcast Series (communication platform), and the Compassion Transformation Institute with TLC: Talk, Listen, Connect programming. The organization delivers educational content through courses like Harmony of Humanity and The Science of Compassion 2.0, and supports communities through guidebooks, events (Global Youth Conference, Thrive Conference), and awards (Compassionate Youth Awards, Karen Armstrong Humanitarian Awards). Work is organized across seven pillars: Arts/Music/Gratitude, Education/Wisdom, Environmental Stewardship/Respect, Health/Compassion, Justice/Integrity, Play/Courage/Innovation, and Spirituality/Love/Hope. The organization also provides fiscal sponsorship for related projects like Sunlight Ukraine and Race4Good.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GoldenRuleism: A philosophy based on the expanded application of the Golden Rule moral precept: 'Do for all others, both directly and indirectly, what you would want done for you. Don't do to any others, either directly or indirectly, what you wouldn't want done for you.'
• Compassion Transformation Institute (CTI)

Products and services

• Map of Co-Creators An online interactive map that enables individuals and organizations to register and connect with like-minded compassionate people globally, facilitating co-creation and collaboration within the Charter network.
• Grassroots Wisdom Book A collaborative book project documenting successful community projects that can be replicated by others to build and sustain positive community ecosystems.
• With Compassion Podcast Series A podcast series creating spaces for learning, dialogue, and action rooted in shared humanity, featuring conversations with thought leaders on compassion topics.
• Compassion Transformation Institute (CTI) A major initiative providing education, training, and community building through compassion-focused programs including the TLC (Talk, Listen, Connect) series, podcast, and conference programming.
• TLC: Talk, Listen, Connect A program within the Compassion Transformation Institute providing regular dialogue sessions for community engagement.
• Compassion Ambassador Guidebook A guidebook for individuals to become compassion ambassadors and lead compassionate community initiatives.
• Sunlight Ukraine A fiscal sponsorship project shipping solar-powered lanterns to families in Ukraine affected by power infrastructure destruction, offered at $25 per lantern.
• Race4Good Global Youth League A student leadership program bringing together schools from around the world for races supporting communities in need, with sponsorship amounts variable between $25 and $15,000.
• Compassionate Education Courses Educational offerings including Harmony of Humanity podcast, Embodied Presence course, The Essence of Compassion, and The Science of Compassion 2.0.
• Compassionate Community Network A global network connecting compassionate communities, grassroots organizers, and leaders through registration, resources, and collaboration tools.
• Global Youth Conference Annual virtual conference bringing together young changemakers to explore themes of radical compassion in action for justice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,058,839 people reached globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, founding and minor.

• Spirit of Humanity ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Youth representation at forum in Reykjavik, Iceland focusing on inner dimensions of leadership, responsibility, systems change, and authentic relationship building.
• Wellbeing Economy ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Youth representation at forum in Reykjavik, Iceland with leaders and economists focused on redefining success beyond GDP toward wellbeing, equity, and sustainability.
• Global Taskforce for Youth CombatantscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Collaboration on webinar series 'Building New Cycles of Peace: Centering Former Combatants as Agents of Peace' exploring realities of reintegration faced by former youth combatants.
• Gaza Education TentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with grassroots educational initiative founded by Ruwaida Kamal Amer in Khan Younis refugee camp, Gaza. Provides educational support, psychosocial care, and safe learning spaces for children impacted by conflict and displacement.
• TED.comfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing organization to Charter founding - Karen Armstrong received TED Prize in 2008 to help create the Charter.
• Compassionate Action NetworkfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing organization to Charter's establishment and propagation.
• Fetzer InstitutefoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing organization to Charter's establishment and mission propagation.
• United Religions Initiative (URI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for Golden Rule Day celebration on April 5, with virtual programming around the world.
• ServiceSpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on offering Compassion Days each year as part of annual programming.
• MLK Days of ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 40-Days of Peace celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Compassion GamescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 40-Days of Peace celebration and compassion initiatives.
• Compassion Transformation Institute (CTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew major initiative launching March 2026, with TLC (Talk, Listen, Connect) programming already underway. Includes podcast series, educational services, and conference programming.
• Race4Good Global Youth LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent leadership program bringing together schools worldwide for races supporting communities in need. Targets leadership skills, innovation, critical thinking with international business mentors.
• InBodied Light Project by Zahava SherezminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal art tour with 50 faceless, genderless sculptures promoting equality and human rights through the arts. 10% of donations support Charter operations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ashoka: Global network supporting social entrepreneurs and changemakers; comparable as a large civic-innovation platform that targets many of the same grassroots communities.
• Mind & Life Institute: Established nonprofit convening dialogue between contemplative practitioners and scientists on compassion and well-being; relevant as a broader, better-resourced incumbent in the compassion-education space.
• Search for Common Ground: International peacebuilding nonprofit working across divided communities; adjacent peer for Charter's justice, peace, and compassion-in-conflict programming (e.g., Gaza Education Tent partnership).
• Aspen Institute: Educational and policy studies organization convening leaders around values-based civic life; broader incumbent comparable in mission scope (civic dialogue, well-being) but at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• ServiceSpace: Nonprofit organizing volunteer-driven service, kindness, and gift-economy initiatives; direct collaborator on Compassion Days and a direct peer in the volunteer-and-compassion platform category.
• Fetzer Institute: Founding backer of Charter for Compassion and a private foundation focused on spiritual transformation and compassionate communities; comparable because of shared mission around grounded, spiritualized civic engagement.
• Initiatives of Change: Faith-rooted global movement for moral leadership and service, dating to the Oxford Group; directly comparable as a charter-driven, character-focused civic organization with international community-building programs.
• Compassion Games: Activates teams worldwide around the 40 Days of Peace in collaboration with Charter for Compassion; closely comparable as a community-led compassion mobilization platform.
• United Religions Initiative (URI): Global interfaith nonprofit that organizes Cooperation Circles worldwide around peacebuilding and the Golden Rule; the most direct parallel to Charter for Compassion's community-network and Golden Rule Day (April 5) programming.
• Compassionate Action Network: Founding partner of the Charter for Compassion and a like-minded network mobilizing individuals and organizations around compassion in civic life; close peer with overlapping mission and founding heritage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/chartercompassion.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CharterforCompassion
• Facebookfacebook.com/CharterforCompassion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charterforcompassion
• Instagraminstagram.com/charterforcompassion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Charter For Compassion