Empathy Movement News: How to apply for $100,000 American Empathy Project Grants

The Empathy Center News
Building the Empathy Movement
#45: February 24, 2026

Greetings

Some Movement Updates.

I interviewed Jake Via, organizing director of the American Humanist Association, and discussed the American Empathy Project, which aims to distribute $100,000 in grants for empathy-building projects. The initiative emphasizes empathy as a core American value.
See the link for how to apply.

How to Apply for the American Empathy Project Grants ($100K) from the American Humanist Association

The Empathy Tent team attended the 2026 California Democratic Party Convention in San Francisco, February 20 & 21 to promote the Movement. (We attended the California Republican State Convention in the past.) See the Full Report

We spent time in the Dem Café, where we set up at one of the tables and engaged attendees in conversation. We also walked through the convention halls to connect with participants and share information about the Empathy Movement and its goal of making mutual empathy a core cultural value.

Bill and I were interviewed; the interview aired on a local CBS News TV station (viewership about 50K) and was also mentioned in a news article.

California Democrats converge in San Francisco for party's state convention

I spoke briefly with California Senator Adam Schiff, who was walking through the convention hall, and mentioned the
Empathy Movement.

Warmly,

Edwin

Edwin Rutsch

Director: The Empathy Center
Building the Empathy Movement

A few of the many supporters

You CanTake Empathic Action

Join us in the Empathy Movement Development Team that meets every Friday on zoom. We are dedicated to the strategic growth and development of the Movement. Help plan and take part in our next projects.

Join us to

1. Be Part of a Movement That Matters

2. Help Define and Shape the Future of the Movement.

3. Advance Deep Listening and Communication Skills

4. Connect With a Community of Purpose-Driven People

5. Learn and Teach Through Action
6. Build Something Sustainable and Scalable
7. Grow Personally While Impacting Others

Empathy Movement Development Team

Date: Weekly Fridays
Time: 9am to 10:30 am (PT)
Location: Location Zoom
Contact: Edwin - EdwinRutsch@gmail.com

Drop-In: Everyone Welcome

EVENTS CALENDAR

Google Events Calendar for Dates and Times

The Empathy Center and many other people host Empathy Circles around the world. Here is a list of some of them. Everyone is welcome to any events.

You can add your public Empathy Circles to our Google calendar by emailing me EdwinRutsch@gmail.com

Register Next Empathy Circle Facilitator Training
Learn to Facilitate an Empathy Circle and build the Empathy Movement!

Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9

Empathy Circle Facilitator’s Support Group

Continue learning and building capacity as a facilitator

Date: 1st & 3rd Fridays of each Month
Time: 8 - 10 am (PT)

Location Zoom

Email: Lou - lou.zweier@gmail.com

Empathy Cafe: Whatever is on your mind
Date: Weekly Thursdays
Time: 6 pm (PT)
Location Zoom
Contact: Bill - paddlinman@yahoo.com

Empathy Cafe: Whatever is on your mind
Date: Weekly Wednesdays,
Time: 6 pm (PT)
Location Zoom
Contact: Ingrid - ingridhirtz@gmail.com

Empathy Movement Development Team

Date: Weekly Fridays
Time: 9am to 10:30 am (PT)
Location: Location Zoom
Contact: Edwin - EdwinRutsch@gmail.com

Empathy Summit Development Team

Date: Weekly Fridays
Time: 10:30 am to 11am (PT)
Location: Location Zoom
Contact: Edwin - EdwinRutsch@gmail.com

Empathy Cafe: Whatever is on your mind
Date: Weekly Sundays
Time: 11am to 1pm (PT)
Location: In Person Santa Barbara
Contact: William - william@cleoinstruments.com

See More Empathy Cafes

Support The Empathy Center,
a 501c3 tax exempt nonprofit organization.

The Empathy Center Resources Links

TheEmpathyCenter.org - Main gateway website for our 501c3 nonprofit.
CultureOfEmpathy.com - Edwin's website with over 400 interviews of empathy experts plus more.
EmpathySummit.com - Site for our ongoing series of Empathy Summits and Conferences.
EmpathyCircle.com - All about the Empathy Circle practice.
BestEmpathyTraining.com - All about the Empathy Circle Facilitator training.
EmpathyTent.com - Website for the Empathy Tent public listening, empathy and mediation project.
Empathy Movement Magazine on Scoop It - Over 9,000 articles, papers, etc. about empathy sorted by subtopic. Updated daily with current links.
The Empathy Center Facebook Page
The Empathy Center LinkedIn Group Page - Empathy Movement: Practice, Projects, Dialogue, Training, Curriculum Design and Development

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