Widespread Empathy: 5 Steps to Achieving Greater Impact in Philanthropy

The newest publication from GEO and Jump Associates argues that having an organizational commitment to widespread empathy allows grantmakers to base their decisions on an authentic, firsthand understanding of the perspectives of grantees, community members and other stakeholders. The guide also shares the stories of grantmakers that are moving from compassion to connection as they bring more empathy to their day-to-day work.

• View a video message from GEO President and CEO Kathleen Enright
• View a video message from Jump Associates Co-founder and CEO Dev Patnaik
• Download a PDF copy of the publication
• Read the executive summary

Related Resources

Dev Patnaik, author of Wired to Care, created a buzz at GEO’s 2010 National Conference when he introduced the concept of empathy, the ability to reach outside of ourselves and connect with other people, and told the story of how organizations of all kinds are tapping the power of empathy to develop a shared sense of how best to meet stakeholders needs and increase effectiveness. Watch the video of Dev Patnaik's plenary address:

• Part 1: Featuring an introduction from Gregg Behr, The Grable Foundation, and Janine Lee, Southern Partners Fund (Dev's talk begins at 13:20)
• Part 2
• Part 3

Visit the Wired to Care website, filled with more information on the book and empathy, including videos, blog posts and the popular Empath-o-meter.

Read "True Empathy is Key to Effective Philanthropy" an opinion piece featured in The Chronicle of Philanthropy in April 2010. Jump’s Dev Patnaik teamed up with Kathleen Enright, GEO's CEO, to discuss the growing need for empathy in the nonprofit world. In this rocky economy, simply caring deeply for others isn’t enough to grow and succeed.

What are people saying about Widespread Empathy?

"The new GEO publication, Widespread Empathy, lifts up the practices our colleagues are using to deepen their empathic connection to the communities they serve and the organizations they support.  I sense that these practices grow from a strong sense of institutional values, and a commitment to closing the gap between grantmakers and their partners.  I hope other readers will find “Widespread Empathy” as provocative as I did.  While firmly rooted in practice, the publication invited  reflection about the “why" questions as much as the “how”.  And it is useful to revisit the “why” once in a while."

- David Nee, executive director of The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund

"The Haas, Jr. Fund was delighted to hear that GEO was working on a publication on empathy in philanthropy. This is a topic we talk about all the time — how to make sure that we are respectful of the perspectives and opinions of the organizations and the people whom our grantmaking is intended to help.  We are eager to continue the conversation with our foundation colleagues about how to bring more empathy to our work."

- Denis Chicola, senior communications officer for the Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund

"Being fairly new to the grant making community, I found GEO publications to be not only helpful—but also, challenging. Are we making the best use of our funds, our time and can we do more—even with less? Having worked in a business environment for many years, I know that involving staff, board members and, now, grantees in of the decision making processes makes for more effective outcomes. And, I do mean involving grantees. Many times a simple conversation with individuals within a grantee organization can open new and more efficient methods of funding without an increase in dollars. GEO’s sharing of innovative ideas and the upfront approach as they put them into words and share is refreshing and very helpful."   

- Beatrice Benidt, president at Charles E. Benidt Foundation

"Meyer believes that all our work must be rooted in a profound respect for nonprofit leaders and empathy for their daily challenges.

Widespread Empathy is full of simple and practical ideas that can foster deep, compassionate philanthropic action.

We love the idea that empathy in its fullest expression creates impact in nonprofits and communities."

- Julie Rogers, president and CEO of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation