Conversations for Change operates as a 501(c)3 organization, meaning that donations to our organization are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Also, Conversations for Change does not accumulate financial wealth, instead re-investing any profits into the communities in which we work. The American public owns this organization, and it is our duty to create the social values that civil society is meant to sustain.

We invest in programs, iniatives, and businesses that have singularly social and blended value. Investments of time and money in these areas return dividends of more than financial return, they provide to communities social advancement through the best democratic practices. Only through extending the community's capacity to collaborate by creating consensus can advancement and progress be sustained. We are able to invest 100% of donations into programs that build communities.

Our belief and our mission both mention "effective public deliberation." Effective public deliberation takes place in the context of Conversation Circles, aptly named for the circular formation of chairs wherein community members sit and converse. We have several tenants to our vision of effective public deliberation:

1) Community-specific Scope
The scope of Conversation Circles is always community-specific. Community members are expert in knowledge of their own community, so the results of conversations are accurate indicators of community interests. Targeting community-level issues streamlines the process of positive change because of typically small geographic areas and less formal bureaucracy, e.g. "red tape," to overcome. These community issues are typically more important to the lives of community members than more macroeconomic or other macroscopic issues.

2) Facilitated
Facilitated conversation means that a professional facilitator helps the Conversation Circle communicate and take notes. There are a tremendous amount of difficulties challenging small group communication, and without proper understanding and strategies, communication is often fruitless and unproductive. Our facilitator training program is comprehensive and effective at teaching the fundamentals needed to meet these challenges in a wide range of communities. For more information click here.

3) Empowered
Empowered Participation means that participants have the authority to implement the results of their Conversation or that those who harbor authority have preliminarily agreed to implement the results of the Conversation. When people know that there voice is being heard, that their contributions are meaningful and contributing to something real, they take pride in ownership and develop a greater stake in community participation.

4) Inclusive
Conversation Circles include stakeholders, policymakers, play-makers, and experts in all various forms. In fact, each participant has a little bit of them all. Stakeholders are specifically community members, but everyone has a stake in human success. Policymakers are local politicians and bureaucrats who can immediately include results into a change in the daily routine. Play-makers are typically entrepreneurs in the private sector or leaders in the public sector who have the capability of bringing outside resources to bear in the community. Experts in various fields give participants the knowledge needed to frame issues and consider consequences.

5) Personal Size
Conversation Circles should never be larger than 12 people. Everyone in the group has the potential to contribute something valuable to a shared understanding or development of ideas. Each participant has a unique life experience, perspective, and skill set from which, if shared, has the potential to create positive change and deeper understanding.