Inspiring a Decade More
Thank you for your interest in signing the Global Charter for Compassion and becoming part of the Compassionate Atlanta network. We are so glad you are here.
Compassionate Atlanta is a grassroots nonprofit and part of a global movement to elevate compassion as a powerful tool for building healthier, more just, and connected communities. Rooted in the principles of the Charter for Compassion, we believe that compassion is the thread that weaves communities together—and that deep human connection is the foundation for social justice, equity, and healing.
Founded in 2014 after the Mayor of Atlanta signed the Global Charter, our movement began with a team of dedicated volunteers. Since then, we’ve grown into a regional force for good—hosting more than 25 community events annually, supporting a network of over 200 partner organizations, and creating more than 7,000 touches of compassion every year.
Whether you’re a business, school, nonprofit, faith community, or neighborhood group, joining is simple and free.
There is no one-size-fits-all model. Your commitment might look like:
We are here to walk alongside you and cheer you on as you make compassion real in your corner of the world.
Joining this movement is more than checking a box—it’s becoming part of a living, breathing ecosystem of compassion. It’s about creating a landscape of care where we see one another fully, act with intention, and build bridges across our differences.
Together, we’re amplifying the voice of compassion across Atlanta and beyond.
Welcome aboard, and thank you for helping build a kinder, more connected world.
With warmth and gratitude,
The Charter for Compassion is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences. Supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, the Charter activates the Golden Rule around the world. We are making a cooperative effort to restore not only compassionate thinking but, more importantly, compassionate action to the center of religious, moral and political life. Compassion is the principled determination to put ourselves in the shoes of the other and lies at the heart of all religious and ethical systems.
“The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all people to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community”.
Did you know that you can help create a more compassionate Atlanta every time you go to the supermarket?
If you have a registered Kroger Plus Card (available for free at the Customer Service desk in every Kroger store) and a Kroger Community Rewards online account, and choose us as your designated non-profit organization, your purchases will begin earning rewards for Compassionate Atlanta within 7 to 10 business days!