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CREATING THE FUTURE

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 273698981 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE B02 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · www.creatingthefuture.org
revenue
$26K
expenses
$33K
net assets
$5K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW TO CHANGE THE SYSTEMS THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN, TO AIM THOSE SYSTEMS AT BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE, ALL BY CHANGING THE QUESTIONS THEY ASK.

profile · synthesized from sources

Creating the Future is a global network dedicated to systems change through a framework called Catalytic Thinking. The organization teaches individuals and groups to ask questions that foster radical inclusion, possibility, and strength, aiming to bring out the best in people and create a more humane world. They share insights from their experiments in applying this framework across various settings.

named programs · 7 · from sources

what they call their work

Catalytic Thinking Framework
A question-based framework for creating positive change by focusing on radical possibility, radical inclusion, and collective enoughness, aiming to bring out the best in people.
Communities of Practice
Groups for individuals to learn and collaborate with others on applying Catalytic Thinking.
Customized Classes
Tailored learning experiences, from short webinars to intensive immersion education, for teams and organizations.
Making Change Podcasts
A podcast series hosted by Hildy Gottlieb featuring interviews with over 40 prominent change leaders about factors enabling significant community change.
Self-Paced Classes
Online courses including "Introduction to Catalytic Thinking," "Introduction to Catalytic Listening," "Building Resources via Collective Enoughness," and "Community Impact Planning."
YouTube Channel
A platform hosting free educational videos and opportunities related to Catalytic Thinking.
e-Journal Archive
A library of how-to articles, engaging conversations, and examples of Catalytic Thinking in action, including planning sessions.
activities · 3 clusters

what they do

  • Motivational & Leadership Keynote Speaking 2 activities
    • Global dissemination of Catalytic Thinking through workshops and tours
      Conducted international workshops and a multi-city tour across two countries (including Sydney, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Nelson), delivering immersion training and community-focused sessions to promote Catalytic Thinking.
    • Global outreach and workshop delivery
      Conducted international tours across two countries and six cities, delivering workshops in Sydney, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Nelson, and hosting 13 events to share Catalytic Thinking with community organizations.
  • Religious-Themed Book and Cookbook Publishing 1 activity
    • Publication of research-based books
      Authored and published The Pollyanna Principles, a research-based book contributing to the knowledge base on social change and organizational ethics.
  • Uncategorized 13 activities
    • Capacity building through dissemination of Catalytic Thinking practices
      Advances the adoption of Catalytic Thinking over a 10-year period by applying it in diverse settings, sharing learnings, supporting others’ experimentation, and documenting insights from over 30 demonstration projects.
    • Co-creation of collaborative learning events
      Co-developed and produced a joint conference focused on community capacity building, fostering shared learning and partnership in systems change work.
    • Conducting and sharing systems change experiments
      Engages a global network of individuals in collaborative experiments focused on systems change and disseminates findings to advance collective understanding and practice.
    • Delivery of immersive education programs
      Taught 11 week-long immersion courses and conducted 17 cohorts of immersion training on creating change, offering deep experiential learning before transitioning to a new format.
    • Delivery of self-paced and live educational programming
      Offers self-paced online classes on Catalytic Thinking, Catalytic Listening, Collective Enoughness, and Community Impact Planning, alongside live webinars, workshops, and tuition assistance to ensure accessibility.
    • Delivery of self-paced online classes on Catalytic Thinking
      Offers multiple self-paced online courses including "Introduction to Catalytic Thinking," "Introduction to Catalytic Listening," "Building Resources via Collective Enoughness," and "Community Impact Planning," designed to teach transformative practices for personal and community change.
    • Facilitation of knowledge exchange and collaborative learning
      Supports global networks in experimenting with Catalytic Thinking by sharing insights from demonstration projects, hosting joint conferences, and encouraging collaborative learning and knowledge dissemination.
    • Facilitation of live educational programming
      Hosts webinars, workshops, and customized learning experiences such as team immersions and tuition-assisted classes to increase accessibility and deepen engagement with Catalytic Thinking practices.
    • Production of educational media on Catalytic Thinking
      Created and distributed educational content including a podcast series featuring over 40 change leaders (2010–2014), free YouTube videos, blog articles, and interviews to share Catalytic Thinking practices.
    • Production of educational podcast series
      Hosted a podcast series between 2010 and 2014 featuring interviews with over 40 change leaders from around the world, providing accessible content on social change leadership.
    • Provision of free educational resources and multimedia content
      Provides how-to articles, blog posts, free educational videos on YouTube, and other open-access resources that demonstrate Catalytic Thinking in action and support independent learning.
    • Public engagement in organizational governance
      Opened all board meetings to public participation through live streaming video and Twitter, promoting transparency and inclusive oversight.
    • Publication of research-based resources
      Authored and published the book *The Pollyanna Principles*, contributing research-based insights to the field of social change and organizational transformation.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$26K
Contributions & grants$6K24%
Program service revenue$20K76%
Investment income$50%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$33K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$18K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$6K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$5K
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -40.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DIMITRI PETROPOLIS VICE PRESIDE 40 $11K
HILDY GOTTLIEB PRESIDENT 40 $10K
board members · 6
  • ANGIE EIKENBERRY — DIRECTOR
  • ELI ANGOTE — DIRECTOR
  • FARAH MAHESRI — DIRECTOR
  • JUSTIN POLLOCK — DIRECTOR
  • KARL WILDING — DIRECTOR
  • VU LE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 6

who they work with

  • Chronicle of Philanthropy Partner — Presented the Making Change podcast series in partnership with Creating the Future
  • Community Foundation of Westmoreland County Partner — Co-developed and produced a joint conference on community capacity building.
  • Community Waikato Partner — Partnered with Creating the Future to deliver Catalytic Thinking workshops in New Zealand.
  • LEAD Centre for Not for Profit Governance & Leadership Partner — Partnered with Creating the Future to deliver Catalytic Thinking workshops in Australia.
  • PA Assoc of Nonprofit Orgs Partner — Co-developed and produced a joint conference on community capacity building.
  • Prism consulting Partner — Invited Creating the Future to conduct workshops in Australia and New Zealand.