GROUNDED IDEALIST
UPDATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By participating in any Grounded Idealist programs, including the Coaching Collaborative ("Program"), whether as a coach, client, or organizational partner, you ("User") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy ("Terms") set forth herein. These Terms govern your use of services provided by Grounded Idealist ("Organization," "we," "us," or "our") and its fiscal sponsor, Social Good Fund.
By continuing to use our services or participate in any of our programs, you agree to the changes to the Terms and Conditions.
2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
All Grounded Idealist programs, including the Coaching Collaborative, provide unique services, including a matching service that connects coaches with individuals seeking scalable, affordable 1:1 coaching, group coaching, social entrepreneurship, learning and education, and career transition support. The Terms outlined here cover all present and future programs, including:
Activities that match coaches and clients using our proprietary technology
Programs that have a 1:1 or group coaching component or service
All membership programs, online learning community activities, workshops and seminars, our public service incubator, and additional career transition support and learning and leadership development services
Related activities that support administrative support, record-keeping, learning and evaluation, and program and customer relationship management
3. COACHING ENGAGEMENT UPDATES
3.1 Initial Sessions
From February 1 to August 31, 2025, the Coaching Collaborative facilitated pro bono coaching for thousands of displaced workers who met certain criteria. Each client-coach pairing was entitled to up to three (3) complimentary pro bono coaching sessions facilitated through our matching service.
Beginning September 1, 2025, Grounded Idealist will transition from a free model to a discounted model requiring an administrative fee for matching and managing coaching engagements. All displaced workers wishing to sign up for personalized coaching will be required to pay a $50 administrative fee (USD) to Grounded Idealist in return for 3 pro bono coaching sessions (a $750 value) with an accredited coach. Note: all other individuals (not displaced workers) will pay an agreed-upon fee based on tiered pricing shared during signup. Individuals experiencing severe economic hardship can apply for a scholarship to waive the administrative fee. Please email us directly at info@groundedidealist.co to be considered for a scholarship, using the subject “Scholarship request.” Proceeds will support the continued management, operational infrastructure, technology, and scalability of our coaching and other services.
Note: for those enrolling in other paid offerings and programs (see below), the admin fee will be waived.
Displaced Worker Criteria: At this time, pro bono coaching is available to former federal employees, contractors, implementing partners, as well as staff from multilateral agencies, universities, and non-profits who have, since January 2025, been furloughed, laid off, put on administrative leave, are otherwise unemployed as a result of executive action and federal workforce reductions, and individuals who are concerned that they may fall into these categories in the near future.
While Grounded Idealist invites all past and present beneficiaries of its pro bono coaching to make a tax-deductible donation that is meaningful to them, all individuals who have signed up before September 1, 2025, will be grandfathered in and eligible to complete the original terms of their pro bono coaching.
3.2 Completion of Pro Bono Engagement
Upon completion of pro bono coaching engagements, we kindly ask that coaches inform Grounded Idealist by completing this form.
3.3 Extension of Pro Bono Engagement
Coaches may continue providing pro bono services beyond the agreed-upon three sessions at their sole discretion. We kindly ask that you update us by completing this form (same form as above).
4. PAID COACHING ENGAGEMENTS
The primary mission of Grounded Idealist and the goals of our programs are educational, social impact, career transition support, and the development of coaches and displaced workers. Any access or benefit related to paid work and business opportunities is secondary and incidental.
Beginning September 1, 2025, all coaches wishing to transition their pro bono clients to paying clients are asked to make a suggested donation of 10% of the gross earnings from their coaching engagement to our ongoing programming. The donation may be tax-deductible, subject to applicable laws.
Any coaches wishing to be considered for other paid coaching engagements with Grounded Idealist beyond their matched clients will need an active membership and liability insurance. In return, Grounded Idealist will prioritize future paid coaching engagements for its members. Additional guidance is provided below.
4.1 Transition to Paid Services
If a coach and client mutually agree to transition from pro bono to paid coaching services beyond the initial pro bono sessions, the following terms apply:
4.2 Direct Contracting
Coaches may contract directly with clients using their own coaching agreements and processes.
Coaches and clients acknowledge that the paid coaching relationship is independent of Grounded Idealist. Grounded Idealist and its fiscal sponsor are not a formal party to any paid coaching agreement and should not be included.
While Grounded Idealist recommends affordable rates and a sliding scale to ensure equity and accessibility, rate negotiation and agreement are solely between coach and client.
By contracting directly with the client, the coach and client agree to hold Grounded Idealist and its fiscal sponsor harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities and to release the Organization from any responsibility related to the paid coaching engagement.
4.3 Notification Requirement
Coaches are asked to complete this form (same form as above) notifying the Organization of any transition to paid services.
4.4 Suggested Donation Request
Coaches transitioning to paid coaching engagements are asked to consider a ten percent (10%) suggested donation of anticipated gross earnings from such engagements to Grounded Idealist. This tax-deductible donation is a substitute for a formal referral fee or commission and is lower than industry standards (20-40%). (E.g. from a $500 coaching engagement, the coach is encouraged to make a $50 donation to Grounded Idealist using this link)
This donation:
Is tax-deductible (Grounded Idealist is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID (EIN) 46-1323531)
Empowers the coach to manage the contracting, scheduling, and coaching without additional oversight, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and efficiency
Supports the extension of Grounded Idealist services to additional displaced workers
Is made in good faith to support the Organization's mission
4.5 Compliance Monitoring
The Organization reserves the right to:
Conduct quarterly surveys of coaches and clients regarding their engagements
Cross-reference survey data with donation records
Follow up with information requests
4.6 Membership Details
Beginning September 1, 2025, Grounded Idealist will launch a paid membership program for coaches and customized paid career transition programs for clients (impacted workers)
While an administrative fee is required to benefit from pro bono coaching, a membership is not required to offer pro bono coaching
The paid membership program for coaches confers additional benefits, including:
Access to our customized learning events and courses, curriculum, and tools, our curated global learning community, participation in group coaching and advanced learning programs and courses, early access to other offerings, and, secondarily, the ability to be considered for paid coaching engagements organized by Grounded Idealist.
Note: Beginning on September 1, 2025, only members will have access to past recordings. Non-members will continue to have access to some live events.
The paid career transition programs for clients/workers confer additional tiered benefits, including:
Access to our proprietary Root to Rise Career Navigator program and Pivot with Purpose workshop, personalized group coaching sessions with others navigating transition, our cutting-edge career and skill-building workshops, our powerful self-assessment tool, outplacement and job search clarity tools, global curated community, and other online resources.
Note: Beginning on September 1, 2025, only those in paid programs will have access to past recordings. Non-members will continue to have access to some live events.
Additional details, including cost, can be found on our website and sign-up forms.
5. DISCLAIMERS AND LIABILITY LIMITATIONS
5.1 Matching Service Only
The Organization provides a matching service and resourcing sessions. We do not:
Manage or oversee coaching sessions
Guarantee outcomes or results
Assume responsibility for coach or client conduct, attendance, or behavior
Provide coaching services directly
5.2 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the organization and its fiscal sponsor shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or relating to the program or these terms. Furthermore, each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party and its affiliates, and their respective employees, officers, directors, agents, contractors, and users against any damages, expenses, or losses (including reasonable attorney's fees) from any third party claims arising from or related to the first party’s breach of this Agreement. Each party agrees to release and discharge each such person from any and all claims, suits, controversies, causes of action, cross-claims, counter claims, demands, legal proceedings, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, liabilities, or losses of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, whether known or unknown, liquidated or contingent, which you have ever had, now or may in the future have relating to, arising out of or in any way connected with the coaching sessions, any interactions with individuals introduced to you by Grounded Idealist, and any other activity facilitated at any time (including any circumstance, agreement, action, omission, event or matter occurring or existing between you and any such person), except with respect to any matters which, pursuant to applicable law or public policy, cannot be released. This waiver includes agreeing that the organizers, clients, coaches, and other released parties will not be held liable in the event the coaching client (i.e., job seeker, displaced worker) does not find satisfactory work.
5.3 Disclaimer
Clients and coaches understand and agree that coaching is not therapy, psychological counseling, or social work, even though the coaching work may address personal issues or life conditions that impact on well-being and professional effectiveness. Clients further understand and agree that coaches are not licensed career counselors, human resources professionals, or recruiters and that coaching conversations do not constitute professional career counseling, job placement, HR services, or legal, financial, or business advice. Further, clients agree that coaches are not responsible for the decisions the client makes, nor are coaches liable for any damages or costs that come with a client's decisions or actions. None of Grounded Idealist, the Coaching Collaborative, our Fiscal Sponsor, any coach associated with this program, or any of their respective representatives make any representation regarding the content of the coaching sessions or any outcome with respect thereto.
5.4 Coach-Client Relationship
The coaching relationship exists solely between the coach and client. The Organization is not responsible for:
Professional conduct of coaches
Client satisfaction or outcomes
Disputes between coaches and clients
Any harm or damage resulting from coaching services
6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Users retain ownership of their intellectual property. By participating in the Program, Users grant the Organization a non-exclusive license to use anonymized data and feedback for program improvement and promotional purposes.
Social Good Fund/Grounded Idealist has not agreed to and does not agree to treat as confidential any Feedback (as defined below) Program Participants (coaches or displaced works) provide to Social Good Fund/Grounded Idealist, and nothing in this Agreement or in the parties' dealings arising out of or related to this Agreement will restrict Social Good Fund/Grounded Idealist's right to use, disclose, publish, keep secret, or otherwise exploit Feedback, without compensating or crediting Program Participant in question.
Feedback will not be considered Confidential Information, provided information Customer transmits with Feedback or related to Feedback may be considered Confidential Information. ("Feedback" refers to any suggestion or idea for improving or otherwise modifying any of Social Good Fund/Grounded Idealist's programs.)
7. PRIVACY POLICY
7.1 Information Collection
We collect the following information:
Information provided by coach and client during sign-up
Contact information (name, email, phone)
Professional background and experience
Coaching preferences and goals
Session completion data
Survey responses and feedback
Donation records and payment information
7.2 Use of Information
Collected information is used to:
Facilitate coach-client matching
Administer the Program
Conduct program evaluation and improvement
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
Process donations and issue tax documentation
7.3 Information Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent personal information to third parties. Information may be shared:
With our fiscal sponsor (Social Good Fund) for administrative purposes
With service providers who assist in program operations
When required by law or legal process
With user consent
7.4 Data Security
We implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
7.5 Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill program purposes and comply with legal obligations.
7.6 User Rights
Users may request to:
Access their personal information
Correct inaccurate information
Delete their information (subject to legal requirements)
Opt out of non-essential communications
Discontinue their engagement at anytime upon request
8. TERMINATION
8.1 Voluntary Termination
Users may terminate their participation at any time by written notice to the Organization (info@groundedidealist.co)
8.2 Termination for Cause
The Organization may terminate a User's participation for:
Violation of these Terms
Unprofessional or harmful conduct
Failure to comply with donation requirements
Any reason deemed necessary to protect the Program's integrity
8.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination, Users must cease using Program services and comply with any outstanding obligations.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Modifications
These Terms may be modified at any time with thirty (30) days' written notice to Users.
9.2 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California.
9.3 Severability
If any provision is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full effect.
9.4 Entire Agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties regarding the Program.
9.5 Contact Information
Questions regarding these Terms should be directed to: info@groundedidealist.co
10. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By continuing to participate in the Coaching Collaborative and other Grounded Idealist programs after September 1, 2025, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Grounded Idealist
Effective Date: September 1, 2025