GROUNDED IDEALIST 

UPDATED TERMS OF SERVICE 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 or client, you ("User") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and the Privacy Policy 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.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you agree not to participate in our Programs.

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. Our Programs include:

• Initial matching of coaches and clients using proprietary technology

• Up to three (3) pro bono or low-bono (with an affordable administrative fee) coaching sessions per client-coach pairing

• Optional continuation of coaching relationships beyond the initial sessions

• Optional participation in additional offerings, including group coaching, paid coaching engagements, membership programs, online learning community, workshops and seminars, a public service incubator, and additional career transition support services

• 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 July 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 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. 

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 terms of their pro bono coaching.

3.2 Completion of Pro Bono Engagement

Upon completion of the pro bono sessions, we kindly ask that coaches inform Grounded Idealist. 

• Email notification to info@groundedidealist.co with subject line "Completion of pro bono engagement"

• If interested in receiving additional clients and/or updating your availability, please include this information in your email

3.3 Extension of Pro Bono Engagement

Coaches may continue providing pro bono services beyond the initial three sessions at their sole discretion. Such extensions require:

• Email notification to info@groundedidealist.co with subject line "Extending pro bono engagement"

• No additional obligations or fees to the Organization

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 encouraged to make a suggested (tax-deductible) donation of 10% of the gross earnings from their coaching engagement to our ongoing programming.

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 (e.g. $50-200/hour), 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 must complete this simple form notifying the Organization of any transition to paid services.

4.4 Donation Requirement

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 would 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 (workers in transition)

• While an administrative fee is required to participate in pro bono coaching, a membership is not required to offer or benefit from pro bono coaching

• The paid membership program confers additional benefits for coaches, including:

• Access to our customized learning events and courses, past recordings, curriculum, and tools, our curated global learning community, participation in group coaching and coaching supervision programs, early access to other offerings, and, secondarily, the ability to be considered for paid coaching engagements organized by Grounded Idealist.

• The paid career transition programs for clients/workers confer additional tiered benefits, including: access to additional 1:1 coaching sessions, our proprietary 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.

• 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:

• Supervise 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.

5.3 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.

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 of Service and Privacy Policy.

Grounded Idealist

Effective Date: September 1, 2025