2025-11-17T19:20:43-05:00 2024-12-31 993687931 RICHARD COLINS 611 GATEWAY BLVD 120 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA 94080 990 2024-01-01 870856460 EMPATHY IN NATURE PROJECT INC EMPA 6193922465 3619 ALBERT STREET SAN DIEGO CA 92103 ANGELINA GIOVANNINI PRESIDENT 6193922465 2025-11-14 true CARLO DE GUZMAN EA P01718105 4159261800 2025-11-14 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z ANGELINA GIOVANNINI 3619 ALBERT STREET SAN DIEGO CA 92103 376076 false X WWW.EMPATHYINNATURE.ORG X 2021 CA EMPATHY IN NATURE PROJECT, INC. WAS ESTABLISHED (I) TO EDUCATE PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING AND DEVELOPING THEIR CAPABILITIES USING INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE METHODS INVOLVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND OUTDOOR-BASED EDUCATION; (II) TO DEVELOP NEW MODELS OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION INVOLVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND OUTDOOR-BASED EDUCATION; (III) TO OPERATE A PRE-SCHOOL WITH A REGULAR FACULTY AND CURRICULUM WITH REGULARLY ENROLLED STUDENTS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. 3 3 3 9 0 3500 376076 0 0 0 3500 376076 0 0 321105 280676 1150 0 0 444859 354449 767114 635125 -763614 -259049 364263 112285 472 3810 363791 108475 X EMPATHY IN NATURE PROJECT, INC. WAS ESTABLISHED (I) TO EDUCATE PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING AND DEVELOPING THEIR CAPABILITIES USING INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE METHODS INVOLVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND OUTDOOR-BASED EDUCATION; (II) TO DEVELOP NEW MODELS OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION INVOLVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND OUTDOOR-BASED EDUCATION; (III) TO OPERATE A PRE-SCHOOL WITH A REGULAR FACULTY AND CURRICULUM WITH REGULARLY ENROLLED STUDENTS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. false false 457126 IN 2022 EMPATHY IN NATURE CREATED THE GROW OUTSIDE PROGRAM, WHICH WORKS WITH LOCAL UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS TO TRANSFORM THEIR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT INTO A NATURAL PLAYGROUND. CHILDREN GO FROM PLAYING ON HOT ASPHALT LOTS WITH NO SHADE, TO LIVING BREATHING LEARNING SPACES, IDEAL FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, STEAM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES A PROCESS THAT STARTS WITH INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY PLANNING, BRINGING TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE SCHOOL AND SURROUNDING AREA TO ENVISION THE SPACE, TO SHARE THEIR CHALLENGES, EXPERIENCES, AND VISIONS OF WHAT WOULD SERVE THE CHILDREN, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES BEST. FOLLOWING THIS PROCESS, EMPATHY IN NATURE HOLDS DIFFERENT EVENTS INCLUDING A COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAY, A CHILDREN'S ART DAY, AND A FIRST DAY OF PLAY EVENT TO ENSURE THAT IT IS COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED THROUGHOUT. EIN HAS DEVELOPED A CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES A 6-PART STORYBOOK SERIES, ACCOMPANYING FIELD GUIDES, AND INDIVIDUALIZED FIELD GUIDES THAT SUPPORT NATURE-BASED, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING. TEACHER WORKSHOPS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE GROW OUTSIDE PROCESS, AND ARE HELD IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY THAN MOST TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS. WORKSHOPS ARE INTERACTIVE, ENGAGING, AND INVOLVE MOVING AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL, CONFERENCE OR CLASSROOM SETTING, WITH CREATIVE AND WELCOMING INVITATIONS TO PLAY (PROVOCATIONS) THAT PROVIDE HANDS ON INSPIRATION FOR EDUCATORS, INSTIGATING A PARADIGM SHIFT TOWARDS A MORE CHILD-CENTERED, PLAY-BASED APPROACH TO LEARNING, WHERE THE ENVIRONMENT SERVES AS A TEACHER AND TEACHERS SERVE AS GUIDES. OVER THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE DEVELOPED A RELATIONSHIP WITH A MAJOR UNIVERSITY WHO IS HELPING TO FUND TRANSFORMATIONS OF HEAD START PROGRAMS IN SAN DIEGO. WE HAVE TRANSFORMED 3 SCHOOLS INTO NATURE PLAY LEARNING CENTERS, TRAINED OVER 200 EDUCATORS WITHIN THE HEAD START PROGRAM ON NATURE-PLAY AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TEACHING PRACTICES, AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN TODAY AND THOUSANDS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS WHO WILL COME THROUGH THESE SCHOOLS. THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP, WE ARE COLLECTING AND STUDYING THE DATA ON THESE SCHOOLS TO ADD TO THE BODY OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE PERTAINING TO NATURE PLAY AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE TRANSFORMED AN OUTDOOR SPACE FOR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, INCREASING THEIR OUTSIDE, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING TIME BY 90%. THE SCHOOL IS REPORTING MORE CREATIVITY, ART, FREE PLAY, AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SINCE THE OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WENT IN. 140557 EMPATHETIC EDUCATORS ALWAYS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EMPATHY IN NATURE MISSION, EMPATHETIC EDUCATORS HAS DEVELOPED INTO A PROGRAM THAT BRINGS TOGETHER LEADING-EDGE EDUCATORS AND RESEARCHERS IN SERVICE OF THE UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED IN THESE SPACES. THE BARRIERS TO THIS LEVEL OF TEACHER TRAINING ARE HIGH, BETWEEN COSTS, SCHEDULES, AND LOCATIONS. EMPATHY IN NATURE IS BRIDGING THAT GAP AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATORS AND CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING LOW OR NO-COST WORKSHOPS AND COURSES, PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION AND/OR BRINGING THE WORKSHOPS TO AREAS THAT REPRESENT THESE COMMUNITIES, AND MAKING WORKSHOPS AND COURSES AVAILABLE AT TIMES THAT WORK FOR THEM. IN 2023 EMPATHY IN NATURE PARTNERED WITH UC SAN DIEGO EXTENSION TO RUN AN A SYNCHRONOUS COURSE THAT WAS FREE FOR PARTNERS OF EIN AND PROVIDED UNIVERSITY CREDIT FOR THEIR NATURE PLAY COURSE. IN 2024 EIN EMBARKED ON AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM WITH A LOCAL NON-PROFIT TO BRING NATURE-PLAY AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TRAINING TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. TRADITIONALLY, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY FAMILY-RUN BUSINESSES, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME KINDS OF QUALITY TRAINING AND RESOURCES THAT OTHER CHIDCARE ORGANIZATIONS ARE. AS INDIVIDUALLY RUN BUSINESSES, THEY LACK COMMUNITY AND PEER-DRIVEN SUPPORT. EIN CREATED A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED A 4-WORKSHOP IN-PERSON SERIES, CUSTOMIZED FIELD GUIDES, AND QUARTERLY OFFICE HOURS, ALL PROVIDED FOR FREE TO THE LOCAL CHILDCARE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM WAS EXTRAORDINARILY POPULAR AND SUCCESSFUL. TO EXPAND REACH, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO AN ONLINE PLATFORM, GIVING FREE ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO RUN, EXPANDING INTO TOPICS THAT PROVIDERS HAVE EXPRESSED THE MOST INTEREST IN, WHILE REPEATING THE ORIGINAL WORKSHOPS TO ENSURE THAT MORE PROVIDERS ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO ATTEND. 597683 true true false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 18 0 3 true false false false false false false false false X 3 3 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true false true true false CA X ANGELINA GIOVANNINI 6193922465 3619 ALBERT STREET SAN DIEGO CA 92103 ANGELINA GIOVANNINI PRESIDENT 40.00 X X 150000 0 0 CAROLYN SANDERS TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 GRACE LIU SAHOTA SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 150000 1 false false false 376076 376076 376076 X 150000 143930 6070 99123 99123 8719 8719 22834 22347 487 4029 4029 329738 327244 2494 3762 3762 8224 548 7676 123 123 729 729 7844 7844 635125 597683 37442 0 367996 112285 -3733 364263 112285 472 3810 472 3810 X 363791 108475 363791 108475 364263 112285 -259049 3733 X false false X 376076 376076 376076 376076 376076 376076 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED CHASE BUSINESS CARD 2103 BENEFIT 401K LIABILITIES 1707 3810 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION EMPATHY IN NATURE PROJECT, INC. WAS ESTABLISHED (I) TO EDUCATE PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING AND DEVELOPING THEIR CAPABILITIES USING INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE METHODS INVOLVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND OUTDOOR-BASED EDUCATION; (II) TO DEVELOP NEW MODELS OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION INVOLVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND OUTDOOR-BASED EDUCATION; (III) TO OPERATE A PRE-SCHOOL WITH A REGULAR FACULTY AND CURRICULUM WITH REGULARLY ENROLLED STUDENTS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A IN 2022 EMPATHY IN NATURE CREATED THE GROW OUTSIDE PROGRAM, WHICH WORKS WITH LOCAL UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS TO TRANSFORM THEIR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT INTO A NATURAL PLAYGROUND. CHILDREN GO FROM PLAYING ON HOT ASPHALT LOTS WITH NO SHADE, TO LIVING BREATHING LEARNING SPACES, IDEAL FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, STEAM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES A PROCESS THAT STARTS WITH INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY PLANNING, BRINGING TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE SCHOOL AND SURROUNDING AREA TO ENVISION THE SPACE, TO SHARE THEIR CHALLENGES, EXPERIENCES, AND VISIONS OF WHAT WOULD SERVE THE CHILDREN, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES BEST. FOLLOWING THIS PROCESS, EMPATHY IN NATURE HOLDS DIFFERENT EVENTS INCLUDING A COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAY, A CHILDREN'S ART DAY, AND A FIRST DAY OF PLAY EVENT TO ENSURE THAT IT IS COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED THROUGHOUT. EIN HAS DEVELOPED A CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES A 6-PART STORYBOOK SERIES, ACCOMPANYING FIELD GUIDES, AND INDIVIDUALIZED FIELD GUIDES THAT SUPPORT NATURE-BASED, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING. TEACHER WORKSHOPS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE GROW OUTSIDE PROCESS, AND ARE HELD IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY THAN MOST TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS. WORKSHOPS ARE INTERACTIVE, ENGAGING, AND INVOLVE MOVING AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL, CONFERENCE OR CLASSROOM SETTING, WITH CREATIVE AND WELCOMING INVITATIONS TO PLAY (PROVOCATIONS) THAT PROVIDE HANDS ON INSPIRATION FOR EDUCATORS, INSTIGATING A PARADIGM SHIFT TOWARDS A MORE CHILD-CENTERED, PLAY-BASED APPROACH TO LEARNING, WHERE THE ENVIRONMENT SERVES AS A TEACHER AND TEACHERS SERVE AS GUIDES. OVER THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE DEVELOPED A RELATIONSHIP WITH A MAJOR UNIVERSITY WHO IS HELPING TO FUND TRANSFORMATIONS OF HEAD START PROGRAMS IN SAN DIEGO. WE HAVE TRANSFORMED 3 SCHOOLS INTO NATURE PLAY LEARNING CENTERS, TRAINED OVER 200 EDUCATORS WITHIN THE HEAD START PROGRAM ON NATURE-PLAY AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TEACHING PRACTICES, AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN TODAY AND THOUSANDS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS WHO WILL COME THROUGH THESE SCHOOLS. THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP, WE ARE COLLECTING AND STUDYING THE DATA ON THESE SCHOOLS TO ADD TO THE BODY OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE PERTAINING TO NATURE PLAY AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE TRANSFORMED AN OUTDOOR SPACE FOR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, INCREASING THEIR OUTSIDE, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING TIME BY 90%. THE SCHOOL IS REPORTING MORE CREATIVITY, ART, FREE PLAY, AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SINCE THE OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WENT IN. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B EMPATHETIC EDUCATORS ALWAYS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EMPATHY IN NATURE MISSION, EMPATHETIC EDUCATORS HAS DEVELOPED INTO A PROGRAM THAT BRINGS TOGETHER LEADING-EDGE EDUCATORS AND RESEARCHERS IN SERVICE OF THE UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED IN THESE SPACES. THE BARRIERS TO THIS LEVEL OF TEACHER TRAINING ARE HIGH, BETWEEN COSTS, SCHEDULES, AND LOCATIONS. EMPATHY IN NATURE IS BRIDGING THAT GAP AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATORS AND CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING LOW OR NO-COST WORKSHOPS AND COURSES, PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION AND/OR BRINGING THE WORKSHOPS TO AREAS THAT REPRESENT THESE COMMUNITIES, AND MAKING WORKSHOPS AND COURSES AVAILABLE AT TIMES THAT WORK FOR THEM. IN 2023 EMPATHY IN NATURE PARTNERED WITH UC SAN DIEGO EXTENSION TO RUN AN A SYNCHRONOUS COURSE THAT WAS FREE FOR PARTNERS OF EIN AND PROVIDED UNIVERSITY CREDIT FOR THEIR NATURE PLAY COURSE. IN 2024 EIN EMBARKED ON AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM WITH A LOCAL NON-PROFIT TO BRING NATURE-PLAY AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TRAINING TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. TRADITIONALLY, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY FAMILY-RUN BUSINESSES, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME KINDS OF QUALITY TRAINING AND RESOURCES THAT OTHER CHIDCARE ORGANIZATIONS ARE. AS INDIVIDUALLY RUN BUSINESSES, THEY LACK COMMUNITY AND PEER-DRIVEN SUPPORT. EIN CREATED A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED A 4-WORKSHOP IN-PERSON SERIES, CUSTOMIZED FIELD GUIDES, AND QUARTERLY OFFICE HOURS, ALL PROVIDED FOR FREE TO THE LOCAL CHILDCARE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM WAS EXTRAORDINARILY POPULAR AND SUCCESSFUL. TO EXPAND REACH, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO AN ONLINE PLATFORM, GIVING FREE ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO RUN, EXPANDING INTO TOPICS THAT PROVIDERS HAVE EXPRESSED THE MOST INTEREST IN, WHILE REPEATING THE ORIGINAL WORKSHOPS TO ENSURE THAT MORE PROVIDERS ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO ATTEND. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B AN ELECTRONIC COPY IS PROVIDED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD TREASURER FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. AFTER PROVIDING WRITTEN APPROVAL TO THE CPA/TAX PREPARER, THE FORMS ARE ELECTRONICALLY FILED. PAPER COPIES AS WELL AS THE FINAL ELECTRONIC COPY ARE PROVIDED FOR ARCHIVES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C BOARD REVIEWS CONFLICT OF INTEREST ANNUALLY; ALL OFFICERS SIGN. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A COMPENSATION REVIEWED BY THE BOARD IN JULY OF 2021 USING LINKDIN FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B DEPENDING ON THE EMPLOYEE'S POSITION AND CLASSIFICATION, THE EMPATHY IN NATURE PROJECT ENDEAVORS TO REVIEW PERFORMANCE ANNUALLY. HOWEVER, A POSITIVE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN INCREASE IN SALARY, A PROMOTION OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. COMPENSATION INCREASES AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING JOB ASSIGNMENTS, TRANSFERS, PROMOTIONS, AND DEMOTIONS, ARE DETERMINED BY AND AT THE DISCRETION OF MANAGEMENT. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUESTS FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G BANK CHARGES & FEES 0 18 0 CONTRACTORS - GROW OUTSIDE 244,684 0 0 CONTRACTORS - TEACHER TRAININ 70,292 0 0 JOB SUPPLIES 2,020 0 0 PUBLISHING 10,248 0 0 SHIPPING 0 452 0 TAXES & LICENSES 0 200 0 PAYROLL BENEFITS FEES 0 1,824 0 TOTAL 327,244 2,494 0