The Great Turning: Honoring a Legacy. Inspiring the Future
This year’s Gala marks a moment of return and renewal. As the Charter for Compassion gathers in Seattle—its first Compassionate City—we honor the individuals whose vision and dedication helped grow a local movement into a global force for good. The Charter for Compassion's legacy lives in the communities, partnerships, and lives touched around the world. The Great Turning reflects this pivotal moment: a turning from division to connection, from intention to action, and from past achievements to future possibility. Together, we celebrate where we have come from—and step forward, inspired, to shape a more compassionate world.
Each year, the Karen Armstrong Humanitarian Award, presented by the Charter for Compassion, honors individuals and organizations whose life work embodies compassionate action, moral courage, and a deep commitment to our shared humanity. These extraordinary leaders come from diverse traditions, cultures, and disciplines—but they share a profound truth: compassion is not a passive feeling. It is a force—powerful enough to transform lives, communities, and our world.
This year, the Gala is becoming more than a celebration. It is an invitation—to step into that force.
On this remarkable evening, every moment is designed to move you. Through powerful testimonies, unforgettable music, and stories of courage and resilience, we will honor those who have blazed a path forward, lighting the way for all of us. Their journeys remind us what is possible when compassion is lived boldly.
And yet, this work does not continue without you.
At a time when division, suffering, and uncertainty touch every corner of our world, the Charter for Compassion is expanding its reach—supporting youth leaders, building compassionate communities, advancing education, and creating pathways for healing and transformation. Your presence, your participation, and your generosity make this possible.
We invite you to be part of this movement.
- Please use the links below to learn more about this year’s inspiring recipients, the Gala program, and how you can contribute to the Gala Testimonial Book, honoring those who lead with compassion.
- Consider making a meaningful gift—one that ensures this work not only continues, but grows.
- Share in lifting these stories so they may inspire others across the globe.
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Join us live on Saturday, October 24th
at the historic site of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, for an evening that will stay with you long after it ends.
Or, if you cannot journey to Seattle, join us online:
October 24 at 7:00 PM Pacific Time
October 25 at 7:00 AM Pacific Time
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Join us for the Gala
This is more than a Gala.
It is a moment to stand together.
To affirm what we believe.
To invest in a future shaped by compassion.
We hope you will join us—and give generously to help bring this vision to life.
Join Us for an Extraordinary Evening of Compassion, Courage, and Celebration
Read the information below to see the ways in which you can participate and share in this year's Gala.
The 2026 Charter for Compassion Gala will bring together friends, supporters, honorees, artists, and community leaders for an unforgettable evening honoring lives devoted to compassionate action and our shared humanity.
This year’s Gala will take place live in Seattle at the historic site of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and will also be available online for participants joining from around the world.
Through powerful tributes, inspiring speakers, music, and stories of transformation, the evening will celebrate the recipients of the Karen Armstrong Humanitarian Award and raise essential support for the Charter for Compassion’s work in compassionate communities, youth engagement, education, and global transformation.
Whether you join us in person or online, your presence and generosity help sustain and expand this work at a time when compassion is needed more than ever.
Event Options
In-Person Gala Registration:
Saturday, October 24, 2026
@ 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Seattle, Washington
Join us live for a memorable evening of celebration, connection, inspiration, and compassionate action.
Doors to the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center will open at 5:00 PM.
We warmly encourage you to arrive early and take part in a special pre-Gala experience.
Exhibits showcasing Charter for Compassion programs will be on display, alongside interactive exhibits from our strategic partners—offering a unique opportunity to engage with the ideas, initiatives, and people advancing compassion around the world.
Come early to:
- Meet the individuals and organizations making compassion possible globally
- Explore innovative projects and partnerships
- Connect with fellow attendees and build new relationships
This time is designed to deepen your experience of the evening—transforming the Gala into not just an event, but a gathering of a global community.
Ticket Options
- Individual Ticket: $250
- Table Purchase (10 seats): $2,250
Reserve a table and invite friends, family, colleagues, or community partners to share in this special evening. If you purchase a table, please include the names and email addresses of your table guests so we may prepare appropriately and communicate important event details.
You may also choose to donate one or more seats to Charter for Compassion volunteers who have helped sustain and strengthen our work.
[ ] I would like to donate seats to Charter for Compassion volunteers
Online Participation
For those unable to travel to Seattle, we warmly invite you to join us online and be part of this global gathering.
Online Viewing Times
- Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM PT
- Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 7:00 AM PT
Online Ticket Options
- Individual Online Ticket: $50
- Watch Party Ticket – Group under 10: $250
- Watch Party Ticket – Group over 10: $500
Consider hosting a Gala watch party and inviting your family, friends, and community members to share this meaningful experience together. These group designations are offered on the honor system, with gratitude for your generosity and support.
Why Your Registration Matters
Your registration is more than a ticket—it is an investment in compassion in action.
Funds raised through the Gala support the Charter for Compassion’s work to:
- Strengthen compassionate communities around the world
- Engage and uplift young leaders
- Expand compassion-centered education and training
- Build bridges across cultures, generations, and differences
- Foster healing, dignity, and shared belonging
At a time when compassion is urgently needed, your participation helps ensure this work continues to grow and reach those who need it most.
Testimonial Journal
Your Gala registration includes a beautifully designed Testimonial Journal, honoring this year’s awardees and celebrating voices from across the Charter for Compassion’s global community. The Journal will feature tributes, reflections, artistic contributions, and messages from partners and supporters.
A digital version will be made available to all online participants.
Thank you for joining us for this extraordinary gathering. Whether you are seated in Seattle, exploring exhibits before the evening begins, or joining from across the globe with friends and community, you are part of a growing movement grounded in compassion, courage, and shared humanity.
Register today—and be part of this inspiring global celebration.
