Now What?! uses virtual and in-person dialogue, and other forms of live engagement, to weave across a broad set of movements for systemic transformation, in domains including social justice, climate and other environmental challenges, indigenous rights, new economic paradigms, new guiding stories and narratives, and new approaches to all major human systems including food, water, energy, government, organizational governance, education, health, community-building, spiritual growth, etc. 

The concept of The Great Turning articulated by David Korten and further developed by Joanna Macy is one way to summarize these transformational impulses. This includes the goals of 1) stopping harm and dismantling systems of oppression, 2) developing new paradigm alternatives for all aspects of the human presence on Earth, and 3) shifting consciousness towards the recognition of our essential unity, interdependence, and the sacredness of Earth and all beings. Now What?! also supports a fourth goal of fostering healing, regeneration, and reparations, as well as the decolonizing of thought patterns and behaviors that come from the dominant Western culture's roots in white (and other forms of) supremacy, patriarchy, and a "power-over" mindset.

Now What?! engagements are convened in partnership with conferences, networks, alliances, and organizations that are aligned with the vision of The Great Turning. A collective forms around each iteration to coordinate invitations, communications, hosting/facilitation, collective meaning-making, and a “pop-up gift economy.”

An initial set of Now What?! engagements were prototyped in March and May/June 2019. The next iteration took place from October 14-November 22, 2019, and another is planned for March 23-May 1, 2020.  The plan is to continue offering a regular cycle of twice-yearly engagements in a Spring/Fall rhythm.

The pop-up gift economy accompanying each Now What?! edition provides a nourishing flow of resources to its conveners, hosts, and other “staff,” and supports a set of projects selected by the members of the "Now What?! Collective." Members are also eligible to receive a “dividend” in return for their participation. See the list of current Collective Members and the invitation to become one here: https://www.nowwhat2019.com/collective-members

The financial component of the gift economy is supported by gifts from participants and people in their networks, as well as contributions from sponsoring organizations. All funding for Now What?! is managed via this Open Collective platform. Net proceeds after the deduction of fees charged by Open Collective and Stripe are allocated as follows: 60% to the Collective Members who work from September through November to convene and host the current edition of Now What?! and/or are supporting the coordination of the Pop-up Gift Economy and synthesis and meaning-making work. 

In addition to meeting the financial requests of the Now What?! conveners, hosts, and synthesizers, 20% of the net proceeds will be allocated across a set of projects nominated by participants, via a collaborative and democratic process.  The remaining 20% will be divided up pro-rata among all those who request a "participant dividend" in recognition of their contributions to Now What?!