About Project Forgive
One five-minute video about forgiveness started a conversation that reached millions of people around the world. And that conversation continues today.
Project Forgive began in 2014 when Dr. Shawne shared the extraordinary story of Gary Weinstein, who lost his wife and two children to a drunk driver. Dr. Shawne was a close family friend of both Gary’s family and the man responsible for the tragedy.
The video went viral, attracting international media attention, inspiring leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and contributing to Dr. Shawne’s 2016 Nobel Peace Prize nomination.
What started with one family’s unimaginable loss became a global conversation about something we all experience: being hurt, struggling to forgive, and figuring out how to move forward.
Why Project Forgive Matters
We’ve all experienced relationships that become strained, conversations that go badly, and moments when someone hurts us deeply. Sometimes we receive an apology. Sometimes we’re left waiting for one that never comes.
And what happens next matters. Because the way we respond to hurt affects how we communicate, how we treat one another, and how much trust we’re able to build or rebuild.
Project Forgive is a global, non-religious, non-partisan, science-based movement reaching millions of people each month. Through brain science, emotional intelligence, and conversations that matter, we’re changing how we understand forgiveness and strengthening how we communicate in our families, friendships, workplaces, and communities.
Our signature work, The Apology (You’ll Never Receive)®, addresses one of the most difficult parts of forgiveness: moving forward when someone never acknowledges the pain they caused.
Where We’re Going
Some of the most important conversations happen when people are hurting, relationships are strained, and trust has been damaged.
That’s why we’re expanding our work with educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and others who regularly navigate these moments with the people they serve.
When we strengthen the people who strengthen others, the impact reaches far beyond one conversation. It reaches families, workplaces, and entire communities.
Join Us
We’d love for you to become a Community Bridge Builder with us. Whether you’re navigating forgiveness in your own life, supporting someone you love, or leading others through difficult times, you belong in this conversation.
Every conversation is an opportunity to build trust. And together, we’re creating more of those conversations around the world.