Opportunities for Change

Our vision to advance the health and well-being of individuals, communities and the environment is admittedly ambitious. The vision will become reality only with equally bold, philanthropic support. Philanthropy is how we stretch and grow into an extraordinary resource for health systems, corporations, schools, faith communities and consumers. Strategically-crafted gifts will transform the Center’s leadership and expand its program initiatives in the following ways:

Center Leadership: Established as an Endowed Chair

Permanent support for the Center’s Director is essential to assure long-term continuity and achieve the transformational outcomes at this pivotal juncture in the Center’s history. An endowed chair will support the Center’s leading voice throughout the University, state, nation and world.

A Center Brain Trust

To reach the next level of impact, the Center seeks to establish endowed professorships in three areas key to the field of integrative health and healing:

• Integrated Health and Wellbeing Leadership
• Care Model Innovation and Design Thinking
• Whole Systems Research Methodologies

Our vision is for these positions with unique context expertise to form a synergistic “brain trust.” These leaders will attract extramural research funding, teach and mentor students, develop partnerships internally throughout the University and externally in the broader world, and bring a leadership presence in concert with the Center’s Director.

Wellbeing Leadership and Taking Charge of Your Health

Five years ago, the Center launched its ‘Taking Charge’ website to help consumers create healthier lifestyles, benefit from encounters with healthcare systems and integrate a broad range of practices into healing and general health regimens. What seemed ahead of its time then is central to today’s healthcare conversation. The Center has expanded its Taking Charge offerings to include strategic consultation with leading corporations, new courses for students (“Ecosystems of Wellbeing”), and consultation with a variety of clinical/communal settings that wish to bring a wellness focus to their patient, caregiver and employee populations. With philanthropic support, we seek to expand this pivotal work with staff, product offerings, website updates and more.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

MBSR is a course that combines meditation with movement to create sharper awareness of body, mind and spirit. MBSR explores ways in which thoughts, feelings and behaviors can undermine emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. The Center has emerged as Minnesota’s leading provider of MBSR courses in both corporate and community settings. We seek to grow this program with more staff support, funded research projects and communications that expand the public’s awareness of MBSR’s benefits.