Fetzer Institute

Democracy activating love is the goal of Fetzer's democracy work. It supports efforts that focus on the cultural aspects of democracythat expand the idea of "we" the people, build mutual respect and relationships across difference, and express the spiritual dimensions of our civic values to strengthen our country's social fabric. Examples of partners advancing this work include: 1) Institute for american values' integration of love into the braver angels crosspartisan dialogue methodologies; 2) philanthropy for active civic engagement's development and launch of a fund for faith and civic engagement; 3) citizen univeristy's civic saturdays and civic fellowship programs; and 4) listen first project's efforts to bring thousands of americans to converse facetoface on video with those who have different backgrounds and beliefs.

Faith & spirituality - Fetzer's work in this area strengthens a culture of love. The Institute supports spiritual care providers, spiritual innovators, and researchers who work to understand and contribute to a culture of love rooted in spirituality. It also supports religious leaders, scholars, practitioners and faith-based organizations in embodying and sharing the narratives of love that live in their distinct traditions. Examples of partners advancing this work include: 1) baylor university's longitudinal global study on causality in human flourishing executed by gallup; 2) on being project and underwriting in support of programmatic opportunities; 3) sagamore Institute's focus on building the field of faith-friendly intermediary networks; and 4) commonweal's effort to develop networks of retreat centers committed to connecting inner work with outer action.

Education - the Institute believes that spiritual awareness and contemplative pedagogy are necessary for children to flourish. The Institute invests in curricula, demonstration projects, and thought leadership that supports whole-person education. Examples of partners advancing this work include: 1) interfaith youth core's exploration of the challenge of pluralism and diversity on college campuses; 2) open future Institute's development of a question-based education curriculum for high school students; 3) collaborative for academic, social, and emotional learning's strategy development and 2021 annual conference; and 4) inner explorer's mindfulness-based social emotional learning in Michigan schools.