A LEGACY TO LIVE INTO
Lifebridge Foundation
PROMOTING THE ONENESS OF HUMANITY AND THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL LIFE
About | History | Grantees
About
Honoring the Legacy of The Lifebridge Foundation
The Lifebridge Foundation, Inc. was established in 1992 to support organizations and individuals who, through cultural, educational, and scientific means, created bridges of understanding among all people by actions to realize the oneness of humanity and the interconnectedness of all life.
For over three decades, The Lifebridge Foundation was dedicated to supporting groups and individuals whose innovative projects reflected a perspective of oneness. The foundation championed work that exemplified a global vision, demonstrated a spirit of inclusiveness, and fostered transformative action in a changing world.
Although The Lifebridge Foundation has now dissolved, its legacy endures. The values and vision of the foundation live on in the transformative work it supported and the enduring impact it has made.
About | History | Grantees
History
Barbara L. Valocore, President
The Lifebridge Foundation, Inc. was incorporated and funded as a small independent family foundation in 1992. <MORE HISTORY LINK> This marked the beginning of an absorbing and compelling journey into the relatively uncharted territory of what could be termed “holistic activism”. The idea was to foster the truths of the underlying planetary unity and the factual reality of a single human race through philanthropy. The Foundation was established to provide opportunities for groups and individuals who were working to promote these ideas. Since that time over 200 non-profit organizations and individuals were helped to fulfill their missions. A wide and inclusive mission statement reflecting openness and breadth was key.
Early on, it became clear we needed to align ourselves with larger and more established organizations as a way to become known to the audience we were targeting. It was therefore natural to approach groups like The Institute of Noetic Sciences and The New York Open Center as a way to learn more about their networks. It wasn’t very long thereafter that we were “known” and the letters came flooding in. Some even called us a “spiritual” foundation.
It soon became clear there was a pressing need for funders who were willing to support fledgling groups doing innovative and awe-inspiring work and who had the potential to reach large constituencies. For these people, a relatively small foundation grant or seed grant, helped them tremendously. It helped launch their work and positioned them to receive additional and often larger grants.
Key Acheivements
The legacy of three decades in the field of unity and purpose
Key Acheivements
The Bridging Tree
From the Summer of 1998 to the Fall of 2004 Lifebridge Foundation published a semi-annual newsletter with articles and news from grantees and related projects PLUS the newest edition out in the summer 2012. Issues from Winter 2000 – 2001 through to Fall 2004 and the 2012 version can be downloaded as pdf files.
United Nations
After about five years of operation, it was suggested that The Lifebridge Foundation could add another dimension to its service by associating with the United Nations as an affiliated NGO (non-governmental organization). Initially, this prospect seemed quite daunting, given the foundation’s small size compared to the vastness of the UN. However, recognizing the large body of dedicated, volunteer-based organizations that support the core mission of the UN and act as representatives of civil society, the foundation felt it could make a meaningful contribution.
On December 10, 1997, Human Rights Day, The Lifebridge Foundation was awarded associative status with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations.
Grantee Gatherings
Always looking for ways to enhance the field of “holistic activism,” The Lifebridge Foundation frequently revisited the topic of meetings and gatherings. Their first small conference, inspired by grantee Rupert Sheldrake, focused on the intriguing and abstract concept of the consciousness of the Sun. Sheldrake had envisioned a conversation among thinkers from various disciplines on this incomprehensible idea. The foundation, always considering itself somewhat “on the edge” of the philanthropic world, embraced this unconventional topic, which kept them at the forefront of innovative thinking.
The conference was a resounding success, largely because the question posed had no definitive answer. This created an egalitarian environment where all participants could enjoy the debate on equal footing. Some attendees even requested anonymity to avoid potential professional repercussions in academia. The relationships formed during this unique meeting in June 1997 confirmed the foundation’s belief in the power of networking and collaboration.
In 1999, The Lifebridge Foundation began organizing small meetings for previous years’ grantees. These loosely structured and inspiring gatherings demonstrated that simply bringing grantees together to talk, relax, and network could achieve significant results. Participants from diverse backgrounds and disciplines soon realized they were all engaged in fundamentally similar work. Many collaborations emerged from these gatherings, showcasing the strength and growth of holistic activism.
A Place with Purpose
In 2005, the focus of The Lifebridge Foundation shifted to the establishment and operation of the Lifebridge Sanctuary, and the foundation took a break from grant-making. Despite its closure, the legacy of grantees remains strong, having grown from the grounds of what began in the strength of support from Lifebridge Foundation.
Upon its closure, The Lifebridge Foundation entrusted the Lifebridge Sanctuary to the Hero’s Journey® Foundation. Although The Lifebridge Foundation has closed, its legacy continues to face the future with renewed optimism and a deepened sense of purpose. The expanding and vibrant network of serving groups it supported remains a cohesive and lighted force for change and goodwill on the planet.
Lifebridge Sanctuary continues to operate as a retreat center in the Hudson Valley, welcoming the ongoing work of groups seeking space for community in retreat, in service of wellbeing in the world.