Fundamental Wellbeing Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $296,500 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies widely from individual scholarships to multi-year institutional support
• Geographic Focus: International (research across 6 continents)

Contact Details

• Website: https://fundamentalwellbeing.foundation/
• Phone: +1 307-231-1864
• Email: support@fundamentalwellbeing.foundation
• Mailing Address: PO Box 8906, Jackson, WY 83002

Overview

The Fundamental Wellbeing Foundation (EIN: 88-2425515) is a private foundation established to advance research and education about states of persistent psychological wellbeing, known as "Fundamental Wellbeing" or "Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience (PNSE)." With total assets of $2,112,787 and annual grant-making of approximately $300,000, the foundation supports both institutional research and individual scholarships. The foundation's work is closely tied to Dr. Jeffery A. Martin's 15+ years of academic research into consciousness and wellbeing states. Their strategic goal is to reach 25 million people experiencing Fundamental Wellbeing within the next 3 years, supporting this through targeted grants to research institutions and educational programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Institutional Research Support: Multi-year rolling grants to research institutions (amounts not publicly disclosed)
• Individual Scholarships: Covers "the bulk of the cost" for approved fundamental wellbeing educational programs (over 700 recipients to date)
• Operational Support: Financial, operational, and outreach support for aligned nonprofits

Priority Areas

• Scientific and academic research into consciousness and wellbeing states
• Educational programs teaching fundamental wellbeing practices
• Community building initiatives for practitioners
• Research dissemination and public education about PNSE

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside consciousness research and wellbeing education
• General operating support for unaligned organizations
• Traditional mental health or medical research
• Projects not directly related to their mission

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is closely associated with Dr. Jeffery A. Martin, who has conducted the largest academic research project on persistent wellbeing states through the Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness (CSNSC). The foundation's leadership focuses on translating this research into accessible programs and supporting further scientific investigation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations and individuals aligned with their specific mission of advancing fundamental wellbeing research and education. The foundation proactively identifies and approaches potential grant recipients.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on their grant history and strategic approach:

• The foundation partners with academic institutions conducting consciousness research, particularly those with established laboratories or research centers
• They support organizations already connected to Dr. Jeffery Martin's research network through the Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness
• Educational institutions offering contemplative studies or consciousness-related programs may be identified as potential partners
• Individual scholarships are available for those enrolled in foundation-approved fundamental wellbeing educational programs

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis through trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to absence of public application process

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates without a public application process, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, based on their grant-making patterns:

• Organizations conducting peer-reviewed research on consciousness, wellbeing, and contemplative practices align with their priorities
• Institutions with established research laboratories or academic programs in consciousness studies have received support
• Multi-year partnerships are preferred over one-time grants
• The foundation values organizations that can demonstrate scientific rigor in studying subjective wellbeing states
• Educational programs with measurable success rates (like their 60-70% success rate for the "Unshakeable" program) align with their evidence-based approach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder focused exclusively on consciousness research and fundamental wellbeing education
• No public application process exists - relationships must be cultivated within their existing network
• The foundation provides both institutional grants and individual scholarships
• Multi-year, rolling support is their preferred grant model
• Organizations must demonstrate direct alignment with their mission of advancing research into Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience
• With $2+ million in assets and growing grant-making capacity, they are a significant funder in this specialized field
• Building connections through the consciousness research community, particularly through institutions already receiving support, may be the only pathway to funding

References

• Fundamental Wellbeing Foundation official website: https://fundamentalwellbeing.foundation/ (accessed February 2025)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for EIN 88-2425515 (2023-2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer database entry for Fundamental Wellbeing Foundation
• Candid Foundation Directory Online profile
• Foundation strategic planning documents (2024)
• Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness research publications