Philanthropic Priorities
In an ever-evolving field like Integrative Wellbeing and Whole Person Care, staying at the forefront of education is essential. At the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing, we're committed to offering a vibrant and adaptive curriculum that meets the needs of students, professionals, and the wider community.
Support for Dynamic Curriculum: Key to Transformative Learning
We provide a diverse range of graduate and undergraduate courses designed to enrich current degree programs and deepen understanding of wellbeing. Our distinguished faculty, known for their expertise and dedication, are passionate about expanding students’ perspectives and preparing them for successful, collaborative work environments.
Invest in the future of education by supporting the development of dynamic academic programs that adapt to the evolving needs of our students.
We invite you to make a lasting impact by committing to a 2-year pledge in support of our dynamic curriculum. To pledge a gift, visit "Make a Multi-year pledge " under "Ways to Give"
To learn more about our academic work, visit our For-Credit Courses Overview, Degrees, Minors and Certificates and our Master Course List.
Invest in Student Success
Enrolling in our programs is not just an investment in personal health and wellbeing but also a commitment to fostering resilient communities. Through interdisciplinary learning opportunities like our master’s degree in integrative health and wellbeing coaching, certificates, and courses in integrative therapies and healing practices, students gain the tools to transform their own lives while contributing to the greater collective by promoting whole health practices that positively impact our communities. Gifts that fund scholarships and fellowships provide support for current and future students while easing the burden of tuition.
Contribute to established student scholarships such as those listed below or establish your own named scholarship fund:
- A. Marilyn Sime Scholarship
Expand scholarship opportunities for students with interest in integrative therapies and healing practices.
- Margaret Hagen Smaby Arts and Healing Scholarship
Support graduate students in health and wellbeing, with a special emphasis on arts and healing.
- Maxine G. Strege Scholarship
Champion students at the Bakken Center.
Invest in the future of education by supporting the development of dynamic academic programs that adapt to the evolving needs of our students:
- CSH Education Program Fund
Ensure our courses remain innovative and impactful, shaping successful and well-rounded individuals.
Fuel Research and Discovery
Chronic pain negatively impacts peoples’ lives and is the leading cause of opioid addiction in the United States. The Center’s Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program is tackling this crisis through cutting-edge research of innovative treatments for pain and overall health, including one of the largest National Institutes of Health back pain trials in the US. Another important priority for this interdisciplinary team is to partner with historically marginalized populations to identify creative and culturally responsive ways to support physical, mental, and social wellbeing. For instance, our Partners4Pain initiative exemplifies our commitment to exploring new avenues for pain management and overall wellbeing.
- Integrative Health and Wellbeing Research Program
Shape culturally agile health researchers, fund innovation, and generate pilot data needed to pursue federal grants.
Empower People and Communities through Education and Engagement
Participating in wellbeing programs and webinars offers transformative benefits to both individuals and communities. These initiatives equip participants with practical tools to enhance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, fostering resilience and reducing stress while deepening connections to oneself and others. With donor support, we can provide free access and reduced pricing as we strive to make these valuable resources accessible to a wider audience.
Strengthen individuals and communities around Minnesota and the world:
- Mindfulness: In Recognition of Mariann Johnson
Remove program participation barriers and support the hiring, retention, and training of quality mindfulness facilitators. - Survivorship Resilience Fund
Invest in Bakken Center survivorship initiatives to deliver essential resources and programs that enhance the quality of life for survivors and their families - Wellbeing Events Fund
Safeguard sustaining free or sliding scale pricing in programming, like the Wellbeing Series and webinars.
Advance the Future of Whole Person Health
Our commitment to integrating academic rigor, cutting-edge research, and community outreach positions us as pioneers in the field of integrative health and wellbeing. Sustainability is not just an ecological concept for us; it is inherent in our mission to bring transformative health practices to the mainstream.
- Center for Spirituality & Healing General Fund
Strengthen the Bakken Center's core functions underlying our transformative learning experiences, pioneering research, and compelling outreach activities.
- Kreitzer Strategic Initiative Fund
Seed and support strategic initiatives identified by the Center director that advance wellbeing and human flourishing.
Ignite Wellbeing with Tibetan Healing
The Tibetan Healing Initiative (THI) is dedicated to healing, fostering happiness, and compassionate care for individuals, communities, and our planet via integrative, holistic health involving Tibetan medicine and Buddhist contemplative science. THI promotes human flourishing through cross-cultural learning, community building, research, and scholarship.
- Tibetan Healing Initiative Legacy (THI) Fund
Supports THI community engagement, academic excellence, student scholarships, and research.- Community Engagement – We are striving to preserve and develop Tibetan culture through intergenerational education programs; forging partnerships for Tibetan medicine curriculum development in the West; contributing to initiatives like the UMN Task Force for Death, Dying, Disposition; and supporting educational resources for the Tibetan community.
- Academic Excellence and Student Scholarships - We aim to offer transformational courses, expand course offerings, and provide scholarships for students.
- Research - We are seeking support to fund pilot projects to generate crucial data for pursuing federal grants.
Championing Arts, Healing & Wellbeing
In an era where the arts and healing movement is gaining unprecedented recognition, we are committed to pioneering research and practices that harness the healing power of the arts. In the dynamic realm of NeuroArts, recent breakthroughs reveal the tangible effects on art in both the brain and body. Research affirms a truth long sensed intuitively – the arts are indispensable in preventing, managing, and recovering from various physical and mental challenges.
Arts, Healing & Wellbeing Fund
Supports Arts, Healing & Wellbeing initiatives to include community engagement, academic excellence and research.
- Community Engagement - Supports initiatives such as "Waking the Oracle" events that ignite healing, and wellbeing through music, dance, storytelling, and dialogue, fostering connections to self, community, and the planet for a positive future.
- Academic Excellence - Bolsters courses such as Music for Wellbeing, Creative Arts in Health and Healing, Music, Health, and Healing, and Healing Imagery to advance academic exploration in the field.
- Research - Provides resources to support pioneering research endeavors, driving innovation and evidence-based practices in the intersection of arts, healing, and wellbeing, ultimately advancing knowledge and understanding in the field.