ABOUT THE GRUBEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Since 2008, the Gruben Charitable Foundation has invested in inner transformation as the path to community healing. Established by Diana Oehrli with an $11 million endowment from her great-great-grandparents, we've disbursed $9.35 million in grants supporting consciousness and personal growth on Aquidneck Island.
Why Inner Growth?
Despite rising prosperity, suffering persists on our island - externally through poverty, crime, and pollution, and internally through disconnection and unfulfillment. Most nonprofits address external problems but miss the internal sources.
We believe inner growth radiates outward. As individuals develop self-awareness and purpose, compassion and empowerment ripple into families, organizations, and communities.
Diana's Journey
Diana's vision emerged from witnessing transformation in her Swiss Alps and Newport communities. She saw people healing from addiction and trauma, turning from crime to service. Through her own healing journey, she discovered that compassion, service, consciousness, and harmony with nature create lasting change.
Her awakening in Gruben, Switzerland—the valley that inspired philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti for 25 years—connected her to both place and purpose. But this wasn't coincidence. Diana's calling builds on over a century of family exploration into consciousness and healing.
Our Team
Advisors: Yanti Amos, David Hatch, David Shiang
The Legacy Continues
Our work represents the natural evolution of a remarkable family tradition - channeling inherited wisdom about consciousness into philanthropy that recognizes inner transformation as the foundation for all meaningful change.