Our Approach: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Action
The Gruben Charitable Foundation operates on four core principles, each rooted in over a century of family exploration into consciousness and healing.
LAWS OF NATURE
The Body's Inherent Wisdom
In the early 1900s, Morton Prince shocked the medical world by proving that the mind could heal what pharmaceuticals couldn't touch. His therapeutic approaches showed that the body has an inherent capacity for healing when we work with its natural processes rather than against them.
Today, we champion this same wisdom through lifestyle medicine principles. We support evidence-based lifestyle interventions - whole-food nutrition, regular movement, quality sleep, stress management, avoiding harmful substances, and positive social connections.
How We Apply This: Our funding prioritizes initiatives that teach people to harness their body's natural healing power through conscious lifestyle choices and holistic wellness practices.
Example Projects: Community gardens that provide fresh food access, fitness programs that make movement joyful, and stress-reduction workshops that teach practical techniques.
COMPASSION
Empowerment Over Enabling
Morton Prince didn't just treat symptoms - he helped people discover their own capacity for recovery and growth. He understood that true healing comes when we empower others to find their inner strength.
This wisdom guides our approach to compassion today. We practice discerning compassion that empowers rather than enables, supporting organizations that guide individuals toward self-discovery and personal growth.
How We Apply This: Our resources flow to initiatives that help people develop inner strength and resilience while maintaining healthy boundaries. We believe true compassion means helping others find their own capacity for healing and transformation.
Example Projects: Life coaching programs, addiction recovery support that focuses on inner transformation, and mentorship initiatives that build self-reliance.
HARMONY AND DEPTH
The Whole Person Awakened
Charles Sanders Peirce explored how consciousness shapes reality, while William James studied how spiritual experience transforms everyday life. Their insights showed that true change happens when mind, body, spirit, and community work together.
We embrace the interconnected web of human expression and community engagement as pathways to transformation. Through nature immersion, movement arts, creative expression, and community building, we support initiatives that awaken the whole person.
How We Apply This: Our funding flows to projects that foster deep personal change, expand consciousness, and weave strong community bonds through arts, nature, movement, and creative expression.
Example Projects: Community art installations, dance and martial arts programs, nature immersion experiences, and creative workshops that build connections.
SERVICE
The Foundation
of All Our Work
Frederick Henry Prince approached philanthropy with care for community and a desire to be useful. His spirit of service established the foundation for everything we do today.
We embody this same approach, recognizing that philanthropy flows from a spirit of giving rather than getting. Our team approaches every partnership and initiative with humility, dedication, and a commitment to amplifying the impact of those we support.
How We Apply This: When service becomes our driving force, collaboration deepens, trust grows, and our collective ability to create positive change multiplies exponentially.
Example Projects: We support initiatives that encourage residents to serve others through volunteer opportunities, community leadership development, and educational programs that build empathy and connection.
The Integration: How Our Principles Work Together
These four principles don't operate in isolation - they create a unified approach to transformation:
Laws of Nature provides the foundation of health and vitality
Compassion guides how we relate to ourselves and others
Harmony and Depth creates wholeness and connection
Service channels our growth into meaningful contribution
Together, they create the conditions for inner transformation that radiates outward, healing individuals, families, and communities.