General Info

The founder of the Fetzer Institute, John Earl Fetzer, was familiar with the call of the sacred within the secular. Trained as an electrical engineer, John E. Fetzer began his career in 1931 by designing, building and operating his own radio station that he then expanded into a Michigan-based, multi-state broadcasting empire including radio, television, cable and closed-circuit music transmission. As a private operating foundation, the Fetzer Institute uses the bulk of its income to actively run its own programs or services. The institute does not accept unsolicited proposals, but occasionally offers fellowships requests for proposals and awards that are open for application. It convenes working groups to discern areas of future activity. It then invests in the wisdom and the questions that emerge from these dialogues. Institute meetings include dialogue, inquiry, reflection and contemplation as well as attention to measurable outcomes. This approach enhances traditional models, transforming individuals, organizations and communities.