Impact Funders
Why DIRI - The Case for a Rolfing ™ Education
The Case for Why "Impactful Philanthropy Initiatives" will Succeed at DIRI
The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute (DIRI) is a leader in the Structural Integration field. Its graduates make up about 70 percent of the practicing field. The school publishes the only journal in the field: Structural Integration: The Journal. Dr. Ida Rolf pioneered the field and founded the school back in 1971. DIRI has a 50 year track record of educating and certifying Rolfers in Structural Integration and Movement Integration.
Dr Ida Rolf Institute is an international school headquartered in Boulder, CO, with international offices in Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Canada. The US program is accredited by The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). The school owns several ?? patents and trademarks establishing their authority and pioneering role in the field.
Community Outreach
Structural Integration is part of the field that is a fast-growing and exciting part of alternative health and integrative medicine today. Fascia, the connective tissue of the body, is a key focus of research from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and many other institutions. The First International Fascia Research Congress was held in 2007.
The unique approach of structural integration lies in its ability to offer a comprehensive approach to health and well-being that addresses both physical and emotional aspects of the human experience. By emphasizing holistic healing, improved body function, and personalized care, these practices appeal to individuals seeking long-term solutions for their health and wellness concerns. As one Rolfer, Russell Stolzhof Says, “Rarely will you work on someone for 15 hours in other modalities and completely change their lives."Looking back, the Rolf Institute has trained the best in the business, including people who've found success with their own schools and training."
Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve wellbeing around the world. The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute not only provides the only certified coursework in Rolfing Structural Integration, it also leads research in the field. [more details]
Somatic Movement integration is the important partner to the 10-series structural series. The core benefit of somatic therapy in general, Rolf Movemet Integration in this case, "is its potential to resolve trauma and mitigate stress. During a traumatic event, the body's defense system often becomes dysregulated. If the body doesn't return to its pre-trauma state, the individual may experience a host of stress-related symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, chronic fatigue, and insomnia. Somatic Movement Integration helps reestablish the body’s equilibrium by guiding individuals to move through their body's instinctual fight, flight, or freeze responses. This can lead to a significant reduction in the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related conditions. " [Source: Forbes, Potential Increase in Somatic Therapy]
Large-scale surveys estimate that between 50 million and 100 million Americans suffer
from chronic pain that
negatively impacts their life. For example, in the case of back pain—the most common
type of chronic pain,
experienced by up to 80% of Americans at some point in their lives—it’s estimated that
97% of cases are
mechanical in nature. That means that the pain is a result of abnormal stresses placed
on the spine, its
supporting structure, or the muscles and connective tissues of the back. This huge
percentage of back pain
cases could be prevented and alleviated with somatic therapies such as Rolfing Movement
Integration.
The core of this issue is that the medical community does not know how to address the
underlying cause of
most chronic musculoskeletal pain. And sadly, two of the most common pain
treatments—medication and
surgery—are expensive, can lead to other health problems, and don’t actually address the
cause of the pain.
So if you think that Rolfing Structural Integration and somatic Movement Integration are
capable of changing
the world is an overstatement, think again. The global burden of pain is immense, and
being able to prevent
and relieve much of this pain naturally and economically will have a huge impact on
healthcare costs, the
opioid epidemic, the quality of our lives, and even our lifespans. [Source: Somatic
Movement Center, https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/somatic-therapy-research]
Just read the testimonials that come from those who have been Rolfed … link to rolfers for now, testimonial down the road. The potential for Rolfing to transform lives, and in turn to improve society at large, has been proven over 50 years.
what criteria do philanthropy advisors use when evaluating organizations for high net worth donors
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Philanthropy advisors typically employ a range of criteria when evaluating organizations for high-net-worth donors. While the specific criteria may vary slightly between advisors and organizations, they generally focus on several key factors:
- Mission Alignment: Donors often seek organizations whose mission aligns closely with their own philanthropic interests and values. Advisors assess how well an organization's mission and goals align with those of the donor.
- Impact: High-net-worth donors are often interested in supporting organizations that can demonstrate a tangible and significant impact in their respective fields. Advisors evaluate an organization's track record and evidence of effectiveness in achieving its stated goals.
- Financial Health and Transparency: Donors want to ensure that their contributions are being used effectively and responsibly. Advisors assess an organization's financial health, including its revenue sources, expenses, and financial management practices. Transparency regarding finances and operations is also crucial.
- Leadership and Governance: Strong leadership and effective governance are essential for the success and sustainability of an organization. Advisors evaluate the leadership team's qualifications, experience, and track record, as well as the organization's governance structure and practices.
- Innovation and Scalability: Donors may be attracted to organizations that demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing social or environmental challenges and have the potential to scale their impact. Advisors assess the organization's capacity for innovation and scalability.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration with other organizations, stakeholders, and communities can enhance an organization's effectiveness and reach. Advisors evaluate the organization's ability to collaborate effectively and leverage partnerships for greater impact.
- Measurable Outcomes and Evaluation: Donors increasingly expect organizations to measure and evaluate their outcomes rigorously. Advisors assess the organization's capacity for collecting data, measuring outcomes, and evaluating impact, including the use of evidence-based practices and methodologies.
- Sustainability and Long-Term Viability: Donors want to support organizations that are sustainable and have a clear strategy for long-term viability. Advisors evaluate factors such as diversification of funding sources, strategic planning, and risk management.