The Quaker Institute for the Future

The Institute

We seek to develop an institute that can carry on Friends' experiments with Truth in the context of research work that will provide the foundations for the applications of our testimonies undertaken by AFSC, FCNL and other Quaker bodies and meetings.

In our modern age, the function of research is a basic foundation of the social order. We believe that Friends are called to help generate knowledge, wisdom and systematic insight that can inform public policy in ways that will enable us all to live more fully in virtue of that life and power that leads us to treat all humans and all of the Earth as a manifestation of the Divine.

We believe, further, that Friends are called to do this in institutions that are governed by Quaker practices of communal discernment. And we believe, further, that Friends are called to explore the development of research methods themselves which are spirit-led and that provide a way of living out, in the realm of research, our calling to be Friends of the Truth who are guided in that activity by that power and Presence that, in Fox's words, has come to "teach his people himself".

To further work along these lines we aim at the development of a geographically located community of researchers and staff as well as a network of affiliated research associates. These researchers will write monographs and presentations in other media. They will organize workshops and conferences to synthesize and promulgate research and, when appropriate, undertake original research.

One current major initiative is a collaborative research project  on the theme of  "Towards a Moral Economy" which has resulted  in a book,  Right Relationship: Building a Whole Earth Economy, which will be published in early 2009 by Berret-Koehler Publishers.

A second major initiative is the series of Summer Research Seminars which were held in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

A third major initiative is the Circles of  Discernment study groups which are organizing at region levels for extended exploration of issues of concern to Quaker Meetings.

Our charter document provides an overview of the organization which grew out of leadings shared in a message from the June, 2003 gathering at Pendle Hill for a Consultation on Economics and Ecology.

The Quaker Institute for the Future is a non-profit, 501C3 organization incorporated in California whose by-laws were amended and approved at the first meeting of the board members in August, 2004.

We are grateful for receiving the support of a grant from the Shoemaker fund as well as other private generous donations to proceed with key goals of the institute. Contributions to The Quaker Institute for the Future may be submitted electronically using the DONATE button on the right on our home page or mailed to:
Tom Head, QIF Treasurer
14409 S.W. Barrows Road
Beaverton, Oregon 97007-6140

QIF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and contributions are deductible under section 170 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code.