The Ojai Foundation creates and supports programs all over the world, from public school classrooms in Los Angeles to culture-shifting council circles in Israel and Africa.  All of these initiatives remain rooted in the Land in Ojai, and all of them share the intention to enrich our relationships with ourselves, others and the world around us.

Our 40-acre center in Ojai continues to inspire, transform and nurture all who visit, hosting over 1,200 students each year along with hundreds of adults.  Earth-friendly features such as our fully solar electrical systems, living roof, straw-bale and cob construction, composting program and Permaculture principles teach our guests to live lightly and to be ever conscious of their footprint.  Volunteers, staff and guests each take a hand in caring for the Land and its facilities.  Over 10,000 hours of volunteer time annually help to sustain The Ojai Foundation.

Over the past year, The Ojai Foundation has played host to Joanna Macy , Malidoma Somé, Starhawk, Hector Aristizabal, Paul Cummins, the annual Gathering of Council Leaders, Gigi Coyle and the Beyond Boundaries pilgrimage and 80 other programs for individuals, schools, nonprofits, social service agencies, corporations and the community.

Our work in building community and fostering meaningful dialogue over the past three years has touched 63 public schools, 15 private schools, four colleges and universities, 18 nonprofits and social service agencies, and two international programs .  For each client, The Ojai Foundation utilizes our 80 highly-trained Youth Team Leaders, Council in Schools consultants, Council Trainers and programming personnel to tailor programs to meet objectives and produce outcomes such as leadership development, team building, communication skills, marking a rite of passage , exploring sustainable living practices, honoring through ceremony or simpy having fun.

The Ojai Foundation's Council in Schools initiative serves over 10,000 students throughout greater Los Angeles in traditional and charter public schools, as well as secular and parochial private schools.  Substantial support from the Herb Alpert Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Furlotti Foundation and the Boeing Corporation's Employee Community Fund allows us to work with under-resourced schools.

The Ojai Foundation stands poised to bring our work to an ever-widening and diverse audience around the world.  Our small, full-time professional staff has worked diligently to streamline operations, trimming over a quarter-million dollars (~20%) from our annual operating budget.  The result is an organization that has effectively weathered the economic challenges of the past year and is prepared to thrive as humanity seeks ways to co-create a more compassionate, sustainable and peaceful world.

Please join our circle!