About the EKR Foundation
The Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspired by the legacy of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the renowned psychiatrist, humanitarian, and hospice pioneer. Founded in 2005 by Dr. Kübler-Ross’ son, Ken Ross, just one year after her passing, the Foundation carries forward her groundbreaking work in hospice care, palliative care, and grief support.
Over the past two decades, the Foundation has expanded globally, with chapters established across four continents. These chapters continue to promote Dr. Kübler-Ross’ mission of transforming how we care for the seriously ill, the dying, and those who are grieving. In 2019, much of Dr. Kübler-Ross’ personal archive was donated to Stanford University, where a digital library will be created to share her work and make her pioneering research accessible to the public.
Dr. Kübler-Ross is best known for her landmark book On Death and Dying, which introduced the world to the Five Stages of Grief. She authored 24 books, translated into 44 languages—including Arabic, Armenian, Bahasa, Farsi, Malayalam, Mongolian, and Urdu—and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. While she’s often referred to as the “death and dying lady” or the “creator of the Five Stages,” Dr. Kübler-Ross herself preferred to be called the “life and living lady,” emphasizing her deep commitment to helping people embrace all of life—both its joys and its losses.
In honoring her legacy, the EKR Foundation continues her work by advancing the acceptance of death as part of the natural human experience and providing compassionate care for those navigating illness, grief, and loss.
Vision: We envision a world where all people and their families can have a dignified life even when approaching death and facing grief; a life where they are supported with compassion while dying and grieving by family, friends, the community, and healthcare providers who embrace all of life, which includes death and loss.
Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to enhance compassionate care for the seriously ill and the dying and to further the acceptance of death as a part of life (and not as a separate event distinct from life) through our work in partnering, supporting, and providing palliative and grief resources and education in compassionate care.
Statement of organizational values: Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
Inclusiveness: We respect people, value diversity and are committed to equality.
Dignity: We consider it important to ensure dignity of the individual in all of life, including end of life and when dying.
Participation: We value and recognize the contribution of everyone within organizations and communities as partners in palliative and end of life care.
Quality: We strive for excellence through continuous improvement.
Openness: We are committed to a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
The Foundation participates in initiatives and collaborates with individuals and/or organizations that:
- Enhance compassionate care for the seriously ill, the dying, and/or the grieving
- Furthers the acceptance of death as a part of life (versus those that see death as a separate event apart from life)
- Enhance end-of-life care for special populations (such as those involved in hospice or palliative care for children, within the prison environment, or those living in remote populations or in developing countries, etc.)
- Improves access to properly prescribed pain management as part of the end of life process
- Enhance communication surrounding all aspects of end of life care and compassionate care of the dying and the grieving (and those that love them)
- Foster awareness of the power of unconditional love and forgiveness as an important component of one’s life journey
- Enhance compassion and understanding of those who are grieving regardless of cause or origin
- Further the wishes of the end of life patient while respecting his or her right to humane treatment and compassionate care
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Our latest tax form 990 has been filed in accordance with federal and Arizona state regulations and is available upon request.