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Global Wellness Institute (GWI) Announces Non-Profit Status to Focus on Educating Public and Private Sectors on Preventative Health and Wellness

Private educational foundation to inform and connect key stakeholders capable of
impacting overall wellness of the planet and its citizens

Miami, FL – October 26, 2015 – The Global Wellness Institute™ (GWI), an international organization dedicated to positively impacting the future of the $3.4 trillion wellness industry, has officially been granted its 501(c)(3) status from the United States Internal Revenue Service. 

“Our mission is to empower wellness worldwide by facilitating cross-industry collaboration and providing proprietary global research with the ultimate vision of ensuring optimal wellbeing for people everywhere,” said Susie Ellis, Chairman and CEO of the GWI. “Education is paramount to that vision and is the cornerstone of the GWI’s goals and initiatives.”

While the GWI is a private educational foundation and not a public charity, it is nonetheless able to accept financial support (tax deductible) from individuals and organizations interested in furthering the GWI’s work. “In recognition of the milestone of achieving non-profit status, we would like to thank those who have already offered their support to the Global Wellness Institute, from our Ambassadors ($1,000 level contributors) to our first Member level contributor, the Richard P. Woltman Donor Advised Fund at Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, for its $100,000 contribution,” said Ellis. 

“We believe that the GWI has been instrumental in propelling wellness from an industry trend into a global movement. Our research, statistics and information have been downloaded by thousands – from ministers of tourism and development to other government officials to business and corporation leaders, management consultancies and universities,” continued Ellis. 
“Wellness is a passion of mine and at the heart of what is most important for the world and its inhabitants,” said Richard P. Woltman. “I’m grateful to be able to help this excellent organization educate as many private and public stakeholders as possible about how to achieve a future that is free of preventable disease and lifestyle conditions.”  

The Global Wellness Institute has established four foundational pillars to facilitate cross-industry collaboration: 

  1. Research: The GWI produces global statistics for the wellness industry and commissions a comprehensive research project on a topic of relevance and importance to furthering wellness in the world. In addition, the GWI publishes briefing papers by industry leaders throughout the world and curates research from other credible sources, all of which is available for free.   The latest research report, “Wellness at Work,” explores the realities and trends facing today’s changing workplace environment and the role wellness plays in it; initial findings will be presented during the 2015 Global Wellness Summit in Mexico City in November.
  2. Initiatives: To further the international conversation about wellness in its many and varied forms, the GWI supports a growing number of industry initiatives, which are led by renowned thought-leaders. Some current initiatives include Career Development, Clinical Wellness, the Future of Workplace Wellness, Wellness for Cancer and Global Wellness Day. All initiatives and their missions can be found here.
  3. International Roundtables: GWI convenes global roundtables to foster communication and create a forum for conversation about the present state of wellness and to look deeply into the future. The roundtables bring together thought leaders from medicine, science, business, technology, research, media, academia, spa and hospitality, architecture, beauty, finance, fashion and more. 
  4. Wellness Evidence: The GWI launched the first website to provide direct access to current medical evidence for the most mainstream wellness approaches. By providing access to thousands of clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of everything from acupuncture to weight loss, wellnessevidence.com makes it easier for millions of people seeking alternative health solutions or information about the efficacy of various modalities, to research and evaluate information from the most authoritative sources of evidence-based medicine. This groundbreaking website serves the general public and is free.

About the Global Wellness Institute: The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is an international think-tank that brings together leaders and visionaries from private and public sectors to positively impact and shape the future of the wellness industry. The GWI is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the $3.4 trillion wellness industry and is dedicated to empowering wellness worldwide. For more information visit www.globalwellnessinstitute.org.