Parapsychology Foundation Inc.

The Parapsychology Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the scientific investigation and understanding of parapsychological phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. Founded in 1951 by trance medium Eileen J. Garrett and Frances P. Bolton, Ohio's first female representative in Congress, the foundation is headquartered in New York.

Purpose and Activities

The Parapsychology Foundation aims to provide a worldwide forum for the support of scientific exploration of psychic phenomena. It hosts numerous conference series, publishes the International Journal of Parapsychology, and offers grants and scholarships to researchers in the field. The foundation also operates an outreach program designed to foster public understanding of parapsychology. Through its imprint, Helix Press, the organization publishes books on parapsychology-related topics[1][2].

Eileen J. Garrett Library and Archives

Initially, the foundation maintained the Eileen J. Garrett Library, which was located in Greenport, Suffolk County, New York. This extensive collection included over 12,000 volumes and more than 100 periodicals focused on parapsychological topics. The library also held historical documents and research files from prominent parapsychologists. In recent years, the collection was transferred to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where it is now known as the Eileen J. Garrett Parapsychology Foundation Collection[2].

Scholarships and Grants

The foundation offers several financial awards to support students and researchers interested in parapsychology. These include the Frances P. Bolton Fellowships for doctoral students, the Eileen J. Garrett Scholarships for undergraduates, and the Charles T. and Judith A. Tart Student Incentive Awards for graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in parapsychology[4].

Leadership and Financial Status

As of recent data, Lisette Coly, granddaughter of Eileen J. Garrett, serves as the President of the Parapsychology Foundation. The organization's financial activities are reported annually, with its expenses primarily dedicated to charitable disbursements[3]. While it maintains a significant level of assets, the foundation operates with a deficit in certain years[3].

Impact and Legacy

Throughout its history, the Parapsychology Foundation has played a pivotal role in fostering research and public interest in parapsychological phenomena. By supporting students and researchers, it helps ensure the continuation of scientific inquiry in an often misunderstood field. The transfer of its extensive library to UMBC has secured the preservation of a comprehensive resource for future generations of scholars[2].