ABOUT US​

 

MISSION

The MBPF’s mission is to support the integration of mindfulness during the perinatal period to enhance the physical, mental, and relational health of new families — across all orientations, statuses, and identities.

 

The MBPF does this by offering field-leading training and evidence-based resources to perinatal and mental health professionals as well as mindfulness courses delivered directly to new and expectant parents.

 

As home to the renowned Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) program, the MBPF is committed to implementing perinatal mindfulness programs by promoting high-quality training processes, strong ethical guidelines, and rigorous scientific research.

 

VISION

We are dedicated to building a world where flourishing in pregnancy, birth, and family life is accessible to all, and where every family can thrive in dignity and connection.

​

ACTIVITIES

In alignment with the MBPF's values and the MBPF's ethical guidelines, our activities build on our early successes and develop the self-sustaining aspects of our organization in order to support the MBPF mission for decades to come. The MBPF’s work falls into 3 main categories:

 

Education and Community-Integration

Our commitment to this work is grounded in the intention of building a global educational movement of perinatal mindfulness professionals, parents, and supporters. We are dedicated to cultivating greater awareness, equity, kindness, connectedness, and caring worldwide—for the benefit of this generation of families and those to come.

 

Professional Impact

Our intention is to develop, improve, and grow our professional perinatal mindfulness training programs, with a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. We aim to offer the highest quality professional courses possible, meeting and exceeding the existing standards of professionalism and integrity that have been developed for other mindfulness-based training programs (MBPs) throughout the world. In doing so, we envision our work as a catalyst for systemic change—helping health care systems evolve toward more just, person-centered, and compassionate models of perinatal care.  

 

Research Expansion

We support contributions to the research evidence-base that examines the near and long-term impact of perinatal mindfulness programs for expectant parents and their families, and professionals in the field. We continue to enhance our existing relationships with highly regarded research institutions and work to support collaborative exchanges amongst our international research community. Wherever possible, we provide open access to publications, facilitate student research, and award grants in the spirit of scientific transparency and learning. We also engage in a process of adaptation and development of our curriculum as new research findings emerge.

​

- Read the MBPF's DEI Acknowledgment Statement.

 

OUR APPEAL 

​

The MBPF is looking for a diverse group of 5-7 volunteer Board Members to help us transition from a small nonprofit organization (~$225K annual budget; PT contract staff; limited programs) to a mid-sized nonprofit organization ($500K-5M annual budget; PT/FT salaried staff; expanded programs) so we can better reach and serve our constituents across a variety of communities and global regions.

​

After years of service from some of our Founding Members — which have resulted in perinatal mindfulness training for tens of thousands of expectant parents, hundreds of perinatal and mental health professionals in 40+ countries, several national health services, and dozens of research studies over 20+ years — the MBPF now seeks to expand upon the knowledge, connections, skill sets, and backgrounds of those who are represented in our leadership.

​

Our intention is to create a dynamic, well-resourced, and sustainable structure to support perinatal mindfulness programs over the long-term, while also protecting the intimacy, heart, and integrity of the work as was originally envisioned by founder, Nancy Bardacke, CNM, in 1998.

​

It is with great humility and immense gratitude that we ask for your consideration, assistance, and support during this transition. Your nominations will help guide the future of the MBPF and the many generations of families that it will serve.

​​

- Board Commitments:

• ​Monthly - 90-minute Board Meeting (via video conference)

• Annually - Board Retreat​ 

• Annually - Support Commitment (service hours, financial or in-kind donation, or other offerings)

• As Needed - Participation in Subcommittees or Advocacy related to your area(s) of expertise

​

​- Questions? Email us at MBPF@mindfulbirthing.org.

​

 - Please submit your application or nominate your candidate below by 31 July 2026.