
“Instead, I took up golf.”
There are many ways to support KCC. Over the next 7-weeks, KCC community members will share a facet of their Dharma experience that inspires them to support KCC with a recurring financial contribution.
This week, Brad U, a KCC Board Member who lives in Corvallis, shares how meeting Lama Eric catalyzed his Dharma practice:
Sustaining Supporter Campaign Update
Thanks to your generosity, we’ve met our initial goal of $10,000 in new or increased annual sustaining gifts. We unlocked a full matching donation—doubling the impact to $20,000. This support came from just 21 donors.
Now, with ten-days remaining in our drive,
we’re reaching for a new goal:
👉 $12,000 in additional annual sustaining support.
Why this new goal?
A recent salary review revealed that our Portland staff earn, on average, 32% below a thriving wage. Our current 2025 budget is just under $400,000—over half of which goes to staff wages and benefits for 4 full-time and 1 part-time employee. Doing the math, KCC’s employee compensation falls short.
This compensation shortfall has historical roots and the board feels that, if unaddressed, this pay gap will be a serious obstacle to retaining and attracting the staff we depend on to fulfill our larger mission of offering the Dharma freely. Meeting this new $12K goal would allow the KCC Board to include a cost of living increase (typically 3.5%) in 2026 and take a step towards closing the wage gap.
So far in this campaign, we have reached 12 new sustaining members (meeting another goal!) and 18 people have increased their support. The amounts vary widely – and each gift is deeply appreciated. Each Sunday, there are 50-80 people online or at the Portland Center. If we each deepen our commitment to KCC, in whatever way we can, we will help KCC continue to freely offer the riches of the Dharma.
To customize your giving schedule or amount,
contact:
KCC is committed to freely offering the Dharma to all.
To do so, we invite those with greater financial capacity to give a higher percentage of their income to balance the giving of others who can give less. For consideration:
If your income is $100K per year:
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- a pledge of 5% of your income would be $416/mo.
- a pledge of 3% of your income would be $250/mo.
If your income is $75K per year,
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- a pledge of 2% of your income would be $125/mo.
If your income is $30K per year,
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- a pledge of 1% of your income would be $25/mo.
To customize your giving, contact:
Dharma of Dollars
The transformative teachings, practices, and connections fostered at KCC are only possible with community support. At KCC, we are deeply grateful for our robust community of sustaining supporters and we strive to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
As KCC grows, ages, and changes – so too must our basic expenses. Much like us, KCC’s buildings and infrastructure have experienced the effects of time and nature. From the wear and tear caused by sun, snow, squirrels, wind, and ice, the buildings at SCOL need repainting and other repairs. Our Portland Center will soon require a new roof and siding. To continue thriving, there is a need to increase employee compensation.
This year, KCC’s staff, Board, and volunteers are developing a financial sustainability plan. This plan will establish long-term financial goals and strategies to increase and diversify revenue, incorporate fair compensation for our staff, and cover the costs of maintaining the facilities that make KCC a welcoming place for practice and retreat.
This is where we need your support. As we embark on this journey of sustainability, community contributions will allow KCC to continue to offer the Dharma to the practitioners of today and tomorrow.
Other Ways to Support KCC
KCC’s Benevolence Fund
If offering money is not possible for you in your current place in life, remember that you can turn to KCC for basic life support via a one-time request from KCC’s Benevolence Fund. Sangha members give to this fund because we know none of us are unaffected when some of us are struggling. To learn more, contact .
