
Moving Forward Within Impermanence
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, David shares how he came to the Dharma:
“I took refuge after my life fell apart in the 1980’s. When I was about thirty, a large number of friends started dying of AIDS — many covered with skin lesions called Kaposi’s sarcoma or struggling to breathe because of Pneumocystis pneumonia. As they died horrific deaths, my friends and I held their hands. There could be two or three funerals over the span of a few weeks. We thought that we would all die of this plague. We feared infecting others. Doctors told my partner, Larry, he had one year to live.
Nothing in my life had prepared me for what I saw and felt. I had a spiritual crisis leaving me fundamentally questioning my worldview. We gave up the assumption that we could predict or control outcomes. Buddhism gave me the courage to move forward within impermanence. We struggled to open ourselves to experience what was happening without shutting down or fleeing. Larry survives.
As I look around the world today, there is no shortage of similar suffering. There is war, hatred, divisiveness, fear, and confusion. The lives of wonderful people can be torn when they lose a child, get a divorce, struggle with disease, experience disability, lose a home, lose a job, or face a similar catastrophe.
I am convinced that the authentic, time tested, and effective Buddhist teachings can help each of us find peace happiness, and freedom. Therefore, I want to help make these teachings available to each person who walks through KCC’s doors. I ask you to join me in doing what we can to provide the money and volunteer work necessary to support KCC.”
Week 2 Update
We are off to a great start!
- KCC has FIVE new Sustaining Supporters.
- FIVE current Sustaining Supporters have increased their giving.
- This is an additional $4976 in annual support for KCC.
We’re halfway to attaining the full $10,000 matching offer from a generous sangha member!
We are grateful for the commitment you’ve made.
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. To continue thriving, there is a need to increase employee compensation.
What are KCC’s current sources of income? The chart below shows that KCC’s financial foundation is made up of contributions or donations.
Income from outside groups using SCOL was a new piece of the revenue pie in 2024. Outside group use of the Portland Center and SCOL has helped KCC cover growing expenses.
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 .