GIVING at The
Atlanta Soto Zen Center
Giving, Tithing, Financial Donations, Pledging — there, we’ve said
it! Now maybe we can relax and talk about the real-world need of
financial support for the center. The topic of money is always a very
difficult one to talk about, but it’s vitally important that we discuss
money, especially in relation to our support for the Atlanta Soto Zen
Center.
Giving is one of the most visible acts of support that most of us will
ever perform. We can give of our time and our expertise, but oftentimes
it is simple monetary giving that keeps the Zen Center moving. At ASZC
we try not to look at Dana as an obligation put upon the members, but
instead as an opportunity for the members to help the center reach its
goals.
So, please read this with an open mind and an open heart. The
leadership of the center welcomes your comments about both this
information and the programs that we offer. You may be the source of
the next inspired idea about how you or someone else might experience
the joy of Zen practice.
Buddhist Patrons
The largest “drive” for financial commitment is the new annual Buddhist Patrons Program. The idea behind this drive is simple. Take the time to consider what gifts we have received from the center. There is no limit to what those gifts might be and each of us has his or her own tally. Then consider the source of those gifts and what personal need we have to return some portion of those gifts to the work done by the center. Your generosity will form the basis of the coming years budget for the center, as we gather everyone’s commitments and use those to continue our programs at ASZC.
How Much to Give?
You won’t find an easy answer to that one here. Of course, this is a
very personal decision— one that we encourage you to make a matter of
serious consideration. But many people have found the following chart
to be helpful. It is a quick guide to converting a “percentage of
income” target into periodic gifts.
| Percentage of Annual Income |
||||||||
| Annual Income |
2% |
4% |
6% |
8% |
||||
| Weekly |
Monthly | Weekly |
Monthly | Weekly |
Monthly | Weekly |
Monthly | |
| $5,000.00 | $1.92 | $8.33 | $3.85 | $16.67 | $5.77 | $25.00 | $7.69 | $33.33 |
| $10,000.00 | $3.85 | $16.67 | $7.69 | $33.33 | $11.54 | $50.00 | $15.38 | $66.67 |
| $25,000.00 | $9.62 | $41.67 | $19.23 | $83.33 | $28.85 | $125.00 | $38.46 | $166.67 |
| $50,000.00 | $19.23 | $83.33 | $38.46 | $166.67 | $57.69 | $250.00 | $76.92 | $333.33 |
| $75,000.00 | $28.85 | $125.00 | $57.69 | $250.00 | $86.54 | $375.00 | $115.38 | $500.00 |
| $100,000.00 | $38.46 | $166.67 | $76.92 | $333.33 | $115.38 | $500.00 | $153.85 | $666.67 |
Employer Matching Grants
Many employers offer a “Matching Gift Program” to their employees. These programs are the employer’s way of reaching out to local non-profit organizations such as ours, to help at a level they could not have without their employees’ direction and input. If your employer offers a “Matching Gift Program” and you as an employee make a donation to an accredited non-profit organization such as ASZC, your company may match your gift. It’s that simple. Your gift can go twice as far by enrolling in your company’s matching gift program. You need to check with your employer to see if they participate in a Matching Gift Program, but many companies do so why not check it out?
Automated and Electronic Giving
Most banks offer a way to send out a payment on a regular schedule.
Once this is set up, your bank will automatically draft a check to ASZC
every month and mail it to the center. If you bank online, this should
be an easy setup. Electronic giving helps us maintain continuous
income, even during the summer months when giving is usually down. You
can also setup a "subscription" using PayPal by clicking here.
Atlanta Soto Zen Center
PO Box 133241
Atlanta GA 30333-3241
Planned Giving
Planned giving is a means of “leaving a legacy”. We shouldn’t think only of our income as a source for giving as we may have more to give than we think we do. Many of us have accumulated assets that can be the source of a significant gift to the Zendo. Planned gifts, which are given out of accumulated assets, may provide a solution for you if you feel you have limited income or are concerned about retaining current income. A gift to ASZC can be given not just through your income but through wills and bequests, gift annuities, life insurance, property, securities, stock and charitable remainder trusts. A gift such as this can provide you with significant tax advantages and other estate planning benefits.
The most significant difference between “planned” and other types of
gifts is that a planned gift provides a future value to the Zen Center
rather than an immediate value (such as an outright gift of cash or
securities). A planned gift is a living testimony to a vital practice.
The testimony of the planned gift is vitally needed in most Centers.
The person who gives a planned gift is one who genuinely believes that
the Zendo will “be there” for future generations.
Financial Status
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center is a registered 501(c)3 corporation. All
donations are tax deductible (purchases and retreat fees are not). Tax
deductible donations should be made solely to the ASZC - donations to
individuals are not permitted by the IRS. Please consult with your tax
advisor.
Do It Now!
You may also contact us by email with any questions, or to make a one time donation. Thank you for your support.