Annual Appeal
SUPPORT YOUR CENTER
Dear New York Insight Community Members,
It was the evening of December 5, 1997. I pulled our “Buddha buggy” —a little cart holding a Buddha statue, meditation bell, flyers, and other supplies—through wet streets in Midtown Manhattan. I was headed to a book store on 52nd Street, where we had rented space for our very first NY Insight gathering. The donations we received that evening were barely enough to cover the rental fee, but NY Insight was now a reality. When the sitting was over, I packed up the Buddha buggy again to prepare for our next gathering in a different location.
“We had no Center. We only had a telephone, a notebook, and a handful of volunteers. We met in gyms, yoga studios, churches, and schools. It was a struggle.” – N.G. (long term volunteer)
The new NYI Center changed everything. In 2004, our Chelsea location was discovered and with the generous support of the NYI community, our first month’s rent, security deposit and construction expenses were secured. Now, NYI’s doors were opened wide to everyone and our community began to thrive.
“The new Center was opened and dedicated to the community we had established during the early years as well as to a growing and diverse constituency that reflected the city right at our doorstep.”
–J.P. (current member)
Thankfully, through the continued generosity of our community members, our doors have stayed
open. This year, NYI teachers and practice leaders offered over 300 evening sittings and more than
100 retreats, courses and classes.
“The Center is an Oasis! I love having the opportunity to sit in such a calm, beautiful space with sun
streaming through those wonderful windows.” – L.G. (new member)
We need your help to keep the Center open and thriving. Our Center has 2700 square feet of space and our annual rental costs are $70,000, or about $25 per square foot. This is our largest single expense and represents about one third of NYI’s total costs. Your contribution of $150 will cover the cost of 6 square feet, the space used by one person in sitting meditation. Standing meditation requires 3 square feet and can be covered by a $75 donation.
If NYI is important to you, SUPPORT YOUR CENTER by covering the amount of square footage you would like to fund. Donate now and help us reach our goal of $70,000 by year end.
The importance of having our Center is clear. NYI provides a peaceful refuge, open to all, in the heart of the city. By helping support your Center in this concrete way, each of us will feel more connected. Please choose the amount of space you would like to fund from the choices below.
No one wants to go back to the “Buddha buggy”.
With deep gratitude for your practice and generosity,
Joseph Schmidt
Executive Director
SUPPORT YOUR CENTER — PLEASE ACCEPT MY ANNUAL APPEAL CONTRIBUTION TO HELP FUND NYI’s RENT EXPENSE. Click on an amount below to make an Online contribution.
Amount: Pays For:
❐ $25 —1 sq. ft. of space
❐ $75 —3 sq. ft. of space (enough for standing meditation)
❐ $150 ($12.50 monthly) —6 sq. ft. of space (enough for sitting meditation)
❐ $300 ($25 monthly) —12 sq. ft. of space (enough for you and a friend to sit and meditate)
❐ $600 ($50 monthly) —24 sq. ft. of space (enough for a small Dharma discussion)
❐ $1200 ($100 monthly) —48 sq. ft. of space (enough for a community program meeting)
To make Monthly Contributions and/or to contribute by mail, please download this Form:
Fill it out and send it to New York Insight, 28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
Please note that New York Insight is a not-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations made to NYI are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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