Updated 7/26/2020
Wow, in just a little over one week we have almost reached our goal of matching the $15,000 challenge pledge! Our wonderful, generous supporters have donated $13,015 so far! Only $1,985 to go!
We are excited to tell you that Sacramento Dharma Center now sports a new shingled roof and we are just $15,000 away from reaching the $45,000 total cost of a rooftop solar energy system. Your donation in any amount will help us over the finish line.
We launched our Campaign to make the Center carbon-neutral at the end of February – a time that now seems ages ago. Since then we’ve had to close our doors and alter our lives and practice in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
Despite the pandemic, we’ve continued to work on our roof/solar project. The Center now sports a new roof surfaced with energy efficient “cool roof” shingles, and we are well on our way to our goal of installing solar panels.
With your help, we are quite optimistic that we can have a center powered by clean energy from our own roof in the coming year!
Almost There!
An anonymous donor has stepped forward and pledged to match donations dollar for dollar up to a total of $15,000! With matching, any donation you make—$50, $100, $1,000, or any amount—will be doubled until we reach our final $15,000 goal.
Cost to Install Solar
$45,000
Source of Funds
$10,455 current balance of Roof/Solar Fund
$5,000 from Dharma Center funds
$15,000 your donations!
$15,000 matching pledge
Equals Success
$45,455
If you have ever considered donating money for solar, now is the time! We have already obtained bids from solar contractors and are ready to go as soon as we raise the remaining $15,000. We hope to raise this amount by the end of August so that we can install solar in the fall.
Why Now?
We understand that this is a difficult time to be asking for donations. Many have lost employment, face reduced income, or have family members who may need help. For those who are able to donate, we ask you to consider that:
If we act this year instead of waiting until 2021, we will save considerably more money. In 2021, SMUD intends to revise its rates to make solar less lucrative for SMUD customers, but solar systems installed in 2020 should be grandfathered in under the current, more favorable rates. In addition, the federal solar tax credit for commercial solar installations will fall from 26% in 2020 to 22% in 2021.
And as soon as our system begins generating electricity, we should save an average of $272 per month on our electricity bill, or $3,266 per year. A detailed discussion of our cost savings from solar can be found in a memo on our website (linked to here) that was prepared for the Dharma Center Board by our volunteer building manager Bob Jenne. Please take a look; you will be impressed. If you have any questions about solar, please email Bob bjenne@sbcglobal.net
How to Donate
You can donate here on our website at the link below or mail a check. Please indicate that the donation is for solar.
Or mail checks, made out to Sacramento Dharma Center
3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, 95826, attention, Linda Dekker
This summer is a pivotal moment. With your help, when we are able to come together again in our own building, we hope to be able to look up and see that we are powered by the sun.
Can you help our “Small Temple”?
“If you wash one dish in mindfulness, if you build one small temple while dwelling deeply in the present moment – not wanting to be anywhere else, not caring about fame or recognition – the merit from that act will be boundless, and you will feel very happy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
If you are able to contribute, whatever the amount, small or larger, it is a reminder that together we are creating something good in our community and helping the climate!
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