The Nonprofit Partner Program is an outreach program of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. Each year since 2004 twelve nonprofit partners have been selected from nominations submitted by individuals in our spiritual community who are either associated with a nonprofit or have benefited from its services. Nonprofits may not nominate themselves. Nominations are received in the fall of each year.
A committee meets to review the nominations, vet them to make sure they have a nonprofit tax ID number, and to ensure that the mission of the nonprofit is harmonious with the values and teachings of the Center. From the nominations, twelve are selected, and each nonprofit is assigned a month of the year. During their assigned month, representatives of the nonprofit are invited to make a two-minute presentation at all three of our Sunday morning services, and also to staff a table in our Social Hall with information about their work and volunteer opportunities.
Each month, the Center for Spiritual Living sends a check to each of our 12 nonprofit partners. One-quarter of our annual 10% tithe money is set aside for our Nonprofit Partner Program.
The benefits of the program include connecting the individual givers of our community with programs in the world that resonate with our Center’s teaching, as well as continuing education for our community about ongoing good work being done in the world, and the opportunities to volunteer for these organizations. Rather than duplicate the work already conducted by these organizations, we align ourselves with them and support their efforts in the world.
The Nonprofit Program selection process is not compelled by need, but by resonance with the teaching of our Center. In other words, we do not select organizations because they are underfunded, but because they are doing work in the world that leads to individual empowerment, expressions of compassion, sharing of resources where needed, the support of art and aesthetics, as well as other ideals expressed in the Global Vision of Centers for Spiritual Living.
Our nonprofit partners become a second family to us. We are connected spiritually with others who are doing good work in the world. We are truly living our principle of circulation and know this when our partners testify to the work they do as a result of our contributions. We are deeply grateful to our wonderful community for supporting our center and these wonderful organizations.
ALQUIMIA PERU, assisting participants to reach their full potential both in daily life and in business through the learning and application of the principles of Science of Mind. Nominated by Giving Intention Team. www.alquimia.edu.pe
CHOPS TEEN CLUB, a modern facility open to all Sonoma County 7th – 12th grade students after school and on weekends, providing a safe, fun, and productive place for teens to engage, connect, and discover their true potential. Nominated by Kevin Hutchinson. www.chopsteenclub.org
COTS 572 LIVES, a new COTS program with the goal, over the next three years, to re-house 572 people impacted by the North Bay Fires. Nominated by Giving Intention Team. www.cots.org
DAILY ACTS, transforming communities through inspired action and education, building leadership and local self-reliance, with the core belief that every choice you make matters. Nominated by Teri Moon. www.dailyacts.org
DOGWOOD ANIMAL RESCUE PROJECT, supporting animals and the people who love them through rescue, re-homing, spay/neuter, and education. Nominated by Chandra Farnsworth. www.dogwoodanimalrescue.org
JAYC FOUNDATION, serving families that have suffered a familial or non-familial abduction or other trauma, encouraging various entities to provide protected spaces for families to heal. Nominated by Stephen Hann. www.thejaycfoundation.org
POSITIVE IMAGES, roviding support and advocacy to Sonoma County’s gay. lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, and intersex youth and young adults ages 12-24. Nominated by Alicia Carroll. www.posimages.org
SANTA ROSA SYMPHONY YOUTH PROGRAM, specific program to be announced. Nominated by Valerie Marshall. www.srsymphony.org
SHARE SONOMA COUNTY, matching individuals needing housing with a senior who otherwise would have been unable to remain in his or her home due to expenses or personal support needed. Nominated by Teri Ward. www.sharesonomacounty.org
SHASTA REGIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FIRE RELIEF FUND, receiving donations for those in Northern California impacted by the Carr Fire. Nominated by Tara Steele. www.shastacf.org
SONOMA FOOD RUNNERS, sharing excess food with those in need by collecting quality, donated perishable and prepared foods that would otherwise be discarded. Nominated by Macy McFarland. www.sonomafoodrunners.org
SONOMA LAND TRUST, conserving scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land for the future of Sonoma County. Nominated by Shannon Nichols. www.sonomalandtrust.org