Donating to Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery
Dāna Means Giving
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery (‘Birken’) is supported solely through the ancient tradition of ‘dāna’ (‘generosity’ or ‘giving’), in the form of monetary and material donations, as well as voluntary labour. Generosity is a quality of the heart which the Buddha greatly encouraged for its benefits to the giver in this life and beyond.
Buddhist monks and nuns may not ask for anything directly unless they are clearly invited to do so. Your donations supply everything for the monastery, from food, soap, and stamps, to generator fuel, building costs, and insurance. These gifts enable the monastics to continue their practice in and sharing of the Dhamma, and support resident stewards who offer their services free of charge.
Monthly or quarterly donations are especially appreciated, as the regularity helps to stabilize our financial operations.
Anumodana – we rejoice in your generosity!
Charitable Status: The monastery is a registered Canadian charitable society.
Official Name: “Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery”. Registered Charity No.: BN 89263 5483 RR0001.
Birken Endowment Fund
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery is pleased to announce the establishment of an endowment fund which will allow stable support of the monastery into the future. The endowment fund, which is managed by Nicola Wealth, will allow us to use modest interest earnings as a reliable source of ongoing funding. As in major endowment funds for universities, etc., the capital fund is to remain stable and increase while a certain percentage of earnings is used yearly. We welcome this form of stabilization to the uncertain and non-profit structures which the monastery relies on.
The fund is just one year old and can use your support to sustain it for many years to come. If you, your family, friends, and companies would like to contribute to it for long-term benefits for the monastery, a minimum donation of $5,000 CAD may be contributed to Birken utilizing the CanadaHelps form to your right, or any of the donation methods described below. Please indicate “Birken Endowment Fund” on your donation; tax receipts will be issued by Birken, with the exception of donations made through CanadaHelps and CAF America which provide tax receipts directly to donors.
If you would like to donate securities in-kind to the endowment fund, please contact our treasurer (treasurer@birken.ca) for more information. We also suggest you consult with your financial advisor or tax professional to confirm that it is a good strategy in your financial situation.
Birken Video Production Fund
Ajahn Sona believes the Dhamma should be presented in the finest means possible, both in content and production. To that end Birken endeavours to create the highest quality video and audio productions possible for Ajahn Sona’s YouTube Channel.
If you would like to support this important work into the future, please select our General Giving Fund through CanadaHelps and designate your monetary donation towards “Video Production” in your message. Please consider a sustaining gift by selecting “Donate Monthly” as this type of regular donation will allow us to plan for future production enhancements. Other ways to give can be found at the bottom of this webpage. Your funds will be used for the production equipment and services needed most by our production team. You can also email us for further information.
Many Ways to Give
Donate online to our Endowment Fund or General Giving Fund using your credit card or PayPal through CanadaHelps, or through CAF America for U.S. donors (administrative fees will apply). You can also donate Securities and Mutual Funds, and make a tribute in memory of a loved one through CanadaHelps. Simply click on the corresponding photo below.
Donations by cash, cheque or money order can be made at the monastery or sent by post. You may send money directly to our bank account through a secure Interac e-Transfer (email money transfer) from any Canadian financial institution. See below for more information. It is also possible to make non-monetary donations of material goods or labour.
For more information, please feel free to contact our Offsite Treasurer at treasurer@birken.ca.
Donations at the Monastery
You can make donations by cash, cheque or money order when visiting Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery. Please write all the required information on your donation envelope, and then insert into the Donation Box located in the main foyer. Also see Tax Receipts information below.
Mail a Cheque or Money Order
You may make cheques or money orders payable to ‘Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery‘ and mail to:
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery
7000 Smith Lake Forest Srv Rd.
Knutsford, B.C. V0E 2A0
CANADA
Interac e-Transfers
You may send us an Interac e-Transfer (secure email money transfer) from your Canadian online bank account.
CAF America for US Donors
Now U.S. residents can donate to Birken and receive a U.S. tax receipt. CAF America facilitates donations to foreign charities with an 8% administrative fee (minimum of $80)* through their Donor Advised Gifts (DAGs) program. DAGs enable all types of U.S. donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, to make single donations as desired. (*Administrative fee is deducted from the donation amount sent to Birken, yet CAF America provides donors with a tax receipt for the full amount of all donations.)
Please see their Donor Advised Gifts form for further information. If you would like to donate to Birken through CAF America, just click on the button below.
Tax Receipts
Please note: Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery (‘Birken’) has an Offsite Treasurer who is responsible for processing all donations and issuing tax receipts. If you reside in Canada and would like to request a tax receipt, you must provide your full name, residential address (including postal code), and email address with each donation. Our Treasurer does not have access to Birken’s contact database.
Financial donations to the monastery are tax deductible in Canada and eligible for a Canadian tax receipt.
Learn more about Tax Receipts...
While charities are under no legal obligation to issue tax receipts, we are pleased to do so for a minimum $25.00 donation IF we receive all the required information referenced above for each of your donations. If we do not receive this information from you at the time of your donation, it will be assumed that you do not require a tax receipt.
If you donate electronically through PayPal or Interac email money transfer, please be sure that we have the required information mentioned above – you can email this information to our Offsite Treasurer at treasurer@birken.ca. CanadaHelps and CAF America issue a tax receipt to each donor; you will not receive an additional tax receipt from Birken if you use this donation method.
Tax receipts are normally issued electronically by e-mail, but can be sent by post if this is specifically requested with the donation. Tax receipts for eligible donations will be sent within 30 days of the donation’s receipt by our treasurer. Please note that we cannot issue tax receipts retroactively for donations made during previous fiscal years (Birken’s fiscal year runs from August 1 – July 31).
Throughout the year, there are many individuals who donate anonymously or request not to receive tax receipts for their donations. The Birken community expresses its gratitude to these individuals for their generosity and rejoices in their good merit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the issuance of tax receipts, please email treasurer@birken.ca.
Anumodana to our many supporters – we rejoice in your generosity and great merit!
treasurer@birken.ca
Support the Monastery
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery is a registered Canadian charitable society and is supported entirely by donations or ‘dāna’ (generosity). All teachings, accommodations, and meals are offered free of charge. It is left to the good will and discretion of visitors and well-wishers to decide how they might support the work of the monastery.
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Mailing Address:
Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery
7000 Smith Lake Forest Srv Rd.
Knutsford, BC | V0E 2A0 | Canada