Rooted in the Dharma: Creating the Future Together
This year, we have launched SIM’s Five-Year Plan – a series of transformative efforts to guide SIM through the next five years. It embodies a dynamic vision of the future where SIM remains grounded in the Dharma and evolving to meet the needs of our sangha for future generations.
Through this plan, we will • Expand our core faculty by integrating Diana Clark, Walt Opie, and Vance Pryor as Dharma leaders. • Offer deeper practice opportunities with a diversity of topics and perspectives, including coordinated Dharma talks, and spring and fall courses. • Introduce three-day in-person teaching events led by each faculty member four times per year. • Continue popular courses like A Year to Live, Beginning Meditation Course, as well as adding new offerings. • Support faculty integration through collaborative meetings for mutual growth and leadership development. • Create continuity as our core faculty —Dennis Warren, Diane Wilde, and Rich Howard—begin to step back, passing the torch to our next generation of teachers and leaders. • Sustain the administrative and technical support needed to assist the Board and Faculty.
Our Path Forward
The Five-Year Plan is a bold and inspiring vision for SIM’s future—and it comes with additional costs to bring it to life. A central part of this plan is supporting our three new teachers with modest annual stipends totaling $33,000. We’ve also expanded our administrative capacity by hiring a part-time Operations Manager to help support our Board and Faculty and sustain our programs.
While we’ve taken meaningful steps to reduce costs and increase revenue, it is essential that we raise additional funds to stay on this path. To meet this need, we are launching a pledge campaign to raise $165,000 over the next five years. This is a special commitment—above and beyond your current donations—that will allow SIM to meet immediate needs, ensure long-term financial stability, and rebuild our reserves.
For the past 22 years, SIM has been a place of deep practice—rooted in the Dharma, guided by dedicated teachers, and sustained by the strength of our community. Together, we can ensure that SIM continues to thrive as a refuge for wisdom, in-depth practice, and spiritual friendship.
We invite you to join us in supporting this vision by making a pledge to the Five-Year Plan.
Thank you for your generosity and your ongoing commitment to the Dharma!
With deep gratitude,
Amy Kovak
SIM Board President on behalf of the SIM Board and Faculty
Scroll down this page to view the Frequently Asked Question section.
To view a status update about this campaign, click here.
To Make a Pledge
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m concerned that the new teachers are not local and will only be teaching on Zoom.
Almost from SIM’s inception, we’ve had the unusual good fortune of having three local teachers. This is the exception to the rule for nearly all mid-level meditation communities in California who are peer lead or rely on visiting teachers. Our three new faculty – Diana, Walt, and Vance – will collectively teach 50% of their scheduled events in-person in Sacramento this coming year. They are committed to developing a close relationship with the SIM community, including mentoring opportunities and new course offerings. This change in format calls for SIM and our community to remain flexible and adaptable, so we can continue offering high-quality teachings from both existing and new faculty.
How is SIM spending my donations?
The SIM Board takes its fiduciary responsibility very seriously and is committed to carefully stewarding the financial resources entrusted to us. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the projected expense budget and anticipated revenue for 2025.
How much should I give?
The amount you give is entirely up to you. To help guide your decision, we’ve outlined some sample pledge levels, and the number of donors needed at each level to reach our fundraising goal.
Do you see yourself at one of these levels?
I’m ready to pledge—how do I do it?
Thank you for your support! The first step is to fill out a pledge form, where you’ll provide your contact information and let us know your intended financial commitment.
From there, you can choose when to begin your first installment. Some people prefer to give monthly through PayPal—either by starting a new recurring donation or increasing an existing one. Others may choose to write a single check or give in installments by check (just note “Pledge Campaign Donation” in the memo line). You can also make a charitable gift through a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) or stock if that fits your situation. There’s flexibility in how and when you give—whatever works best for you.
To make your pledge, please visit: https://sactoinsight.org/generosity/sim-5-year-pledge-campaign/ .
I’m afraid to make a commitment because these are such uncertain times.
We understand—these are politically and economically uncertain times, and it’s natural to feel the urge to hold on more tightly to what we have. But it’s in these very moments that the refuge of the Dharma and the support of a caring sangha become even more vital. Contributing to SIM is an investment in what is steady, wholesome, and deeply needed in our world.
I’m new to the SIM community and don’t feel ready to commit to the Five-Year Pledge Campaign.
It’s completely understandable—everyone needs to reflect on what the SIM community and the Dharma mean to them, and how that fits into their life right now. If a five-year commitment doesn’t feel right at this time, you might consider becoming a monthly donor instead. It’s a meaningful way to support SIM at a level that works for you.
You can sign up to be a monthly donor here: https://sactoinsight.org/generosity/general_donation
To view these FAQs in PDF format, click here.
To view a status update about this campaign, click here.
