Donations to Gaia House
We have several funds to which retreatants can make donations. Please make cheques payable to "Gaia House Trust" clearly specifying the fund to which you are donating: Teacher Support Fund, General Fund, Retreatant Support Fund.
Charity Status
Gaia House is a registered Charity no. 900339, and as a registered
charity we are able to reclaim tax from the Inland Revenue on
donations made to us under the Gift Aid Scheme.
If you make a donation please let us know if you are a UK taxpayer.
We will then ask you to complete a short declaration stating that
you have paid an amount of tax that at least equals the tax we will
reclaim. (You may have paid the tax on income, capital gains
and/or savings). The donation you make under the Gift Aid scheme
can be any amount and may be offered as a single gift or as a
regular contribution. The Gift Aid scheme does not apply to
donations made to individuals i.e. teachers or managers.
Teacher Support - Dana
The teachers at Gaia House give enormously of their time, energy
and understanding. The group retreat charge covers only food,
accommodation, teacher travel expenses and retreat overheads. No
part of your fee is reserved for the teachers. Teachers do receive a
small stipend when interviewing those on a Personal Retreat. Gaia
House teachers rely on donations from students who value their
guidance and wish to support the ongoing teachings of the Dharma.
At the end of each retreat there is an opportunity to give donations
to the teachers. As lay teachers in a western culture, their livelihood
depends upon this support. Outside group retreats, the ongoing
work of the Gaia House teachers can be supported through donations
made out to "Gaia House Trust" and sent to Gaia House. Please indicate
on your cheque that your donation is for the Teacher Support Fund.
General Fund
The General Fund has been set up to finance small improvements to
the facilities at Gaia House and larger improvements to the house
and grounds. Currently the standard rate for retreats only covers
the basic running costs of Gaia House. Essential upgrading and
major improvements to the house and grounds have, in the past,
been made possible through the remarkable generosity of people
worldwide. Gaia House continues to upgrade the facilities and to
require substantial maintenance and improvement work. Any
support you can give to the General Fund is greatly appreciated.
Your donations will help us to maintain the comfort, beauty and
simplicity of Gaia House and will also help to keep the daily rate as
low as possible. Please send cheques to Gaia House payable to "Gaia House Trust" and indicate that your donation is for the
General Fund.
Retreatant Support Fund
Gaia House has a strong commitment to ensure that the Dharma
and its teachings are available to everyone, irrespective of financial
circumstances. For many in today’s society, such as some young
people, people on a low wage, those claiming benefit or reliant
solely on the state pension, the cost of coming on retreat is not
affordable. The Retreatant Support Fund allows these individuals to
access Gaia House programmes. The Fund is financed by nonrefunded
deposits due to cancellations and the generosity of many
retreatants. In 2006 we have set ourselves a fundraising target of
£5,000 for the Retreatant Support Fund. This will allow us to continue offering a range of financial assistance options.
HOW TO MAKE A DONATION TO GAIA HOUSE
One-Off Donations
A donation of £40 will allow someone claiming full assistance
from the Retreatant Support Fund to come on a weekend
retreat whilst a donation of £105 will allow someone to come
on a 7-day retreat. If you have benefited from a retreat at Gaia
House this is a wonderful opportunity to express generosity
towards other people who cannot afford the costs of a retreat.
Donations of any amount whether one-offs or regular annual
contributions by standing order will be gratefully received.
Regular Donations by Direct Debit
Our long-term vision is an ongoing appeal to provide money
for the Retreatant Support Fund by encouraging retreatants to
donate on a regular basis. If you are able to make a regular
commitment to supporting the practice of others please fill in
the standing order/direct debit form.
Gift Aid
In addition if you would like us to reclaim tax on your donation
(28p for every £1 you give) under the Gift Aid scheme, please
complete the final declaration marked in red. In order for us to
claim tax you must be a U.K. taxpayer, i.e. you must have paid
an amount in tax that at least equals the tax being reclaimed on
this donation. UK tax paid on income, capital gains and savings
all qualify.
Please return the completed form to Gaia House for
the attention of Finance and Admin Supervisor. We will then
process your donation and if you are setting up a regular
direct debit/standing order, we will send you confirmation of
the arrangements.
Gaia House, West Ogwell, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6EN
Bequests
This is another way that you could support the House in the future, but for this to happen you would need to consider implementing something in your will now. Death and taxes are certain but a bequest to the Trust will continue to support all that we do.
