On behalf of the Common Ground Finance Committee and the Board of Directors, I am happy to report that Common Ground Meditation Center continues to benefit greatly from the generosity of the community. The overall financial goal of Common Ground is to support our mindfulness practice in a healthy and frugal manner.
During the 2024 fiscal year, donations (dana) received from the community were $464,851, which is consistent with receipts in past years. Of this, we received 2024 dana of $34,226 for the renovation and operation of Common Ground retreat center. In addition, the Co-Guiding teachers generously donated $60,0000 in support of building a teacher residence at the retreat center. We earned approximately $42,334 from interest from savings. Total Common Ground 2024 operating expenses were $386,530 versus a budget of $362,945. Operating income for 2024 was $120,654 before depreciation expenses of $50,000. We continue to operate both our city center and the retreat property completely mortgage free.
The operating costs have increased due to the growing programing of the retreat center and continued elevated price inflation. However, the organization is still operating with a modest surplus. We plan to continue to take steps to ensure our budgeted costs remain balanced with dana receipts and interest from our savings in 2024.
A Common Ground financial operating principle is to reserve cash on hand at least equal to the annual expense budget for both centers plus reserves for future repairs and capital improvements. Our 2024 year-end cash on hand is $1,100,251. The year-end cash includes an allocation of $250,658 for future repairs and capital improvements, $306,961 earmarked for future projects at the retreat center and a future teacher residence, and a $367,099 emergency reserve fund.
Common Ground’s financial statements and general ledger are reviewed by an outside CPA each year. No material discrepancies were noted in 2024.
In the spirit of freely giving to support our practice (the principle of dana), in 2024 the community offered each Guiding Teacher a total of $102,677 which includes dana for teaching, administrative work, and professional development. This total compensation includes a salary of $65,231, professional development funds of $3,000, and an annual retirement contribution of $34,446. Common Ground does not offer Shelly and Mark health insurance as they are covered by their spouses' insurance. At the beginning of the year, the Board offered an additional dana gift of $30,000 to each Co-Guiding Teacher.
Teacher support, compensation, and benefits are the largest component in the 2025 budget. We estimate that we will spend $316,233 in 2025 to support our administrative staff and our many ongoing and visiting teachers. Gabe Keller Flores, Office Manager (25 hours/week), and Nancy Boler, Bookkeeping Manager (8 hours/week).
I deeply appreciate my colleagues on the finance committee, Nancy Boler, Mark Nunberg, Shelly Graf, Joe Wightkin, and Dave Halsey – their guidance on financial management is invaluable.
With gratitude,
Rick Condon, Treasurer