Donate
Building Chamma Ling’s Future: Our $350,000 Foundation Campaign
For nearly 26 years, Chamma Ling has held a rare kind of space — one where practitioners can step away from the noise of the world and turn inward. Nestled in a landscape recognized by our founder, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, as uniquely suited for deep practice, this sanctuary has welcomed hundreds of retreat practitioners and renowned teachers, including Pema Chödrön, Andrew Holecek, and Alan Wallace.
Now, we are ready to take the next step — and we invite you to be part of it.
Our Collective Goal: $350,000
We are seeking to collectively raise $350,000 for Phase 1 — the foundational infrastructure that unlocks
everything to follow: the cabins, the teachers, the accessibility, the legacy.
Every gift, at any level, brings us closer to breaking ground. To discuss a major gift opportunity, please contact
Margaret Freund (director@chammaling.com).
The Vision: A Dedicated Sanctuary for Collective Spiritual Practice
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche has long held a vision for this land. We are now ready to realize it. Our master plan
introduces:
- Dark Retreat Capacity: 4-5 cabins specifically designed for dark retreat.
- Remote Seclusion: 4–5 remote off-grid cabins for deep immersion in nature.
- Enhanced Support: Enabling resident teachers to provide specialized guidance and a dedicated caretaker for logistical support.
- Inclusion & Accessibility: Accessible cabins and improved paths designed to ensure that age or mobility is not a barrier to practice.
- Elemental Practice: Maitri rooms designed to represent the five elements.
I’ve had the good fortune to engage in the practice of dark retreat for decades, and Chamma Ling is by far my
favorite place to go. The cabins are perfectly prepared — light-proof and very sound-proof, with great ventilation
and heating/cooling at your fingertips. Every physical aspect is tended to, and you can readily see the care that
goes into supporting this special space. Chamma Ling is situated on magical land where you can truly feel the
spiritual power and blessings — this is definitely one of its strongest features. I look forward to every single
retreat I do there, and highly recommend this retreat center.
Andrew Holecek – Author of Total Eclipse of the Mind: Unleashing the Power of Darkness for Creativity, Healing, and Transformation.
Our Strategic Roadmap
Our path forward is clear, transparent, and designed to build on itself. Here is how your support moves us through each stage:
Phase 1: The Foundation (Current Priority)
Goal: $350,000 | Timeline: 18–24 Months
- Securing all necessary local permits and approvals.
- Installing essential infrastructure: well (water), septic systems, and main electrical improvements.
- Completing vital road improvements and establishing access.
Phase 2: The Manifestation (Upcoming)
Once the groundwork is laid, we will begin the construction of the four to five on-grid cabins and the Teacher’s Cabin. This phase moves us from infrastructure to impact, creating the physical space for dark retreats.
Phase 3: The Completion (Upcoming)
The final stage includes constructing off-grid cabins, implementing the Maitri rooms, and enhancing walking trails for sky and sun gazing practices.
Why the Dark?
- Neurochemical Restoration: Rebalances melatonin
and serotonin to harmonize biological rhythms. - Calming the Stress Response: Lowers cortisol
levels, clearing the path for natural healing. - Restoring Attention: Facilitates a deep, continuous
connection with your inner landscape. - Direct Encounter: Removing external visual
distractions reveals the mind’s natural luminosity.
people can find what the world rarely offers — genuine stillness. That is a gift to countless practitioners, known and
unknown, for generations to come. The land is here. The vision is clear. What it needs now is room to grow — and
that is something you can help provide. Whatever you are able to give, it matters.
Whether you are considering a major gift or simply want to learn more, we welcome
the conversation.
Margaret Freund
Board President, Chamma Ling
director@chammaling.com | 804.536.9800
To donate directly, scan the QR code or visit www.chammaling.com/donate
Ways to Support Chamma Ling
Chamma Ling is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible. Chamma Ling Colorado is managed by a Board of Directors.
The Chamma Ling Board of Directors
Margaret Freund
Alejandro Chaoul
Andrea Heckman
Dorell Drake
Raven Lee
Your donation helps preserve the Bön Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Every gift furthers Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s vision and supports the mission of Ligmincha International.
There are many ways to contribute to the preservation and growth of this sanctuary. We welcome your support in whatever form feels right for you.
Online
The simplest way to give
All major credit cards accepted. Chamma Ling Colorado is a non-profit Colorado corporation. All donations are fully tax deductible. Chamma Ling Colorado is managed by a Board of Directors.
By Check
Make checks payable to Chamma Ling and mail to:
P.O. Box 608
Crestone, CO 81131-0608
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
If you give through a Donor-Advised Fund with Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, or another provider, you can recommend a grant to Chamma Ling directly through your fund portal.
Colorado Tax Return
Colorado residents may donate directly through their state income tax return using the Voluntary Contributions Schedule (DR 0104CH). Search for Chamma Ling using the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Charity Lookup Tool to find our registration number.
Stock & Securities
Donating appreciated stock or securities can be a tax-efficient way to give. Please contact us directly to arrange a transfer.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
If you are 70½ or older, you may make a tax-free gift directly from your IRA to Chamma Ling. This can satisfy your required minimum distribution while supporting the practice you love.
Planned Giving & Bequests
One of the most profound ways to support Chamma Ling is to include us in your estate plans. A bequest, charitable trust, or beneficiary designation on a retirement account or life insurance policy ensures that this land continues to be a refuge for stillness, silence, and spaciousness for future generations
For questions about any of these giving options, or to discuss a major gift, please reach out to Margaret Freund, Board President, at director@chammaling.com or 804.536.9800. We welcome the conversation.
To learn more about the Bön Lineage, other Bön centers and programs, or Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s teaching schedule please visit Ligmincha.org