The Earth Connection Access Fund
A community-powered fund that helps sincere seekers attend sacred ceremony, regardless of their current financial season.
At Earth Connection Community, we believe that the wisdom of the land and the transformative power of ceremony should be accessible to all sincere seekers, regardless of their current financial season. The Access Fund is a living expression of that belief — sustained by those who give, and offered to those who need.
Contribute beyond your own attendance
When you register for a retreat, you can contribute above the standard amount to directly seed the Access Fund. You can also donate to the fund outside of ceremony registration.
Learn how to give ↓Cost shouldn't be the barrier between you and ceremony
If financial circumstances are standing between you and sacred ceremony, you may apply for Access Fund support. Applications are reviewed with care and matched to upcoming retreats.
Apply for support ↓Need support to attend ceremony?
Who should apply
Anyone for whom the standard contribution is a genuine barrier — not a preference. Single parents, students, elders, those facing job transitions, systemic hardship, or other circumstances that make full contribution difficult. Sincerity of spiritual purpose is the only qualification.
What the fund can cover
Partial or full offset of your ceremony contribution, at the discretion of our stewardship team. The fund is finite — applying does not guarantee support, but every application is reviewed with care and intention.
What happens after you apply
Our stewardship team reviews each application and, when support is available, matches approved applicants to an upcoming retreat. You will hear back directly.
Screening still required
All participants — including those receiving Access Fund support — complete our standard contraindication screening. The fund covers the contribution; the spiritual and safety requirements remain the same for everyone.
$1,800
The standard contribution for participation in our sacred ceremonies is $1,800. This contribution honors two essential dimensions of your participation.
The tangible costs of your retreat — lodging, organic meals, transportation logistics, and the physical resources of the sacred space — together represent approximately $650 of the standard contribution. These are the out-of-pocket costs of welcoming you into the container.
Your participation in sacred ceremony — the spiritual heart of what we offer, including the ceremony itself, religious counsel before and after, and your inclusion in the sacred community we hold together — makes up the rest of your contribution.
Under IRS rules, part of your contribution may be tax-deductible. The deductible portion is the part tied to sacred ceremony and religious counsel — not lodging or meals. After your retreat, we will send you a written breakdown for your tax records. Full details are in the tax section below.
The Gift of Access
For those who find themselves in a season of abundance, we invite you to consider a contribution beyond the standard amount. By choosing to give more, you are not simply "paying extra" — you are directly seeding the Access Fund.
Your contribution at this level covers the tangible costs of your stay — accommodations and meals — and supports the work of facilitating sacred space.
Your $1,800 honors your own participation in the ceremony (split as described above). Any amount above $1,800 is a direct contribution to the Access Fund, helping someone who can't afford the full contribution attend ceremony. The full amount above $1,800 is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the Earth Connection Community Access Fund.
Your $1,800 honors your own participation (split as described above). Amounts above $1,800 fully sponsor a sacred container for another seeker, so this work can reach people from all walks of life. The full amount above $1,800 is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the Earth Connection Community Access Fund.
The flow of generosity is the health of the community
In many indigenous and earth-based traditions, the health of the community is measured by its flow of generosity. When you contribute to the Access Fund, you are:
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Preserving the Container
Ensuring that the contribution required for participation never weakens the quality of the sacred medicine or the safety of the space.
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Honoring Diversity
Allowing single parents, students, elders, and those facing financial or life barriers to bring their unique wisdom to our circles.
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Feeding the Work
Supporting the long-term sustainability of Earth Connection so that these ceremonies exist for generations to come.
Direct contributions to the Access Fund
Make a dedicated tax-deductible donation to the Access Fund online — separate from ceremony registration. Pay by card or bank account (ACH). The full amount is tax-deductible.
Contribute to the Access FundPrefer to give by check or have questions? Contact [email protected].
Reciprocity is not a transaction. It is a relationship with the web of life.
Whether you meet the standard contribution or feel moved to offer more, your presence and your transparency are the greatest gifts to this community.
How Your Contribution Is Treated for Tax Purposes
Earth Connection Community is a 501(c)(3) religious organization. As a religious nonprofit, we follow IRS rules for how contributions are treated for tax purposes (IRC §170, Treas. Reg. §1.170A-1(h)(2)(ii)). Here is how each type of contribution breaks down.
| Type of contribution | Tax-deductible portion |
|---|---|
| Standard $1,800 ceremony contribution | Approximately $1,150 (the portion attributable to intangible religious benefits — your participation in sacred ceremony and religious counsel) |
| Bridge Builder / Visionary excess (above $1,800) | Fully deductible as Access Fund contribution |
| Direct Access Fund donation (without retreat attendance) | Fully deductible |
| Tangible portion of ceremony contribution (approximately $650, covering lodging, meals, logistics) | Not tax-deductible |
After your retreat, you will receive a written acknowledgment from Earth Connection Community. This is required by IRC §170(f)(8) for contributions of $250 or more and serves as your documentation for any tax deduction you may claim.
This information is provided for general guidance only. Please consult your own tax advisor for advice specific to your situation.