For the Fiscal Year 2009
(January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009)

Retreats

During 2009, a total of 236 days of teacher-led courses were offered at the Retreat Center, and 365 days for personal retreats were offered at the Forest Refuge. A total of 59 teachers, including three monks and three nuns from the ordained sangha, taught the Buddha’s priceless teachings throughout this period. Retreat highlights included:

• Courses at the Retreat Center for specific audiences: people of color, teens, young adults (18-32 year olds), families, new meditation students, experienced meditation students, caregivers and scientists. In addition, it was the 25th anniversary of the annual retreat for women.
• Special focus courses at the Retreat Center: Metta (2), Monastic and Wise Concentration. A benefit weekend, led by Joseph Goldstein, Tara Bennett-Goleman and Daniel Goleman raised funds for IMS.
• Three courses at the Retreat Center were offered on a 'You Choose' fee basis, allowing retreatants to establish their own course fee. Five 'You Choose' fee spaces were offered at any given time throughout the year at the Forest Refuge for stays of 14 days or longer.
• This year we offered a Two-Month Retreat in the fall rather than the traditional three-month course. The teachers decided to return to the Three-Month Retreat in 2010 and beyond.
  
  

2,635 individuals participated in retreats at IMS during 2009. Some sat more than one retreat yielding a total of 3,004 registrations. Pertinent information about those who sat at IMS is a follows:

• 66% were women, 34% were men
• 17% were under the age of 32 years
• 43% had never been to IMS before
• 29% received some form of financial assistance valued at $348,298

Our occupancy rate at both the Retreat Center and the Forest Refuge was 85%. 

Financial Results of Operations

Total operating expenses for the year (net of depreciation and investment fees) were $3,167,289. Revenues from registrations for retreats covered 52% of our expenses; the rest came from donations and investment income. Clearly IMS relies heavily on donations to keep rates affordable and to sustain operations.

The following revenue and expense information is derived from our audited financial statement.

Operating Revenue (not including investment income)

Operating Expenses (net of depreciation and investment fees)

* Includes donations received for and paid to teachers.
** The operational deficit was covered by the budgeted investment draw.

Please direct any feedback to Bob Agoglia, IMS Executive Director, at boba@dharma.org.

Past Annual Reports

Fiscal Year 2007A
Fiscal Year 2007
Fiscal Year 2008