Dear Beloved Community,

I am reaching out to you on behalf of Lev White, my dear friend of many years.

Many of you reading this may already know him. You have attended his sanghas and heard his dharma; you’ve participated in one of his workshops on DEI; you’ve experienced his spiritual leadership on the bima, ushering in sacred moments on behalf of community; or perhaps you’ve called on him to attend to your wedding or accompany your loved ones in their illness or passing.

I met Lev many years ago at the LGBTQ Center in San Francisco where he was helping LGBTQI2S clients prepare for, find, and retain jobs. Since then, he has supported hundreds, if not thousands, of people and many companies and organizations in building more equitable, compassionate, and integrated awareness to improve themselves and their workplaces by cultivating deeper connection, compassion, respect, and understanding.

Here’s the thing: much of Lev’s work is funded by…his generous heart and values. And we know, especially in this current anti-DEI climate, what that translates to: not enough financial stability to sustain a life beyond the most basic of needs.

Lev has been quietly struggling to find enough work to meet all of his needs and the things he feels called to (including not-such-small things like writing a book and participating in spiritual leadership programs) that will allow him to grow himself and nurture his love and compassion activism. Lev has already supported so many people, and often people who identify as BIMPOC and/or LGBTQIA+; often being paid solely in dāna. This is a call for community to offer back just some of what Lev has offered us.

If you’re not able to offer support in this moment, Lev welcomes your best wishes and hopes. If you’re comfortable, we hope you’ll share this request (but please not on social media!). In a culture that reveres self-sufficiency and considers lack to be an indicator of one's worth, Lev has struggled for months to even allow me to make this request on his behalf.

Lev is seeking financial or in-kind support for the following basic needs:

*Rebuilding his website

*Car repairs (anyone have a gently used car they’re looking to donate?) *Short-term bookkeeping and tax services

*Upgrading his troubled computer

*Ongoing work with a coach and therapist

*A fresh coat of paint for his apartment (interior walls)

*General living expenses

The support you offer will also pay for his attending several retreats this year including a dharma/Buddhist retreat and a retreat for people who engage in DEI work.

If it’s accessible to you, you could even fund entire pieces of this list (i.e. donate the cost of a new computer)!

Thank you for considering making a donation and sharing this request with your personal contacts who you think might want to contribute to a person who gives to so many. Social media is overwhelming, so Lev asks that you please do not post this to social media.

Every gift no matter how big or small matters as we help to get Lev to his $20,000 goal!!

In community,

Dania

Estimated General Costs and Expenses:

Car repairs: $1500

Website update: $1500

Spiritual Leadership Program: $3000 (covers about half the cost depending on the program)

Bookkeeping and taxes: $1500

Coaching and therapy: $3000

Computer and monitor: $1800

Painting: $2000

Retreats: $1200

General living expenses: $4500

Vocabulary

Bima: the main area of clergy in a Jewish synagogue

Dāna: the practice of generosity and giving for Buddhist teachers