The 2024 Holiday Fund donation drive is now in its final phase – if you haven't already contributed, please give generously.
The 2024 Holiday Fund has received wonderful support so far during this special time of year. The entire dojo community is deeply appreciative of the support already received. If you've already contributed, then gassho.
If you haven't contributed yet, and you're able to, please consider using the button below to contribute, regardless of amount. Everything matters, and your contribution can make a difference.
It's easy to lose sight of the important causes to support during the holiday season with all the demands on time and attention that we have. However, the dojo is unique in so many ways: consider that, unlike most organizations asking for your support, the dojo is able to directly make an impact on daily operations and opportunities for students, unlike many larger, more institutional organizations. Again, you can make a difference.
The Role of the Holiday Fund
As everyone in the dojo community knows, Goju Karate is a non-profit organization, having just finished our thirteenth year of teaching and practicing karatedō.
While tuition revenue covers our basic expenses, we rely on the generous donations of patrons and students of the dojo to help us reach higher every year.
Many of the new initiatives undertaken in 2024 were a result of the 2023 Holiday Fund. We'll be relying on this year's Holiday Fund to help fund new projects, events, classes, and dojo improvements in 2025.
Why Donating Matters
In 2024, donations helped us make it possible for students to train who cannot afford the full tuition. This included both adults and kids. These karateka are no different from you or your kids – they train just as hard and line up alongside you in class. But they wouldn't be there if it wasn't possible for the dojo to offer greatly-reduced tuition to those that need help.
Donations also helped us create and deliver special programs and seminars and to extend karatedō to a wider and more global audience. In 2024, we expanded the Mentor Program for kids who want to be kids doing martial arts, but have special needs to make that happen. And we expanded the reach of our LiveCast program to adults who can't physically be present in New York City, but still want to train.
And for the first time, the 2023 Holiday Fund helped some kids and adults compete in tournaments during 2024 that normally they'd be unable to.
It's annoying to be constantly asked to contribute, but it's also important to understand that institutions like our dojo only exist because they are valued and supported by their community.
We only ask for help once a year, traditionally always at the holiday season.
So if you're able to, please donate generously. You'll have both the deep appreciation of the dojo community today, and the dojo community of the future.
Step up, and make a difference.
