named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Daily Dharma
Email and app-based daily delivery of Buddhist teachings and reflections
Online Courses
Structured digital learning experiences on Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices
Tricycle Haiku Challenge
Monthly community poetry initiative inviting participants to submit original haiku, fostering engagement with Buddhist aesthetics
Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
Quarterly magazine publishing articles, teachings, and cultural commentary on Buddhism and mindfulness
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 2 activities
- Development and distribution of meditation and mindfulness programsOffers evidence-based meditation programs including a 31-day email course, daily guided meditations, and a Daily Dharma app delivering teachings, podcasts, and curated content. Provides weekly meditation groups for subscribers featuring guided sessions and small group discussions with Buddhist teachers.
- Hosting virtual and in-person Buddhist practice eventsOrganizes virtual events such as translations of sacred texts (e.g., the Diamond Sutra), two-day retreats focused on themes like haiku and nature connection (e.g., at Garrison Institute in 2026), and occasional pilgrimages to historically significant Buddhist sites.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Facilitation of creative engagement in Buddhist practiceHosts a monthly haiku challenge that selects and publishes winning poems online, with one featured per quarter in the print magazine. Offers an online course, “Learn to Write Haiku: Mastering the Ancient Art of Serious Play,” in collaboration with teacher Clark Strand.
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Interfaith and Spiritual Dialogue Programs 1 activity
- Production of podcasts featuring contemplative practices and teachingsProduces and distributes podcast content including "The Metta Hour," which has reached 7 million downloads, and episodes featuring evidence-based contemplative practices developed in collaboration with Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics.
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Religious Media Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publication and distribution of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review magazineProduces and distributes a quarterly magazine that presents Buddhist teachings, practices, and perspectives to a Western audience, serving as the first publication of its kind when launched in 1991. The magazine features curated content including dharma talks, historical analysis, and creative expression such as haiku.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Capacity building in mindfulness and meditation teachingIntroduced mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation practices to mainstream American culture, influencing broader meditation teaching methodologies and contributing to the integration of contemplative practices in secular contexts.
- Delivery of digital Buddhist educational content and resourcesProvides free and subscription-based access to a comprehensive suite of digital resources, including a 30-year article archive, video teachings, e-books, podcasts, dharma talks, and curated external materials. Offers structured learning through navigable online paths and topic-based exploration for independent or sequential study.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.67M
Contributions & grants$474K13%
Program service revenue$3.04M83%
Investment income$148K4%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.12M
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$1.64M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.10M
Cash$207K
Investments$3.61M
Liabilities$1.44M
Net assets$2.66M
Liquid reserves14.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +4.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES SHAHEEN | President | 50 | $287K |
| SAMUEL MOWE | PUBLISHER | 40 | $135K |
| Philip Ryan | Executive Editor | 40 | $104K |
board members · 9
- CHRISTOPHER CREVIER — Trustee
- DUNCAN RYUKEN WILLIAMS — Trustee
- HELEN TWORKOV — Trustee
- JONATHAN HOCHMAN — Trustee
- LAWRENCE FOX — Chairman
- MAYREE CLARK — Chair
- PHILIP GLASS — Chair Emeritus
- ROGER ROSNER — Trustee
- WERNER DOYLE — Trustee
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Clark Strand Partner — Collaborates with Tricycle Foundation as moderator of the Haiku Challenge and instructor of an online haiku course.
- Emory University Partner — Collaborates with Emory's Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics on research-informed contemplative practices.
- Garrison Institute Partner — Co-hosts a two-day retreat on haiku and connection to the natural world with Tricycle Foundation.
- Insight Meditation Society Partner — Cofounded by Sharon Salzberg, indicating a collaborative relationship with the Tricycle Foundation through shared programming.
- Ken McLeod Partner — Collaborates with Ken McLeod on a podcast and event presenting his translation of the Diamond Sutra.
- Lane Press Partner — Printer that uses soy-based inks and prints Tricycle magazine on recycled, FSC-certified paper.
- Plum Village Network — Features teachings from the founder of Plum Village
- RetreaTours Partner — Travel partner that purchases triple carbon offsets for transportation during Tricycle pilgrimages.
- Rev. Dr. Mark Unno Partner — Buddhist teacher leading guided meditations and dharma talks for Tricycle's Meditation Group.
- Sarah Shaw Partner — Features Sarah Shaw in a Dharma Talk on the importance of stillness and seclusion for achieving jhana.
- Sharon Salzberg Partner — Collaborates with Sharon Salzberg on a workshop about living with faith, confidence, purpose, and heart.
- The Sciku Project Partner — Platform where Tricycle Haiku Challenge poets have had their work published, indicating a collaborative relationship around science-themed haiku.
- Tricycle Network — Produces and links to Tricycle articles as part of the educational resource.
- Tricycle Magazine Network — Tricycle Foundation operates Tricycle Magazine as part of its media and educational outreach.
- unfetteredmind.org Partner — Website associated with Ken McLeod, featured as a resource for his writings and teachings
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Accessible, Experience-Based Buddhist Educationmethodology: accessible-educationBy presenting Buddhist teachings through clear, contemporary language and self-directed, modular learning structures, the organization supports broad engagement across experience levels, because approachable and flexible formats lower barriers to entry and sustain long-term practice.
- Contemplative Science Integrationmethodology: contemplative-scienceBy combining contemplative practices with scientific research on compassion and ethics, the organization develops practical tools that enhance psychological resilience and social connection, because evidence-based approaches increase credibility and applicability in secular contexts.
- Inclusive, Independent Forum for Buddhist Dialoguemethodology: independent_public_forumBy maintaining independence from specific Buddhist lineages or teachers, the organization fosters an inclusive public forum that enables constructive dialogue between Buddhism and Western culture, because neutrality increases accessibility and reduces sectarian barriers to engagement.
- Integration of Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness into Mainstream Contextsmethodology: mindfulness-and-loving-kindnessBy embedding mindfulness and loving-kindness practices into mainstream cultural and educational settings, the organization fosters personal and societal transformation, because widespread, non-sectarian practice cultivates collective well-being and ethical awareness.
- Multimedia Dharma Outreachmethodology: multimedia_distributionBy distributing Buddhist teachings across print, digital, mobile, and daily content formats, the organization increases public access and integration into daily life, because diverse and repeated touchpoints enhance reach and sustained engagement.