research dossier

Westchester Buddhist Center

Sleepy Hollow, NY · EIN 273241886 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE B90 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · westchestermeditationcenter.org

revenue

$86K

expenses

$48K

net assets

$46K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

(a) To allow the dissemination of Buddhadharma by providing a gathering center that is open to the general public offering regular meditation practice, lectures, educational seminars and other instruction, and (b) To help preserve the lineage and tradition of Tibetan Buddhism by creating a nexus of support for senior teachers and providing a forum to share their knowledge and wisdom, and (c) For any other lawful purpose permitted under the Not-for-Profit Corporations Law.

profile · synthesized from sources

Westchester Buddhist Center, based in Sleepy Hollow NY, offers meditation practice, dharma talks, and structured Buddhist study programs rooted in the Tibetan tradition of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The center serves both new and experienced practitioners through regular gatherings, courses, and teacher-led instruction, emphasizing experiential Buddhism integrated into daily life. It operates under the educational mission of preserving and transmitting Tibetan Buddhist teachings to future generations.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Aging for Beginners

Co-taught by Andrea Sherman and Kevin Gormley, this course explores Buddhist perspectives on aging and mindfulness

Family Meditation Program

Program co-hosted by teacher Paul Griffin that introduces meditation practices to families and children

Open House Meditation Gathering

Weekly Sunday meditation sessions in Irvington, NY, open to all levels, featuring meditation practice, informal readings, and discussions

Profound Treasury Courses

Intermediate and advanced study of Trungpa Rinpoche’s three-volume Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, covering Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana teachings

The Way of the Buddha

Foundational three-part curriculum based on Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's teachings, offered as 12-week courses covering core Buddhist concepts and practices

activities · 5 groups

What they do

Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 3 activities
- Hosting specialized mindfulness and educational programs
  
  Offers targeted programs such as the "Aging for Beginners" course, Family Meditation co-hosted by Paul Griffin, and monthly discussion groups combining mindfulness meditation with chapter-based study. Also delivers mindfulness programs in partnership with organizations serving low-income and underserved women and girls in Westchester.
- Offering Buddhist meditation and dharma education programs
  
  Provides regular meditation sessions, dharma talks, study classes, and structured courses based on the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche at multiple locations in Westchester County, NY, and online. Programs include weekly morning and evening meditations, Sunday gatherings, and a progressive foundation curriculum consisting of three twelve-week courses, including "The Way of the Buddha: Waking Up through the Path of Meditation."
- Providing meditation instruction and resources for beginners and remote practitioners
  
  Offers in-person and on-request meditation instruction, accessible seating, downloadable PDF guides, and audio recordings of live classes to support home practice. Includes beginner-friendly programming such as Open House Meditation Gatherings and structured community meditations with discussion and instruction.
Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Communicating programs through newsletters
  
  Produces and distributes a weekly email newsletter listing current and upcoming meditation, study, and community programs to support engagement and participation.
University-Specific Endowment and Program Funding 1 activity
- Funding the Rime Shedra, NYC
  
  Funds Rime Shedra, NYC through grants, an organization where Derek Kolleeny serves as founder and senior teacher, supporting its educational and contemplative mission.
Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Supporting teacher development and training
  
  Provides structured training programs for aspiring meditation instructors and assistant dharma teachers, including coursework and weekend workshops to build teaching capacity within the community.
Uncategorized 2 activities
- Facilitating access to advanced Buddhist teachings and rituals
  
  Supports access to Vajrayana transmission and instruction through collaboration with senior Tibetan teachers, including Venerable Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, and plans for ceremonies such as the Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows led by Derek Kolleeny. Requires completion of a year-long foundation course as a prerequisite for advanced study.
- Sharing recorded and live guest teachings
  
  Hosts guest speakers for public talks and maintains an archive of recordings from guest speakers and faculty, organized in reverse chronological order, making them available to members and the public.

financials · form 990EZ · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$86K

Contributions & grants$26K30%

Program service revenue$61K70%

Investment income$00%

Other revenue$0

expenses

Total expenses$48K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits$0

Grants paid out$5K

balance sheet

Total assets$46K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$46K

1 years on record · 2024–2024

relationships · 32

Who they work with

Beacon Zen Center Partner — David Rome is affiliated with Beacon Zen Center, suggesting a collaborative relationship.
Bedford Hills Community House Partner — Hosts Westchester Meditation Center's Tuesday meditation sessions in Bedford Hills, NY.
Buddhadharma Partner — Shared as a journal for serious practitioners across all Buddhist schools
Chögyam Trungpa Digital Library Partner — Shared for preserving and providing access to the recorded legacy of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche Network — Follows and transmits the meditation teachings and practices of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Contemplative Studies Program at Purchase College Partner — Joshua Lutz, a teacher at WMC, co-founded the Contemplative Studies Program at Purchase College.
Derek Kolleeny Partner — Planned to lead the Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows ceremony in November 2026.
Dorje Loppon Lodro Dorje Partner — Invited to teach Vajrayana introduction and administer refuge and bodhisattva vows for the Buddhism: View and Path course.
Garrison Institute Partner — Shared for applying contemplative practices to social and environmental concerns, aligned with Westchester Meditation Center's values
Judy Lief Partner — Invited to teach Mahayana classes on lojong and the six paramitas for the Buddhism: View and Path course.
Karme Choling Partner — Paul Griffin and Erin Carney will serve as Directors of Family Camp at Karme Choling in Vermont.
Katonah Village Library Partner — Hosts the Meditation Mondays group at its location and provides optional registration.
Lions Roar Partner — Shared as a magazine communicating Buddhist wisdom and practices for modern life
Mindful Focusing Partner — David Rome is associated with Mindful Focusing, indicating a professional or organizational connection.
Nalanda Translation Committee Partner — Shared for translating Tibetan Buddhist texts into English and other Western languages, founded by Chögyam Trungpa
Ocean: The Vast Teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Partner — Shared for offering online study and practice of Chögyam Trungpa’s teachings and building community among students
Profound Treasury Dharma Foundation Partner — Shared for preserving and propagating the dharma teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Rime Shedra, NYC Partner — Westchester Meditation Center senior teacher Derek Kolleeny is the founder and senior teacher of Rime Shedra, NYC.
RimeShedra.NYC Partner — Organization shared due to similarity of spirit or content with Westchester Meditation Center
Shambhala Meditation Center of New York Network — Kelsa DeBrabant, a teacher at WMC, serves as Program & Operations Director at the Shambhala Meditation Center of New York.
Shambhala Mountain Center Partner — Sam Bercholz is listed as a teacher at Shambhala Mountain Center, indicating a professional affiliation or partnership.
Shambhala Publications Partner — Shared for providing a reader’s guide to Chögyam Trungpa’s literary output
Siddhartha's Intent Partner — Collaborates with Siddhartha's Intent to provide access to the Buddhism: View and Path course for WMC students.
The Aligned Center Partner — Hosts Westchester Meditation Center's main meditation sessions at its Irvington, NY location.
The Aligned Center Partner — Shared for its commitment to Aligned Living, resonating with Westchester Meditation Center’s mission
The Chronicles Partner — Shared as an oral history project preserving recollections related to Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Wisdom Seat Partner — Shared for hosting teachers and retreats based on Kagyu-Nyingma and Rimé traditions of Tibetan Buddhism
Town of Bedford Government — Administers registration and offers a discount for the Fall season meditation gatherings.
Tricycle Partner — Shared as an independent forum for exploring Buddhism and its dialogue with contemporary culture
United Nations SDSN Youth Partner — Kelsa DeBrabant mentors social entrepreneurs through the United Nations SDSN Youth initiative.

+ 2 more

strategies · 4

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.