How Gaia Forest is Structured

What Gaia Forest Is

Gaia Forest Retreat is a meditation retreat centre, forest restoration and intentional community project on private land in the Dorrigo Plateau region of northern New South Wales. We also manage restoration work on the remnant of old-growth rainforest. Gaia Forest Sangha Inc is a not-for-profit Sangha that operates retreats and offers community activities, often on that same piece of land, but also elsewhere in the region.

How the Land is Held

The land is owned by Gaia Forest Pty Ltd (ACN 649 347 106), which operates as trustee of the Gaia Forest Unit Trust. This structure was chosen to provide legal clarity around land ownership and to ensure that the property can be held in perpetuity for its intended purpose. The land is subject to a perpetual conservation covenant, which means it will remain protected for conservation and appropriate use regardless of future ownership changes.

The Spiritual Community Side

Gaia Forest Sangha Inc is a separate incorporated not-for-profit association that organises retreats, meditation programs, and community activities at the site. While Sangha Inc and Gaia Forest Pty Ltd work closely together, they are distinct legal entities with different roles.

About Donations

Gaia Forest is not a registered charity, and therefore donations are unfortunately not tax deductible in Australia or elsewhere. Donations are received by Gaia Forest Pty Ltd and are used to support the repayment of loans received for the land acquisition, refinancing, and ongoing operations of the project.

We believe it’s important to be clear about this. Some people prefer to support projects where donations carry tax benefits. Others prefer to know exactly where their money goes without the formality of charitable registration. We respect both perspectives and wanted to be transparent about how we are structured.

Larger Donations and Deeper Involvement

For gifts above a certain amount, investment opportunities within the Gaia Forest Unit Trust, or participation arrangements like kuti sponsorships, we work through direct personal contact rather than public solicitation. These conversations are tailored to individual circumstances. If you’re interested in exploring deeper involvement, please reach out.

Foreign Donations

We welcome donations from supporters in other countries. However, donors from outside Australia are responsible for ensuring their donation complies with their own country’s tax and regulatory requirements. This is straightforward in most cases; we simply note it for transparency.

Ven. Tenzin’s Teaching Work

The teaching, dharma guidance, and personal mentorship offered by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson) is a separate stream from the Gaia Forest project itself. While his presence and guidance are central to the community, his work as a teacher and practitioner is distinct from the organisational structure of the land project.

Our Current Fundraising

We are currently raising funds to complete the refinancing of the Gaia Forest Unit Trust. The land purchase was made possible through a combination of personal investment, loans, and donations. We are now seeking additional support to secure the long-term financial stability of the project. Every contribution helps us move toward a future where the land can fully serve its purpose of retreat, forest restoration, and community practice without ongoing financial pressure.

Staying Connected

If you donate or express interest in the project, THANKYOU! We keep all our amazing supporters informed about progress and activities at the site. This might include updates on forest restoration, upcoming retreats, or community events, shared via our newsletter and periodic communications.

Questions?

We’re happy to discuss the project structure, how donations are used, or anything else about Gaia Forest. Please reach out directly here: Contact us.