Projects FPMT’s Charitable Projects

The FPMT Community Grants Fund

Formerly the International Merit Box Project

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Established in 2024, the FPMT Community Grants Fund continues the work of the International Merit Box Project, which provided grants to support FPMT centers, projects, services, and study groups, as well as other Dharma initiatives, for more than 21 years. The Community Grants Fund carries this work forward by providing grants each year to support projects and initiatives that benefit the FPMT community and further the FPMT mission.

What the Fund Supports

Each January and February, the FPMT International Office accepts grant applications to fund a broad range of activities that fulfill the FPMT mission. These include publishing new teachings and translations; creating statues, stupas, prayers, and other holy objects; urgent repairs, upgrades, and construction projects at FPMT centers; supporting community service projects and Universal Education programs; providing Dharma resources for incarcerated people; and more.

The transformation of the new Tushita Center, Spain, which received a grant for the project in 2022. Photos courtesy of Tushita Center.

Many of these local FPMT projects and activities have limited access to other sources of funding, making support from the Community Grants Fund vital to their success. We deeply rejoice in the extraordinary generosity of supporters around the world, which makes it possible for these meaningful and compassionate activities to come to fruition.

Community members for the Center of White Mahakala Study Group in Romania, which received a grant for their stupa and retreat cabin construction projects in 2024. Photo courtesy of CWMSG.

Grants Awarded

Below are reports for grants from the Community Grants Fund and the former Merit Box Fund.

In 2026, 8 Dharma projects and activities were awarded grants from the Community Grants Fund, for a total of US$11,800. Thank you to all the generous donors who made these possible!

Community Grants Fund: Grants Offered in 2026

Organization

Project

Awarded
Liberation Prison Project Edovo Deployment and Hosting – this is a learning platform for every incarcerated American US$2,500
FPMT North American Regional Office Development of the North American Regional Teacher Tour Program. This ongoing program builds a sustainable system that expands geographic access to FPMT teachers. US$1,800
FPMT North American Regional Office Development of regional fundraising infrastructure for FPMT North America. US$1,000
Tara Centre for Wisdom Culture 21 Tara Thangka Truck Transport Renta US$1,000
Tekchen Choeling, Buddhist Center New entrance for the center’s new location (glass door and a glass storefront). US$1,700
FPMT Mongolia – Universal Education Mahayana Children’s Program – to further expand upon and strengthen 16 Guidelines. US$2,000
Jamyang Buddhist Centre The Kindness Café at Jamyang. Core activities include: Bereavement support and Death Café dialogues; Listening spaces for developing communication and nonviolent listening skills; Creative and skill-sharing workshops; Community walks; Climate Café and school and local outreach coordination. US$1,100
Thubten Norbu Ling Building an accessible circumambulation path. Installing the Kshitigarbha statue and pedestal. Enhancing the garden with benches, landscaping, and memorial wind chimes. US$700

Total Awarded in 2026

$11,800

Community Grants Fund: Grants Offered in 2025

Organization

Project

Awarded
Center of White Mahakala Study Group, Romania Completion of the Retreat Center’s Gompa US$1,000
“Chenrezig: The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia” – a Documentary Film To Create a Film Based on the History of Chenrezig Institute US$650
Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Leeds, UK Gompa Hall Roof Repairs US$1,500
Land of Calm Abiding, USA Earth Work for Road Repair and to Save Stupa Meadow and Place Ksitigarbha Statue US$2,500
Land of Joy, UK Renovation of Dining Hall – and New Radiators US$1,000
Milarepa Center, USA Ksitigarbha Statue Base US$1,000
Milarepa Center, USA Retreat Scholarship Fund US$1,000
Tara Institute, AUS 21 Tara Thangka Truck Transport Rental US$500
Tekchen Choeling Buddhist Center, Renovation and Adaptation of Future Gompa US$1,000

Total Awarded in 2025

$10,150

Merit Box Grants 2003-2024

Below are reports of the projects and activities awarded funding each year through the former Merit Box Fund, which totaled over US$1.25 million offered to 354 grants since 2003. As you read over the Dharma projects that have been supported by the generosity of thousands of students, please take a moment to rejoice!

2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |

A grant was awarded to FPMT Mongolia in 2024 for their Mahayana Children's Program. Photo courtesy of FPMT Mongolia.

How to Apply for Grants

Grant awards are available to FPMT centers, projects, services, and study groups, as well as other projects and initiatives that further the FPMT mission.

All applicants must submit their request through the FPMT Charitable Projects Grant application form.

Grant Cycle

The FPMT Charitable Projects Grant is offered annually. Applications are accepted January 1 through February 28 each year. Grant awards are typically disbursed in March or April, following the application deadline.

Offer Your Support

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The FPMT Community Grants Fund is a project of FPMT, Inc. and is administered by FPMT International Office located in Portland, Oregon, United States. All donations made to this fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(c)(3) to the extent allowed by law.

For questions about the Community Grants Fund, please contact the Charitable Projects Director.

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