IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME! Zoroastrian Associations in North America have proved that having a center, a HOME brings the local community much closer. Some centers experienced so much demand that they had to plan a schedule for their use. With our growing community, we are at a critical point, where we need to nurture, educate and enthuse the next generation of Zoroastrians and give them a sense of belonging.
In 2013, PZO approached ZANC about establishing a new joint Center. They recognized some insurmountable problems with the existing Dar e Mehr. ZANC approached a law firm that reinforced this decision. The seed was sown.
Soon after, ZANC and PZO jointly established our needs for a new property, later called the Northern California Zoroastrian Center (NCZC). We developed a BROCHURE which outlines what we are looking for in a new property, and lists the various activities for which we would use it. We would like to continue with all the activities that ZANC and PZO have at present – Z classes, Z camps etc. We would also like to have lectures on Zoroastrianism by visiting scholars, as well as sports for Youth, and social activities for Youth, and for Seniors.
ZANC’s Fund Raising Committee has raised $1.3 million for NCZC. We have seen several suitable properties over the years, but $1.3 million is not enough to buy a new place. Most of this money was raised between 2015 and 2019. We received some donations in 2013 and 2014 as well, before we actively started raising funds. Then, the pandemic gave us a setback. In the last year or two, some PZO members re-approached Santa Clara County for permits to remodel our existing Dar e Mehr. Now, however, two important decisions are made: 1) the present Dar e Mehr will not be remodeled, 2) the PZO has decided to join us in looking for a new property. So, let us ALL re-double our fund-raising efforts.
NCZC was registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in October 2020. Your tax-deductible donations for the new center should be made to ZANC. They will remain securely invested in a restricted account, and will be used only for a new community center used jointly by ZANC and PZO.
Our most urgent need is FUNDING. If every ZANC family in the Bay Area DONATES $10,000, we would quickly get close to the mark. If you do not wish to donate your dollars at present, we accept PLEDGES as well, and we thank you most warmly for your generosity.
There are many ways you can donate and participate in this initiative;
- Checks payable to “ZANC”. Please enter “New Community Center Fund” on memo line and mail to: ZANC, PO Box 4568, Foster City, CA 94404
- Donate via a company matching program (double the impact of your dollars!)
- Direct transfer from your bank account, in installments of $______ per month / per year. Email nczc@googlegroups.com for details
- Stock Donations. Email nczc@googlegroups.com for details on how to transfer stock
- RMDs – Required Minimum Distributions
- Donate online
- If you are not ready to donate but would like to make a pledge, please email nczc@googlegroups.com.
ZANC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity. Please email nczc@googlegroups.com if you would like to volunteer and participate, have questions, or need additional information about donation options.