SRF Appeal — November 2025
Loving greetings from the ashrams of Self-Realization Fellowship! It is a joy to reach out to you in the spirit of reverence and love for Paramahansa Yogananda that we share — and to thank you for your continued support of his blessed work. Together, we are building the foundation for SRF’s next 100 years — spreading the light of divine awakening throughout the world.
As we prepare for the future, we pause with deep gratitude to reflect on the sacred mission entrusted to Self-Realization Fellowship by our revered guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. Since 1920, SRF has served as a beacon of timeless spiritual wisdom — sharing the ancient science of Kriya Yoga and offering a universal path to God-realization. From a divinely guided beginning SRF has grown into a global community now spanning more than 175 countries, and Paramahansaji’s teachings continue to awaken the divine potential in innumerable souls and bring light, peace, and purpose to countless lives.
If you follow these teachings and meditate deeply...you will see that they are several hundred years ahead of their time. They herald the coming of a higher age of enlightenment.
Paramahansa Yogananda
SRF’s New Phase of Growth Under Brother Chidananda
Under the leadership of Brother Chidananda, SRF has experienced a new phase of dynamic growth — expanding our global reach through the Online Meditation Center, new multilingual editions of the SRF Lessons, redesigned websites and an SRF app, and greatly expanded youth and family programs.
We have broadened our volunteer network, strengthened member support systems, and — key to the success of many initiatives — welcomed many more dedicated lay professionals to help advance this work. This allows our monks and nuns to focus more time on endeavors that require monastic training — publishing and perpetuating our Guru’s teachings in their pure form, preserving the spiritual legacy of the organizational work he founded, offering guidance to seekers individually and by conducting classes and devotional services around the world, and the other multifaceted forms of spiritual service inherent in ashram life.
Overall, these achievements reflect our commitment to sharing Paramahansaji’s teachings far and wide in our rapidly changing world.
The truths and techniques that Paramahansa Yogananda gives are a spiritual dynamo. They are a powerhouse that will infuse every aspect of our lives with joy, success, peace — and maybe most importantly, a sense of deep inner reassurance that we are living according to the Divine Plan and fulfilling the purpose for which we are here on earth.
SRF President Brother Chidananda
Meeting the Moment
Today, we face an extraordinary opportunity and responsibility. Interest in meditation and Paramahansaji’s teachings is growing around the world, even as humanity faces intensifying challenges — an epidemic of spiritual hunger, loss of connection with the sacred in daily life, and growing social division. Now more than ever, people everywhere are seeking the peace, meaning, and direct experience of the Divine that Paramahansaji’s teachings offer.
To meet this moment and prepare for the next 100 years of our sacred mission, SRF must continue to strengthen its spiritual foundation and operational capacity in alignment with the vision and growth Brother Chidananda has already set in motion.
Organizational Priorities
As we expand into the future, SRF is focused on these essential priorities:
Spreading the Light: Sharing the Teachings Globally
We will carry the light of Paramahansaji’s teachings farther than ever before — touching hearts across languages, cultures, and generations.
We are translating the SRF Lessons into 16 additional languages, continuing the publication of Paramahansa Yogananda’s remaining unpublished talks and writings and planning memoirs about his life (including a new biography), as well as expanding global distribution to reach more truth-seekers everywhere.
Inspiring Seekers: Enhancing Programs, Services, & Technology
We will ensure a vibrant, spiritually connected global community — reaching seekers of all ages, in every corner of the world.
We are enhancing digital platforms and support services, expanding online offerings, and creating new programs for youth and families, including children’s content, teen and young adult outreach, and exploring pilot SRF schools and lay-disciple communities.
Sustaining a Monastic Nucleus: Nurturing & Upholding SRF’s Renunciant Order
We will protect and sustain the monastic order central to Paramahansaji’s work — ensuring that it continues to thrive, serve, and inspire for generations to come.
We are supporting the monastic order, which Paramahansaji made the nucleus of his work —through recruitment and training, immersive spiritual programs, upgrading and modernizing current ashram facilities, developing new ashram facilities, and establishing a sustainable senior care program with dedicated facilities for elderly monastics.
Honoring the Guru’s Legacy: Preserving SRF’s Sacred Sites & Sanctuaries
We will preserve the holy places sanctified by Paramahansaji’s presence — ensuring they remain centers of pilgrimage, inspiration, and divine communion for future seekers.
We are preserving and upgrading Paramahansaji’s legacy sacred sites, including completing the International Headquarters Retrofit & Rehabilitation Project, fulfilling his inspiring vision for the Encinitas Ashram Center, and reopening the Lake Shrine, so that these spiritual sanctuaries remain vibrant, accessible, and welcoming for future generations.
Building for Tomorrow: Ensuring Organizational Resilience & Growth
We will strengthen the administrative foundation of Paramahansaji’s worldwide mission — ensuring SRF is prepared to serve a rapidly expanding global spiritual family, now and into the future.
We are strengthening SRF’s long-term financial resilience, expanding annual fundraising support, engaging more lay members in mission-critical roles, and building robust systems to sustain and grow the work for decades to come.
Update on Plans for a Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign
As many of you know, in October 2024 SRF’s members and friends were invited to participate in a feasibility study and survey regarding our plans to undertake a comprehensive campaign to fund the long-term sustainable growth of Paramahansa Yogananda’s worldwide work.
Since the time of the study, SRF has laid the groundwork to support a multi-year, multimillion-dollar goal. Our working title for this campaign is “Light for the Ages,” a theme that communicates SRF’s commitment to fund projects, programs, and services that will advance Paramahansaji’s vision of spreading a universal spirituality for the emerging global civilization. We look forward to sharing more details with you in the months and years to come.
Your Support Matters
More than 90% of SRF’s operating revenue comes from philanthropy — from the generosity of donors like you. Your support directly funds the services, programs, monastic care, publications, youth outreach, translations, and sacred properties that bring light to the lives of seekers around the world.
Your support matters deeply. Our goal is to grow in a sustainable manner. With increased philanthropic support, we can continue the momentum of recent years — ensuring that new initiatives flourish and that our offerings remain vibrant and available to all.
We invite you to consider these ways to give:
1. One-Time Gift
Every donation makes a difference.
2. Monthly Contribution
We invite you to join our community of monthly supporters. The assurance of your regular and ongoing support allows SRF to effectively plan and expand.
If you are already a monthly donor, thank you! If you are able, please consider the added support of increasing your monthly contribution. For any changes to your recurring donation, please call Membership Services at +1 (818) 549-5151.
3. Planned Giving and Large Gifts
Give a major philanthropic gift today — or a planned gift for tomorrow — to help ensure the success of SRF for generations to come! We invite you to enter your information below and staff from the Department of Philanthropic Planning will be glad to assist you.
Reflections From Members
Yogananda’s teachings — his life and his message — bring such peace to my heart, such joy to my life, and such hope for this world.
Paramahansa Yogananda has changed my life, quenched my thirst, and brought me closer than ever back to God. I am forever grateful for all of you preserving and expanding his great vision to reach so many across this world.
The world is currently going through a tremendous struggle. Having Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings and the many online offerings of SRF is an enormous blessing. We are so grateful for all Paramahansaji has given us.
I am enthusiastic to do my part to be part of the light and solution to these troubled times.
Contributions in response to Self-Realization Fellowship’s November 2025 Appeal are for the general support of SRF. As such, gifts shall be designated as, and remain, unrestricted and can be utilized for purposes SRF determines. Donations designated for this Appeal received later than approximately twelve months after the mailing date of the Appeal will be credited to SRF’s most recent general appeal at that time.
Self-Realization Fellowship is recognized as exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity pursuant to Sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code by the Internal Revenue Service. Self-Realization Fellowship’s federal tax identification number with the Internal Revenue Service is 95-1942336. Accordingly, gifts and bequests to Self-Realization Fellowship are deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law for federal income tax and estate tax purposes, respectively. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your gift or bequest based on your own circumstances.