Donations
Towards gift economies
Our donation system – Modelling gift economies & staying in integrity
Our gift
Sun Beings is a gift with which we would like to contribute to these times of deep transformation, challenge and exciting opportunities. A lot of work and time continuously flows into adding to, and maintaining this project. The platform emerged from research I had done towards my personal sourcing of food and clothing, which friends then asked me to share about. Many people are seeking direction and don’t know where to start with the changes they know they need to make. This is why Kate and I feel this website is needed as a compass, a community endeavor, a set of frequency markers and an opportunity for sharing. The feedback we receive from people around the world keeps confirming that. At the same time we have to offer avenues through which our needs can be met and everyone can stay in integrity – we and you. This is where our donation model comes in.
Our effort
There is so much to Sun Beings: engaging with businesses, artists, initiatives and their websites, writing blog posts and newsletters, writing introductions to all the different pages so that you have a context in which to put our offerings, designing the website, sharing our story, communicating with those of you who reach out to us (we love it!), adding and removing initiatives to and from the pioneer platform etc. Despite the simplicity of Sun Beings, there are many ropes running parallel, linked to one another, which together form an ecosystem that develops a life of its own, and which demands continuous mutual nourishment.
What your donation does
With your donation you maintain a balance of giving and receiving for yourself and for us which then ensures that we can continue our work and expand the Sun Beings project while you are nourished through it. Monetary donations cover the costs of website hosting, website design tools etc., and to some extent are needed and used to take care of basic needs of Kate and myself – much of which we source in non-monetary ways already, but it is still impossible for both of us to live entirely outside the financial system. Non-monetary donations give us direction and contribute to the expansion of Sun Beings. In this way we can together provide more support to people who are seeking inspiration and concrete practical suggestions towards positive transformation of their personal life, their family, or community.
The donation model
Sun Beings is a space where you can give what feels in alignment, considering your personal financial situation, your experience with ethical business and positive transformation, and the value this website has for you.
What to give?
Many of us find less and less ways and desire to participate in the financial system while staying true to who we are and what we want to support in this world. Hence many of us are low on money and/or increasingly withdrawing from that way of exchange altogether. This is why it is important to us that you can choose from a diversity of ways to participate in the Sun Beings project, and to give back for what you feel you receive through our work.
Sharing a story…
Are you excited about writing and sharing a short story which you feel conveys challenge and/or success in these times, and which other people may benefit from? If so, take a look at our ‘Share a story’ page.
Sending feedback & business suggestions…
Do you know an artist, business, or project which you feel should be featured on this website? Do you have feedback which may help us make Sun Beings even more exciting, or easier to use, or do you have thoughts about our donation model, community approach, or way of redefining ethics? Have you engaged with any of the initiatives and businesses on the platform and would like to share your experience? Please reach out and Contact us.
Sharing about Sun Beings…
Do you have access to online platforms through which you can share about this website so that more people can benefit from it? Or do you hold physical spaces for groups of people who are part of re-defining ethics and who may seek inspiration or direction in certain aspects of life? Feel free to pass on the link and share about this project. We love it when more people get to know about it.
Writing a community blog post…
We are inviting community blog posts esp. from businesses, people and initiatives which are already featured on Sun Beings, or who are driving positive change but don’t have a website that can be added to the platform. We are particularly curious about posts pertaining to the topics of life outside institutional systems incl. creating and experiencing abundance without money, off-grid living, true animal care, and how art and music can change our societies. Check out our Blog.
Writing a testimonial…
If you have participated in a 1:1 online conversation, or an online group call, then we invite and appreciate sharings about your experience connected to that. You can either send us an email, or use the Contact form. We share the testimonials here.
Contributing financially…
Last but not least financial contributions are welcome and necessary to keep this platform running, and allow Kate and myself to dedicate the time and effort towards it that is needed for it to be a valuable tool and flourishing community in these times.
These are all ways in which you can contribute to this joined endeavor and make yourself a more tangible part of the Sun Beings community – your gifts are much appreciated.
How much to give?
There is no specific type of contribution, or amount of money which is more adequate, or valuable than another. What is important in this donation system is that you decide for yourself, based on your situation, experience and skills, rather than by consulting others, or by comparing yourself to others. There is no minimum donation of any type for using this website, neither do we ask the businesses, projects and initiatives we add for compensation of any type. We don’t put a financial value on our work because there is no such thing. It means something different for every person. The website is a gift that we feel called to share. This is how we contribute to leaving behind a system of commodification of people, gifts, and skills – and of life itself. We feel that everyone should have access to what we offer.
Nothing to give
And if nothing is arising for you, then this website may be a gift to you which is provided by Nature through us to rebalance for the ways in which you have given and are giving to other directions already. Similarly on our end we constantly receive through various avenues. By far not all exchange is direct, or immediate. This is how Nature works which is what forms the foundation for the principles of gift economies.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for being here and for being part of this transformation. Your contributions are much appreciated. For transparency and to express our gratitude we have created a Thank you page to which your name and country are added once your donation has been received, whether it is monetary, or non-monetary.
