FUNDER UPDATE
Deep Root Center is working to protect two Oakland parcels that directly support our charitable, educational, cultural, and wellness mission. These parcels are not passive property. They support land stewardship, plant education, meditation, Qigong, Tai Chi, Hula, community care, and a long-term nonprofit presence in the neighborhood.
Thanks to community donations, Deep Root Center was able to meet its bridge support obligation. That support helped us hold the line during a critical moment and protect the land while the broader exemption and fundraising work continues.
The work is not finished. We were denied the exemption for 2026 and are eligible for review again next year. Our focus now is to document community-serving use of the land, continue holding mission-aligned events, and keep fundraising toward the full property-related obligation of $77,992.36.
LATEST UPDATE — JULY 2026
Deep Root Center was denied the property tax exemption for 2026. While this is disappointing, the process is not over. We are eligible to be reviewed again next year, and our work now shifts toward building a stronger public-use record for the next review cycle.
Over the coming year, we will hold and document community events on the land that clearly show charitable, educational, cultural, wellness, and stewardship use. This documentation will include community gatherings, plant education, land stewardship, meditation, Qigong, Tai Chi, Hula, and related mission-based activities.
We are grateful to share that, through donations, Deep Root Center was able to meet its bridge support obligation. That support helped us hold the land during a critical moment. We are still fundraising toward the full property-related obligation of $77,992.36 while preparing the strongest possible case for next year’s exemption review.
If you want to donate directly to help us avoid GoFundMe's fees and processing time, please donate here.
Through donations, we were able to meet our bridge support obligation. We are still fundraising toward the full property-related obligation of $77,992.36 while preparing for next year’s exemption review.
Deep Root Center was denied the property tax exemption for 2026 and is eligible for review again next year. We are now documenting community-serving use of the land to strengthen the next review cycle.
Deep Root Center originally worked to meet a $24,600.64 installment deadline to initiate a county payment plan. Through community support and temporary bridge support, we were able to meet the immediate deadline and prevent the situation from escalating at that moment.
We have now satisfied our bridge support obligation through donations. This is an important milestone and a direct result of the community standing with Deep Root Center.
At the same time, the 2026 exemption request was denied. Deep Root Center is up for review again next year, and we will spend the coming year holding and documenting community events that demonstrate the land’s direct use for charitable, educational, cultural, wellness, and stewardship purposes.
Fundraising continues while the next review cycle is prepared. The goal is to protect the land, resolve remaining property-related obligations, and preserve this Oakland nonprofit asset for long-term community benefit.
Considering a leadership gift, DAF recommendation, or bridge loan? Contact Sheldon directly.
