Tibetan Association of Washington

Norling Project

3D Render of the Tibetan Cultural Center

Seattle Tibetan Community center – the Norling project

The Norling Project, a dream of the Tibetan Association of Washington, which aims to build a Community Center to promote Tibetan culture. This project represents a collective desire to establish a physical hub for the Tibetan community in Seattle.

Our Vision is to spread the ‘Compassion Culture of Tibet’ throughout the Northwest. By creating a robust infrastructure for the Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW), we aim to foster a sense of community, preserve our rich cultural heritage, and create a lasting impact for generations to come.

The Seattle Tibetan Community Center will serve as a multi-faceted center to facilitate the preservation of Tibetan language, history, traditions, and culture. It will also support local Tibetans’ educational, economic, health, and social needs while raising awareness about Tibet. The Center will offer a range of programs and services, including language classes, cultural workshops, community events, and social support services, all designed to foster a sense of belonging and cultural continuity.

PROJECT COSTS Project Cost: $2 million —Funding target: $2 Million

Donate towards the realization of the Norling Project

The 14th Dalai LamaThe Need for a Dedicated Tibetan Community Center

  • Cultural Preservation – A dedicated space allows for the preservation and transmission of Tibetan cultural traditions, ensuring their continuation for future generations.
  • Community Gathering – A community hall provides a designated space for gatherings, celebrations, and cultural events, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity.
  • Shared Resources – It creates a central hub for resources, support networks, and information, connecting members of the Tibetan community and strengthening their bonds.

Preserving and Celebrating Tibetan Culture and Traditions

  • Tibetan Language – Language classes and workshops can promote the preservation and transmission of the Tibetan language, ensuring its continued vitality.
  • Traditional Arts – Workshops and demonstrations showcasing traditional Tibetan arts, such as Thangka painting, wood carving, and music, can keep these artistic traditions alive.
  • Religious Practices – The community hall can serve as a space for religious practices and rituals, providing a place for spiritual connection and cultural continuity.
  • Festival Celebrations – Annual celebrations of Tibetan festivals, such as Losar (Tibetan New Year) and Saga Dawa, can strengthen cultural identity and foster community spirit.

Fostering Community Gatherings and ConnectionsYoung tibetan playing a string instrument

  • Social Events – Organize social gatherings, potlucks, and movie nights to create opportunities for members to connect and build relationships.
  • Youth Programs – Develop youth programs that engage young Tibetans in cultural activities, language learning, and community involvement, ensuring the transmission of traditions.
  • Support Networks – Provide a platform for support networks, offering assistance with immigration, education, and employment, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
  • Multi-Purpose Space – The hall should include a large multi-purpose space for events, gatherings, and cultural performances.
  • Classroom & Library – A dedicated classroom and library can facilitate language classes, workshops, and access to Tibetan literature and resources.
  • Kitchen & Dining Area – A kitchen and dining area can serve as a gathering space for social events, potlucks, and cultural celebrations.
  • Outdoor Courtyard – An outdoor courtyard provides a space for relaxation, community events, and cultural celebrations, connecting with nature.

Support our mission and become a part of our giving tree.

Leave your mark and help us grow! Donate today and have your family name inscribed on the leaves of our giving tree. The leaf color representing a placeholder {family name} on top of the leaf

LEVELS

  • Diamond – Above 100k
  • Platinum – donations 50k to 100k
  • Gold – 25k to 50k
  • Silver – 10k to 25k
  • Copper – 5k to 10k

Tibetan young girl getting her hairbraidedFundraising and Community Involvement

  • Community Donations – Reach out to the Tibetan community and seek donations, appealing to their sense of cultural pride and community support.
  • Grant Applications – Explore grant opportunities from foundations and organizations that support cultural preservation and community development.
  • Volunteer Involvement – Encourage community members to volunteer their time and skills, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.

Conclusion and Call to Action

A Tibetan Community Hall in Seattle will serve as a symbol of pride, a gathering place for cultural preservation, and a hub for connection. We encourage everyone to join us in making this vision a reality. Together, let us build a vibrant and enduring center for our community. Our objective for this donation campaign is to raise $2 million

The Tibetan Community Hall timeline

  • Fund Readiness (By January 2025) – Increase our fund readiness. We need financial and material support to purchase a new building. Concept and Planning. Accomplished 50% of our goal to date since inception.
  • Site Purchase (By Feb 2025) – Purchase a site for our new center aka site search, but we still need many donations to make this happen aka fund raising. Work with our commercial non profit realtors to determine the most feasible path
  • Final Timeline (By July 1st 2025) – Sign contract for land or an older church we can renovate, completion of our new facility— Design & Technicals
  • Grand Opening TWA community Sang-sol (By August 2025) – Opening ceremony!

A space for relaxation, community events, and cultural celebrations, connecting with nature. The courtyard can be used for outdoor gatherings, picnics, festivals, and traditional Tibetan ceremonies, creating a sense of community and shared experience.