After many years of prayer and planning, it’s time to Power Our Mission.

Our retreat center stands at a crossroads. Rising utility costs threaten to drain resources from our core mission: providing a spiritual oasis where thousands find rest, renewal, and grace each year. But there’s another path—one that St. Francis himself would walk with us.

For nearly a decade, San Damiano Retreat has envisioned a future where the sun itself sustains our sacred work—much as St. Francis saw divine presence in all creation. That future begins now.

This spring, we’re installing a solar system that will:

• Eliminate 75% of our utility costs for the next 30 years
• Save over $3.6 million that stays in ministry, not utility bills
• Prevent 1,585 tons of CO2 emissions—equivalent to planting 1,229 trees
• Protect our mission from escalating energy costs forever
• Secure sustainability from an environmental & financial perspective

But we need your help!

Please help us reach our goal of $250,000 to offset financing costs by contributing your generous restricted donation to us today.

SOLAR SAINT – $25,000+ Your transformational gift powers our entire retreat center for a month and sets an example that inspires others. You’ll be recognized as a founding benefactor of San Damiano’s sustainable future.

CHAIRA’S LANTERN – $10,000-$24,999 Fund 16 solar panels that will generate clean energy for 30+ years—long after we’re all gone, your gift will still be powering moments of grace.

CREATION KEEPER – $5,000-$9,999 Cover one week of solar electricity annually. That’s 52 retreatants housed, fed, and transformed—powered by your commitment to sustainable ministry.

MISSION MULTIPLIER – $1,000-$4,999 Your gift reduces financing costs, creating a 1.4x multiplier effect—every dollar you give frees up $1.40 for retreat programs and operations.

FRANCISCAN FRIEND – $5 – $999 Join dozens of others whose combined gifts make this vision reality. St. Francis rebuilt a church with small stones—you’re one of ours.

EVERY GIFT MATTERS.

Whether $25, $250, or $25,000, you’re part of a community choosing both environmental stewardship and ministry sustainability. That’s pure Franciscan wisdom.