Lotus Share Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

Activities and Curriculum: In 2020, a group of parents recognized the profound impact of technology and social media on children and sought to create a solution that celebrates childhood through community engagement and nature. This led to the creation of Lotus Share, a Waldorf-inspired outdoor program for children aged 3 to 6. Our program emphasizes a family-like environment enriched with nature, play, rhythm, music, arts, circle time, storytelling, the French language, and friendship. Our primary goal is to recognize each child's uniqueness and help them reach their fullest potential. Inclusivity and Community Building: Lotus Share is a non-profit organization that welcomes everyone. Our community includes teachers, children, families, and staff who support all dimensions of human differences, including culture, race, language, ability, learning styles, ethnicity, family structure, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, and socioeconomic differences. We come together for board meetings, educational discussions, potlucks, festivals, and to provide children with the village they need to grow up peacefully. Program Leadership and Structure: Mare Louman, a former preschool teacher at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School, leads the program. She is supported by Stephanie White and Andrea Poli, maintaining a 6:1 child-toteacher ratio, with no more than 12 children per day. The program operates Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 3:30 pm, featuring a play-based daily rhythm that includes preparation for lunch, snack time, circle time, daily activities such as painting, drawing, music, gardening, or life science, lunch, rest time, and storytelling. We also invite guest teachers for specialized activities, such as survival skills, gardening, and stewardship of the land. Parents actively participate, and a music class is held every other week. Location and Activities: Our outdoor site at 330 Westdale Drive in Bonny Doon includes a Yome structure for rest time and rainy days. All activities are conducted outdoors, with a focus on environmental education. Weekly hiking days to state parks and beaches allow children to engage with nature, clean beaches and forests, study local ecosystems, and learn about local wildlife and natural vegetation. Field trips to local farms, the Monterey Aquarium, and other cultural sites further enrich the children's experience. Community festivals and potlucks are integral to our program, fostering a strong sense of community. Funding and Financial Structure: Lotus Share is funded by the fees of participating families. Originally established as a cooperative, we continue to offer trades to ensure accessibility for all socioeconomic groups. 100 of our expenses are allocated to program activities. With the not-for-profit status, we hope to raise our donation and fundraising activities. This will allow us to serve children through sliding pay scales and fairly compensate our staff based on wages in the area. Alignment to our Mission and Vision: Educational Purpose: Our Waldorf-inspired curriculum nurtures intellectual, emotional, and physical growth through play, nature, and arts. Cultural Enrichment: Teaching French and embracing diverse cultures broadens children's understanding of the world. Charitable Purpose: We ensure inclusive access to quality education for families from diverse backgrounds and foster community support through shared experiences. Environmental Education: Our program instills respect and care for the environment, promoting stewardship and awareness. Through these activities, Lotus Share fulfills its mission to provide holistic, inclusive, and enriching education in a community that values diversity and connection to nature.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 100%; rating input score 100

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.6%; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.03; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: Limited
• Officer compensation ratio: 47%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.6% per year; rating input score 100; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 77% per year; rating input score 100; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 57.8% per year; rating input score 100; 95th percentile among comparable filings