Date: June 11, 2025

From: Isha Foundation

Isha Foundation is a Tennessee-based non-profit organization that was incorporated in 1998 to support the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of all. Isha Foundation has been offering programs nationwide in 34 states and 57 cities for nearly 30 years. Many of the people who have benefited from the programs support the foundation through monetary contributions and by volunteering their time and skills.

The Foundation established the Isha Institute of Inner-sciences in 2005 in Warren and Van Buren counties. Since then, its footprint has also grown to Grundy and Sequatchie counties. For the last 20 years, the institute has welcomed visitors from across the world and is open to all daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM CT.

We greatly appreciate and value the warm and friendly relations that we have enjoyed with the local community, businesses, and authorities of various departments for the past 20 years—based on mutual respect for one another’s values and beliefs.

Recently, a few individuals have circulated misleading claims in the press, and we feel it is necessary to clarify the facts and settle any lingering concerns among the community.

 Isha has been in conversation with local government and utility departments about the development of Isha’s property. Based on current infrastructure, it is planning for a community of approximately 2,000 people in the foreseeable future across 4 counties. Isha was asked by the utility department to share a master planning document indicating the potential future growth, based on the size of the land we had acquired. The larger number that is sometimes mentioned in the press - 25,000 residents - is only from this potential plan developed for the utility department. It was an aspirational goal and that level of growth would only be possible with the support of the community and the local governments.

All the residents who move into the Isha community work remotely or are retired and place minimal demand on public resources. At the same time, they pay taxes and contribute to the local economy. The community includes individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and spans all age groups—from infants to senior citizens—committed to a lifestyle of health and well-being. Currently, 41 school-aged children live in the community and attend Isha’s on-campus day school.

A public golf course, 15-mile trail system, a park, and a sports complex are being planned as part of Isha Foundation’s commitment to supporting physical well-being. All required environmental safeguards are being followed to ensure that the development is sustainable and in alignment with the surroundings.

For more than 12 years, externally audited financial statements have been filed regularly with both the state of Tennessee and the IRS.

Isha Foundation was audited by the IRS, with auditors spending over two weeks on-site at the Isha Institute. The IRS concluded the audit by confirming that Isha’s operational and financial practices are in compliance with its non-profit status.

Isha has never received any state or federal government grants for any of its projects or infrastructure development. Isha is careful to distinguish between its tax-exempt educational facilities, and its commercial activities that are subject to taxation. Allegations in the press that Isha is not paying taxes are simply inaccurate. In 2024, Isha paid approximately $450,000 in proper ty & sales taxes. It also pays all required and applicable taxes, including sales, hotel/motel taxes. 

Isha Foundation is a volunteer-run organization. Isha’s Board and administrative committee oversee the foundation’s operations across all its activities. There are over two hundred teams, each with coordinators and members consisting of thousands of volunteers managing different functions. Many of the people who have benefited from the Isha programs take on roles in the foundation to volunteer their time. These roles and responsibilities change regularly based on the individuals’ life situations and availability of their time to volunteer for the foundation.

This system ensures the engagement of thousands of volunteers, who run the day-to-day operational tasks of Isha Foundation. Volunteers contribute their time, skills, and funds to support the common goal of creating well-being for all, in a true grass-roots effort. 

Isha Foundation supports the local economy by creating jobs and bringing visitors to the area. Over 100 people are directly employed by Isha, with the majority being locally hired, and more than 300 contractors and subcontractors are engaged for various services. Visitors to the center support nearby restaurants, shops, and other businesses.

As law-abiding citizens of Warren, Van Buren, Grundy and Sequatchie County for over 20 years, transparency matters deeply to us. The Isha community includes people of all age groups, and we have been put in a very difficult situation—especially concerning our children—by the allegations some are making in the press questioning the legitimacy of Isha’s non-profit operations. While these allegations are made by just a few individuals – out of over a million people who have visited and benefited from Isha over the years – these few individuals can cause an outsized public splash in today’s age of social media.

We are committed to upholding our good name and have filed a civil lawsuit against certain individuals who we believe are defaming Isha. While an unfortunate step, we believe that it is the right thing to do when false public statements are being made to harm the reputation of Isha and its many volunteers. And we always have – and always will – cooperate fully with any form of investigation by any governmental authority.

Many volunteers have left lucrative jobs to find a peaceful and fulfilling pace of life at Isha’s facilities in Tennessee. Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State, and our volunteers have experienced 20 years of warmth and friendship from all of you.

We believe the best way to understand one another is through direct dialogue. We invite you to visit and learn about the Isha community, if you are curious. Our beautiful property on the Cumberland Plateau is a treasure we love to share with our neighbors. And for those who may have questions related to the baseless accusations being made by a very (loud) few, we will always make ourselves available to speak with anyone interested in learning the truth.

Respectfully,

Isha Institute – Community Residents and Volunteers