Feast of Kamál (Perfection) - August 1, 2026
Bahá’í National Fund Update
As of July 28, contributions to the funds rolling up to the National Bahá’í Fund totaled $8.3 million. This represents a decrease of about 1% below the contributions to these same funds at this time last year. At least a 3.8% increase is necessary to meet the new $54 million goal and cover the operational costs of the National and Regional Funds without interruption. It is important to note that this does not include special initiatives, such as the restoration of Bosch Bahá’í School.
The myriad challenges facing humanity can weigh heavily on our hearts. Yet amid growing instability and uncertainty, the Bahá’í community continues to move forward with hope and determination, knowing that every act of service and sacrifice contributes to the advancement of Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for humanity.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your continued support. We are confident that we can once again arise, together through our prayers, our service, and our material contributions, to meet the needs of the Faith
As Bahá’ís, we have the privilege of having a direct relationship with each of the senior funds of the Faith, while maintaining a direct focus on continually supporting the National Fund. Unrestricted (not earmarked) contributions towards the National Fund goal allow for flexibility in supporting the many activities of the Faith.
Moments of Reflection
The unity of the believers, rich and poor alike, in their support of the Fund will be a source of spiritual confirmations far beyond our capacity to envisage.
~The Universal House of Justice
Talking About the Funds
It is important to gain a clear vision of the kind of community that we are developing and to know that we can make valuable contributions to its realization. The Universal House of Justice, in their letter dated November 28, 2023, explained that the task of building a mature, peaceful, just, and united world is a vast undertaking in which every person and nation must be able to participate. As Baháʼu’lláh tells us:
“It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which is written into reality and action…Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.”
“Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us.” ~ The Universal House of Justice, in Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 37-38
For Reflection:
The Universal House of Justice reminds us that every believer can contribute to the advancement of the Cause in meaningful ways. How does recognizing that every contribution matters - regardless of its amount - change the way we view our own participation in the life of the Fund and the progress of the community?
Planned Giving
Contributing Through Your IRA
In the previous bulletin, we explored ways to support the Faith through future gifts, such as bequests and beneficiary designations. There is also a Planned Giving option that could allow some of the friends to make a meaningful gift today.
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to make a gift directly from your IRA to the National Spiritual Assembly through an IRA Charitable Rollover. For many, this can be a simple, tax-wise way to support the Faith while satisfying all or part of a required minimum distribution.
If this option resonates with you, we invite you to explore it further in a spirit of reflection and consultation. Learn more, including how to initiate this type of contribution:
bahaitreasurer.us/planned-giving
plannedgiving@usbnc.org | 847-733-356
Share Your Memories of Bosch Bahá’í School
We were grateful to receive a beautiful story about Bosch. We have shared a section of it below. We would love to hear your stories:
"I had just declared my faith in the Bahá’í Faith, but I needed to be deepened. So I went to a college retreat at Bosch where people my age went to be deepened in their faith and in their knowledge of the teachings and history of the Faith. Words cannot possibly describe the laughter, the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the love... Questions and independent investigation of the Faith were encouraged, and I felt like I was in another world! Every morning we would have prayers in a meadow towards the east, and we would take trips to walk in the forest which were SO SO SO spiritual. Our spiritual growth was likened to the growth of the tall and straight redwood trees reaching toward the sun with all their strength and might! We sang songs when we prayed in different groves at night, and we truly learned what it meant to be a Bahá’í I remember I had to return home for a day and then come back to Bosch the day after, and the comparison of the spirit of the Faith and the lack of spirit and materialism of the old world at my parents' house away from Bosch was astounding! We deepened especially on the Writings of Shoghi Effendi and it was totally life changing. I came back never the same from Bosch, never the same.
Share your stories and memories of Bosch by submitting them through our website here: https://bahaitreasurer.us/submit or send them via email to bahaitreasurersoffice@usbnc.org.
Youth Corner
"ALL MUST SURGE, BUT THE YOUTH MUST SOAR"
The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2024
On July 11, 2026, a youth-focused Fund Education workshop was held in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Summer of Service. The Summer of Service is a gathering of youth focused on study, reflection, and consultation for co-creating a positive environment for service. The collaboration between the Office of the Treasurer and the Northern Virginia Summer of Service team was marked by a spirit of inclusion and a sincere desire to connect the youth participants to the Institution of the Fund. Approximately 30 youth (mostly15 to 18-year-olds) participated in the workshop.
One learning from this process was that there is great benefit and value in meeting the youth in youth-defined spaces. In consultation with a member of the Regional Council of the Atlantic States and various Area Teaching Committee and Institute collaborators, it was decided to use this youth gathering to present this workshop, which is normally presented separately. This proved to be a great opportunity to connect with the youth and to hear their thoughts and reflections on the subject.
We are looking for more submissions from YOUth! Please send us your reflections and stories about the Institution of the Fund or recent youth activities/events. Stories, pictures, and or videos can be sent to bahaitreasurersoffice@usbnc.org.