Feast of Mulk/Dominion-February 6, 2025
Bahá’í National Fund Update
As of January 29th, $31M has been contributed towards the Bahá’í National Fund goal of $50M (For fiscal year 2024-25).
As of January 29th, the contributions to the National Baha'i Fund were about 4.5% behind this time last year and $19M short of meeting the $50M goal for the year with three months remaining. We are confident that we can all come together as Champion Builders of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, to meet the goal set before our community. Universal Participation is the key to achieving this victory.
Unrestricted (not earmarked) contributions towards the National Fund goal allow for flexibility in supporting the many activities of the Faith.
The Office of the Treasurer is pleased to introduce a new Children’s Feast resource page on our website. This dedicated space will feature engaging educational materials, including games, coloring pages, and videos, designed to support children's learning about the Fund in a fun and meaningful way.
Is your community planning a fundraiser?
Fundraising activities are a wonderful way for the friends to foster the spirit of Universal Participation, build bonds of unity and fellowship within the community, and participate in the vital task of achieving the annual fund goal. Fundraising efforts can draw on the creativity of the friends and on their love for the Institution of the Fund. They can serve as a venue for everyone - children, youth, adults, and the elderly - to participate in contributing to the funds, even if they are not able to do so monetarily. Visit the Fundraising tab of the Office of the Treasurer website for additional ideas and guidance regarding Fundraising.
Recently, one of the friends wrote a beautiful story regarding a special fundraising effort. We are happy to share some excerpts from the story below. Read the full story on our website and/or an upcoming issue of the American Bahá’í.
“A chickasaw plum tree that had stood at the Gainesville Bahá’í Center had died. One of the friends took the wood from the inside of the trunk of the tree and carved beautiful spoons and offered them to the unit convention to sell for the fund… These spoons are not just any spoons. They come from the heart of a man. They are a manifestation of love. Love of nature. Love of trees. Love of the beauty of wood. Love of the working of the wood. Love of giving the gift of the spoons to the love of service to the Fund and the love of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. “He who is the Eternal Truth—exalted be His glory—hath made the fulfillment of every undertaking on earth dependent on material means.” - Bahá’u’lláh
This is indeed a material world but there are many creative ways to give to the Fund. The gift of the wooden spoons is an example.”
“ALL MUST SURGE, BUT THE YOUTH MUST SOAR"
The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2024
YOUTH CORNER
Recently, a member of the Office of the Treasurer's Outreach Team met with a group of youth in Mission Viejo, California. These youth are active in the society-building efforts of their Bahá’í Community through their support of the Children's Classes, Junior Youth Empowerment Programs, and other community service projects. We were so grateful to receive the following thoughtful reflections from them after the meeting.
“We began to reflect on some of the ways that we can increase understanding about this topic [of youth being connected to the Funds of the Faith]. We brought up the topic of the funds at a youth devotional gathering so that a larger group of us could consult together. We all agreed that there is currently a disconnect between youth and the funds, primarily because there is a lack of knowledge about their importance. Many of us felt that we didn’t know much about the topic and that, because of that, we simply don’t think about the funds very often. We believe there should be a greater emphasis on educating youth about the funds of the Faith. One way we thought would be helpful is to utilize the many youth spaces that already exist, such as camps or devotionals. Youth are currently coming together in many different ways and meeting regularly, and it could be useful to tap into these gatherings to talk more about the funds and educate the youth, so many of whom could feel a stronger connection to the Funds of the Faith."
We are looking for more submissions from youth! Please send us your reflections and stories about the Institution of the Fund, institute activities, or youth gatherings. Stories, pictures, and or videos can be sent to bahaitreasurersoffice@usbnc.org.
Planned Giving
The Writing of a Will and Testament Booklet Available
In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh proclaims: “Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will.” This sacred act is a profound affirmation of our steadfast faith in Bahá’u’lláh, the Dayspring of God’s Revelation. By fulfilling this “Most Great Law,” we not only strengthen our connection to the Blessed Beauty but also create a pathway to unity among our loved ones. Moreover, it offers us the unique opportunity to leave an enduring legacy, contributing to the progress of the Faith and shaping a future inspired by divine purpose.
The Office of the Treasurer offers a Writing of a Will and Testament booklet as a resource for the friends. You can download a copy by clicking on the links below or at https://bahaitreasurer.us/bequests-and-wills. Alternatively, visit https://bahaitreasurer.us/planned-giving and click on Bequests/Wills.
For further assistance, please email plannedgiving@usbnc.org or call 847-733-3569.