Feast of Bahá/Splendour-March 20, 2025
Bahá’í National Fund Update
As of March 15th, $38.4M has been contributed towards the Bahá’í National Fund goal of $50M (For fiscal year 2024-25).
With less than six weeks remaining, we are $11.6M short of meeting the $50M goal for the year. 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.
How is your community participating in the Champion Builders Campaign?
Unrestricted (not earmarked) contributions towards the National Fund goal allow for flexibility in supporting the many activities of the Faith. Universal Participation will be the key to achieving this victory.
On March 6th, the Office of the Treasurer hosted a Town Hall webinar during which the Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, joined by members of the Regional Baháʼí Council of the Atlantic States, Mrs. Taraneh Akhavan and Mr. Pierre Pickens, shared insights and vignettes regarding the progress of the Nine Year Plan and examples of the society building activities being carried out at the Triangle Regional Baháʼí Training Institute. Several communities gathered together to participate as a community. We estimate that over 1,200 Friends from all around the country participated in the March 6th webinar and a replay that was hosted on March 16th.
We continue to receive great feedback regarding the webinars, including:
The stories the beautiful youth shared and the story of the mother who took up teaching were so inspirational and heartfelt. Pierre's points on reading the reality of the cluster and the unity of vision were amazing, along with the support their team received.
The vision of changing the circumstances of a person is far more valuable than the currency, and this touched my heart. Very well done!
I seriously sat at the edge of my chair trying to take in every ounce of wisdom and spiritual insights that were being shared. How I longed to have the rest of my community with me. Thank God you will be showing it again as I want to invite those friends who do not have internet access. Bless you all for your priceless service.
It provided a deeper understanding of how our economical resources can be a benefit at the grassroots level as well as a global level. It was edifying and reassuring.
If you missed the March 6th Town Hall Webinar, for a limited time, please find a copy of the recording at: https://www.bahai.us/community/resources/fund.
We hope you can join us for the next quarterly Town Hall meeting. Please look for the invitation here and also via email.
A Sacred Responsibility for All Generations
“Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will. The testator should head this document with the adornment of the Most Great Name, bear witness therein unto the oneness of God in the Dayspring of His Revelation, and make mention, as he may wish, of that which is praiseworthy, so that it may be a testimony for him in the kingdoms of Revelation and Creation and a treasure with his Lord, the Supreme Protector, the Faithful.” — Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas
Just like our spiritual growth, the obligation to write a will—emphasized by Bahá’u’lláh’s sacred ordinance—applies to everyone, regardless of age. This law was recently explored in a “Young, Broke, and Spiritual” workshop facilitated by the Office of the Treasurer, where youth reflected on its significance and shared these key insights:
"Living a coherent life means harmonizing home, work, and service while upholding divine laws."
"Creating a will is a vital step in securing the future and fostering family unity."
"Discussing final arrangements openly fosters unity, deepens understanding, and prepares us to navigate life's responsibilities with clarity and purpose."
The Office of the Treasurer offers a Writing of a Will booklet as a resource for the friends. You can download a copy 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. Additionally, your Local Spiritual Assembly can request a Writing of a Will/Planned Giving presentation for your community.
“ALL MUST SURGE, BUT THE YOUTH MUST SOAR"
The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2024
We received this beautiful note below recently from a youth after she participated in a Feast, which was followed by a simple fundraiser for the National Fund. Not only were the members of this small community surprised at how much they were able to raise, but more importantly, the focus on the spiritual aspects of giving and on universal participation touched the hearts of all who were present, especially the youth.
“I was at the Feast last Sunday, and I remember feeling very moved by hearing stories about the funds and the impact they make in people’s lives. Growing up in Utah, there is a lot of mention of Hell and an emphasis on the fear of God. This happens in schools, books, and so much more, making it almost impossible not to be around it while growing up. However, I am lucky enough to have been raised with an emphasis on the love of God, and how we do good deeds and treat others with love because of how much we love God. The only fear people should have about God is not loving Him enough. Hearing the letter made me reflect on this and realize how important it is for other youth to grow up with the same privilege I had. That is why the fund is so important, because the more people sacrifice and donate, the more resources the Bahá’í Faith has to spread the word of Bahá’u’lláh. Every person deserves to be raised loving God and having a deep desire to live by His principles, not out of fear, but out of love.”
YOUTH CORNER
We are looking for submissions from youth! Please send us your reflections and stories about the Institution of the Fund. Stories, pictures, and or videos can be sent to bahaitreasurersoffice@usbnc.org.