Feast of Alá’/Loftiness-March 1, 2025
Bahá’í National Fund Update
As of February 22, $35.6M has been contributed towards the Bahá’í National Fund goal of $50M
(For fiscal year 2024-25).
As of February 22, we are $14.4M short of meeting the $50M goal for the year with two 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. 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.
Please join the Office of the Treasurer for a Community Town Hall with the National Treasurer, Dr. Robert C. Henderson. This virtual town hall will provide the Friends an opportunity to hear updates on the ongoing work of the Nine-Year Plan and the impact of the Funds of the Faith on this work. This quarter's Town Hall will include examples of the society-building activities being carried out at the Triangle Regional Baháʼí Training Institute. Dr. Henderson will be joined by Mrs. Taraneh Akhavan and Mr. Pierre Pickens, members of the Atlantic Regional Baháʼí Council. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
We look forward to being together on Thursday, March 6 at 11:30 am Central.
All are welcome!
You can contribute to the Fund in a tax-efficient way while making a meaningful impact. Here are two effective giving options:
🔹 Donor-Advised Fund (DAF): Donate cash or appreciated assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and allow your contribution to grow tax-free. A DAF also simplifies your charitable giving with a single tax document. You can set one up through financial institutions or community foundations.
🔹 Appreciated Securities: If you have held stocks or other securities for over a year, donating them directly to the National Spiritual Assembly can provide significant tax benefits. This includes avoiding capital gains taxes and receiving a charitable deduction.
To explore planned giving options or arrange a presentation through your Local Spiritual Assembly, visit bahaitreasurer.us/planned-giving, email plannedgiving@usbnc.org, or call 847-733-3569.
Recently, two special fundraisers were held in support of the vital work of the Persian Bahá'í Media Service fundraisers. Cold and rainy days were warmed by the loving atmosphere of devoted hosts and friends. Hearts were uplifted by inspiring stories and insights shared by the National Treasurer, Dr. Robert Henderson, and the Director of the Persian Bahá'í Media Service, Mrs. Sana Rouhani.
Through the generosity of the friends, these gatherings resulted in contributions exceeding $150,000, bringing us closer to the $1.7 million goal for this initiative, which is part of the $50 million National Fund goal. Through the loving support of the Friends from across the American Bahá'í Community, we have already reached approximately $1 million toward this vital endeavor.
These gatherings continue to remind us that the Persian Bahá'í Media Service is far more than an initiative that provides videos, media, and information—it is ---- of the heart transforming lives and connecting hearts. The honor of supporting this sacred path of service has been entrusted to the Bahá’ís in the United States by the beloved Universal House of Justice.
We are looking forward to additional gatherings in support of this initiative. In the meantime, we are delighted to share some photos from the events of January as a glimpse into the inspiration and joy they brought.
If you would like to learn more about the Persian Bahá'í Media Service, please email us at bahaitreasurersoffice@usnc.org or call us at (847) 733-3472. We would love to hear from you!
“ALL MUST SURGE, BUT THE YOUTH MUST SOAR"
The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2024
Recently, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís United States convened one of their January meetings in the Triangle Area in order to spend time with the friends who are participating in the many activities supported and nurtured by the Triangle Regional Baháʼí Training Institute, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
One of the many highlights of this memorable weekend was the gathering of the youth from the area with one of the Continental Counselors and all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. During this special evening, several of the youth shared heartfelt and moving stories of how the Regional Training Institute had impacted them personally. One of the youth who had recently found the Bahá’í Faith and has been participating in the activities at the Institute shared: “It has transformed my heart, not only how I live my life when tests arise, but also how I see tests… I now see their purpose in purifying our hearts, helping us grow. Being surrounded by loving and supportive friends here and their prayers keeps me from being discouraged.” Another youth joyfully shared about the “amazing friendships” formed during youth camps and “the Baháʼí family” he had gained, adding he was “eternally grateful.” Another youth who had also found the Faith during the recent years talked about the feeling
of community and how much she had learned from studying the Writings, serving together with other youth, going on home visits, and assisting with children’s classes. She exclaimed, “it has changed the way I see God.”
We are looking for submissions from youth! Please send us your reflections and stories about the Institution of the Fund or youth activities, institutes, and camps. Stories, pictures, and or videos can be sent to bahaitreasurersoffice@usbnc.org.