Guidance on Fundraising

There are many possibilities for Bahá’í fundraising activities that match the guidance. The careful planning of these many creative ways to meet our Fund goals as individuals, institutions and communities will provide wonderful opportunities to consult and deepen on the devotional aspects of contributing to the Fund. The need to link our material work with the creation of the Divine civilization promised by Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation is prevalent in the Writings and requires special attention that should be a source of inspiration for our work.

Guidance on the Requisites of Spiritual Fundraising

  • ■ Strive to create love in the hearts of the believers?

    “Strive, therefore, to create love in the hearts in order that they may become glowing and radiant. When that love is shining, it will permeate other hearts even as this electric light illumines its surroundings. When the love of God is established, everything else will be realized. This is the true foundation of all economics. Reflect upon it. Endeavor to become the cause of the attraction of souls rather than to enforce minds. Manifest true economics to the people. Show what love is, what kindness is, what true severance is and generosity. This is the important thing for you to do.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 239

    ■ Build and strengthen the relationship between the believers and the institutions?

    “…It is only evident that unless the flow of donations is regularly maintained by means of generous and continual support by all the believers, individually and collectively, the National Fund will never be able to meet the needs…of the Cause.”— Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 3 February 1941 to the National Spiritual Assembly of United States and Canada

    “The supply of funds, in support of the national Treasury, constitutes, at present, the lifeblood of these nascent institutions which you are labouring to erect. Its importance cannot, surely, be overestimated. Untold blessings shall no doubt crown every effort directed to that end.” — Shoghi Effendi, Compilation of Compilations

    ■ Uphold the dignity of the Faith?

    “The House of Justice feels that it is important for the friends never to lose sight of the fact that contributing to the funds of the Faith is a ‘spiritual responsibility’ and ‘privilege’ of profound significance in the spiritual life of the individual believer, and care must be taken not to trivialize this aspect of Bahá’í life by applying to it too many “gimmicks” or treating it with a lack of dignity. At the same time, the Assemblies should not dampen the enthusiasm of those friends who, having only slender financial resources, devise imaginative ways of earning money for the work of the Faith.

    Within this framework, there is clearly a difference in the range of activities open to individuals and those which it would be befitting and dignified for a Spiritual Assembly to engage in or sponsor.” — The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 26 June 1982, Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities

    ■ Preserve the devotional aspect of giving to the Fund?

    “Such gatherings for collections of funds are permissible if it is done with a true spirit of sacrifice, not when the audience is especially aroused to a frenzy and mob psychology is used to induce them to pay. Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated that no pressure should be used upon the friends and psychological pressure falls under that category. But there is much difference between such gatherings often used by religious bodies, and a true quiet, prayerful atmosphere when a person is, of his own accord, aroused to make some sacrifice. The distinction is very delicate, but it is for the Chairman to use his power to see that one desirable form is not corrupted into the other. All the activities of the Cause should be carried through in a dignified manner.

    Shoghi Effendi is sure that the funds gathered at the last Convention were not due to the play of mob psychology but to the prayerful attitude of the friends and their desire to make further sacrifice.” — On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 28 May 1932 to an individual

    ■ Remain consistent with Bahá’í principles?

    “Giving toward the Fund, therefore, is a ‘spiritual privilege’ not open to those who have not accepted Bahá’u’lláh of which no believer should deny himself. It is both a responsibility and a source of bounty. This is an aspect of the Cause which we feel is an essential part of teaching and deepening of new believers. The importance of contributing resides in the degree of sacrifice of the giver, the spirit of devotion with which the contribution is made, and the unity of the friends in this service; these attract the confirmations of God and enhance the dignity and self-respect of the individuals and the community.” — The Universal House of Justice, 7 August 1985 letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies

    ■ Promote unity among believers?

    “Until the public sees in the Bahá’í Community a true pattern, in action, of something better than it already has, it will not respond to the Faith in large numbers.” — Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 13 March 1944 to an individual, Promoting Entry by Troops

    There are many possibilities for Bahá’í fundraising activities. The careful planning of these many creative ways to meet our Fund goals as individuals, institutions and communities will provide wonderful opportunities to consult and deepen on the devotional aspects of contributing to the Fund. The need to link our material work with the creation of the Divine civilization promised by Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation is prevalent in the Writings and requires special attention that should be a source of inspiration for our work.

Insights from the Writings

  • Giving to the National Bahá’í Fund is a spiritual privilege reserved only for those who openly proclaim their recognition of Baháʼu'lláh and to the establishment of His World Order.

    “Our contributions to the Faith are the surest way of lifting once and for all time the burden of hunger and misery from mankind, for it is only through the System of Bahá’u’lláh — Divine in origin — that the world can be gotten on its feet, and want, fear, hunger, war, etc., be eliminated.”~ Shoghi Effendi

    The Universal House of Justice reminds us that the call to carry out our work “will evoke a response in very heart that aches at the wretched condition of the world”...and that “there is reassurance in the knowledge that, amidst the disintegration, a new kind of collective life is taking shape which gives practical expression to all that is heavenly in human beings.”

  • “To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues.” ~ Bahá’u’lláh

    I desire distinction for you. The Bahá’ís must be distinguished from others of humanity. But this distinction must not depend upon wealth, that they should become more affluent than other people. I do not desire for you financial distinction. It is not an ordinary distinction I desire: not scientific, commercial, industrial distinction. For you I desire spiritual distinction, that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in morals. In the love of God you must become distinguished from all else. You must become distinguished for loving humanity, for unity and accord, for love and justice. In brief, you must become distinguished in all the virtues of the human world - for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice and fidelity, for firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to the human world, for love toward every human being, for unity and accord with all people, for removing prejudices and promoting international peace. Finally, you must become distinguished for heavenly illumination and for acquiring the bestowals of God. I desire this distinction for you. This must be the point of distinction among you. ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

  • “It is therefore imperative for the individual American believer…to step forward, and dedicate their resources, their time, their very lives to a Cause of such transcendence that no human eye can even dimly perceive its glory. Let them resolve, instantly and unhesitantly, to place, each according to his circumstances, his share on the altar of Bahá’í sacrifice. ~Shoghi Effendi

    “...contributing to the Fund should constitute an integral part of the spiritual life of every Bahá’í and be regarded as the fulfillment of a fundamental spiritual obligation…We urge all the friends to give deep thought to the importance of supporting the Cause financially and to the effect that Bahá’í activities have on the condition of the entire race.” ~The Universal House of Justice

  • 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

    The universal participation of the believers in every aspect of the Faith - in contributing to the Fund, in teaching, deepening, living the Bahá’í life, administering the affairs of the community, and above all, in the life of prayer and devotion to God - will endow the Bahá’í community with such strength that it can overcome the forces of spiritual disintegration which are engulfing the non-Bahá’í world, and can become an ocean of oneness that will cover the face of the planet.

  • Whether it’s an individual initiative or a community-backed idea, projects often need resources to get started. While the institutions are certainly an option for finding support, keep in mind that the institutions play a guiding role.

    “Individual initiative is a pre-eminent aspect of this power; it is therefore a major responsibility of the institutions to safeguard and stimulate it. Similarly, it is important for individuals to recognize and accept that the institutions must act as a guiding and moderating influence on the march of civilization. In this sense, the divine requirement that individuals obey the decisions of their Assemblies can clearly be seen as being indispensable to the progress of society. Indeed, individuals must not be abandoned entirely to their own devices with respect to the welfare of society as a whole; neither should they be stifled by the assumption of a dictatorial posture by members of the institutions.” From a letter dated 19 May 1994 from the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly. ~The Universal House of Justice

  • “As to the sale of personal items for the benefit of Bahá’í funds, we begin with the principle that any believer may sell personal services or goods to anyone and do with the proceeds as he wishes, including giving any or all of them to Bahá’í purposes. In doing so, however, he should not represent to non-Bahá’í’s that such a sale is for the benefit of the Bahá’í fund as it is also a principle that it is improper to solicit funds from non-Bahá’í’s in the name of the Faith for any purpose. This includes the sale of food and admission to entertainment.”

    Letter written on behalf of Universal House of Justice, April 1, 1968 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama April 1, 1968

  • “First there is the principle that any believer may sell personal services or property to anyone and do with the proceeds as he wishes, including giving any or all of them to Bahá’í purposes. Thus, if a Bahá’í concert artist gives a concert to which admission is charged, he is free, if he so wishes, to give the money so earned to the Fund or to any charity of his choice. In giving the concert, however, he should not represent to non-Bahá’ís that the concert is for the benefit of the Bahá’í Fund or is given on behalf of Bahá’ís for a charity, which brings us to the second principle: that it is improper for Bahá’ís to solicit funds from non-Bahá’ís in the name of the Faith for any purpose. If a non-Bahá’í insists on making a monetary contribution it may be accepted with the express understanding that it will be used only for charitable or philanthropic.”

    — The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 19 March 1973 to a Local Spiritual Assembly, Lights of Guidance

  • "There is no objection to the friends' holding an auction among Bahá'is for the purpose of contributing the proceeds to the fund, nor is there any objection to Bahá'is' selling their own property to non-Bahá's for its fair market value and later contributing the proceeds to the fund, although no representation should be made at the sale about the proceeds going to the Bahá'i fund. The House of Justice feels, however, that it is important for the friends never to lose sight of the fact that contributing to the funds of the Faith is a spiritual responsibility and privilege of profound significance in the spiritual life of the individual believer, and care must be taken not to trivialize this aspect of Bahá'i life or to treat it with a lack of dignity. At the same time, the Assemblies should not dampen the enthusiasm of those friends who, having only slender financial resources, devise imaginative ways of earning money for the work of the Faith.

    "As your Assembly is considering sponsoring an auction under its direct auspices, the House of Justice suggests that you should ascertain whether the holding of auctions is legally permissible, since we are informed that in some countries it is legal only if conducted by a licensed auctioneer."

    (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Chile, July 8, 1984)

  • “There is no objection to an Assembly’s giving contributions in kind to a professional auctioneer to sell and then to use the proceeds for the fund. Whether it would be proper to hold such an “ordinary auction” among Bahá’í’s would depend upon the Assembly’s judgment as to whether a properly dignified atmosphere could be observed and also whether it could be construed as bringing pressure to bear upon friends to contribute which would, of course, be undesirable. In general, the House of Justice prefers not to encourage such auctions for the Fund.”— Letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National SpiritualAssembly, May 26, 1982

  • “Undoubtedly there will be a time on the program of each Conference in which the needs of the Fund will be called to the attention of the friends, and facilities will be provided where the believers can quietly give contributions or record pledges. There should be no public display of contributing or pledging.”— The Universal House of Justice letter dated 3 April 1967 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. 14 February 2019

  • The holding of raffles has not been specifically mentioned in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and the Universal House of Justice has not legislated on the matter. However, the House of Justice does not at present consider it desirable for Bahá’í institutions to raise funds by this method.

    (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, January 15, 1984)

  • “In review of your Minutes for 15 March 1967, we note Item 25-8 in which the Treasurer suggests a lottery as a means of disposing of a Persian carpet which has been given to you by one of the believers. We do not feel this is an appropriate way in which to raise funds…As to participation in Bingo games by a Local Spiritual Assembly with the intention of contributing to the Fund, we do not feel it is appropriate for funds for the Faith to be raised through games of chance or raffles.”

    — A letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, letter dated 20 November 1980.

  • “...Neither do we think it is proper for a Bahá' institution to sponsor a 'garage sale of personal items contributed by believers for the benefit of a Bahá'i fund. This is not to say that an Assembly may not sell items of property to non-Bahá'is for fair market value, but rather that non-Bahá'fs should not be led to purchase items at a fund-raising sale on the representation that the proceeds are to be used for Bahá'í purposes.”

    (Ibid.)

  • “There is, however, a wide range of fund-raising activities in which Bahá’í’s may engage. For example, Bahá’í institutions are free to approach governments and institutions which hold themselves out as wishing to fund charitable activities, to apply for grants to assist in specific humanitarian projects. A Bahá’í School which has both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í pupils is free to raise funds for its own development by such activities and concerts, etc…or by appeals to parents; in this instance a humanitarian institution is clearly defined, and the funds are being collected in its name rather than in the name of the Faith.”— Letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, December 30, 1984 to a National Spiritual Assembly.