National Fund
National Spiritual Assembly
nsa@bahai.org.uk
30 May 2017
15 ‘Aẓamat 174 B.E.
To all believers in the United Kingdom
Dearly loved Friends,
We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good—this is the secret of right living. (Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, 83.)
In its 2017 Annual Report, the National Spiritual Assembly shared that there are some specific needs in various Funds which it wishes to bring to the attention of the community. These are in addition to the more general increases needed to support the growth of the Faith, and are explained below:
Guardian’s Resting Place Maintenance Fund – £300,000
The Guardian’s Resting Place is a sacred charge of the United Kingdom community, which we all feel deeply honoured to care for. The Maintenance Fund covers the day-to-day operational costs of the Guardian’s Resting Place. About £100,000 per annum is required to ensure the ongoing annual care, beauty and maintenance of the entire site.
In a letter dated 15 November 2016, the National Assembly announced to the friends some further significant developments around the site of the Resting Place and it anticipated that the cost will be in the region of £200,000. This work has already commenced and includes the erection of a new office for the custodians, enhanced security, the extension of the paths adjacent to the Resting Place, the placing of gates to reduce the volume of vehicular traffic and the beautification of some of the lands owned by the Faith.
Guardian’s Resting Place Endowment Fund – £250,000
In May 2008, the Universal House of Justice suggested to the National Assembly that “in view of the need to establish a more stable means of income in future for the upkeep of this most important holy place” the National Assembly should “consider the feasibility of establishing an endowment fund for this purpose.” In response to this guidance, an endowment fund was established with the goal of raising £1,300,000 over 10 years, starting from 2011 and to be completed in 2021. At the end of 2016 there was, however, a shortfall of £119,985. In order to bring the Guardian’s Resting Place Endowment Fund back on target, by the end of 2017 approximately £250,000 will be required.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s apartment in Royal York Crescent, Bristol – Refurbishment Phase 1 – £100,000
In a letter dated 20 September 2016, the National Assembly shared with the friends some significant developments concerning the status of the apartment at 17 Royal York Crescent in Bristol, where the beloved Master stayed on two occasions during His visits to Britain in 1911 and 1913. Since the property was acquired, efforts have been under way to begin preserving the apartment as a place of particular historic and spiritual importance, which will in due course be open to the friends for special visits. Further, it stated that “[m]uch work still needs to be done before the apartment will be ready to receive a regular flow of visitors, and we feel sure that the friends will join us in prayers and the raising of the necessary resources to see this project through to completion.”
Phase 1 of the project involves removing all structures and fittings that have been added since the time of the Master’s visit. The aim of the National Assembly is to restore the apartment so that it is closer to the condition it was in at the time of the Master’s visit.
Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) – £200,000
In order to help BIHE students from Iran study at UK universities, the National Assembly has designated a budget of £200,000 for 2017. The National Assembly has recently learnt that BIHE is expanding its scholarship programme starting this autumn.
The National Assembly calls on the friends in the United Kingdom for their continued financial support, and is confident that they will respond through their generous, sacrificial outpourings to meet the financial needs for the year outlined above, as well as the increasing needs of the National Fund as a result of the financial demands of the Five Year Plan.
Should any of the friends wish to contribute specifically towards these projects/funds, this can be done in the following ways:
1. Online – https://admin.bahai.org.uk/donation
2. Cheques
These should be payable to: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom, and posted For the Attention of: The Office of the Treasurer, 27 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PD
3. Regular payment
Please complete a standing order form and we will arrange with your bank for the regular amount to be taken from your account in accordance with your request.
Standing Order forms are available through the following channels:
- Download from: https://admin.bahai.org.uk/donations
- Email: office.treasurer@bahai.org.uk
- Write to the Office of the Treasurer requesting a copy of the form.
4. Bank transfer
Bank Name: Nat West
Sort Code: 60 04 04
Account No: 18188443
Account Name: NSA – Fund account.
If using this method, please use your surname as a reference in order for us to identify the payment. You should also send an email to office.treasurer@bahai.org.uk with details of the amount, the project or fund being contributed to, the date transferred and the name of the contributor(s).
Finally, if you are a taxpayer, the National Spiritual Assembly can obtain a tax refund on your contribution/payment if you complete and return a Gift Aid form to our office. These forms can be downloaded through the web page: https://admin.bahai.org.uk/donations. You can also email office.treasurer@bahai.org.uk or write to the National Office requesting a copy of the form.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Darren Smith,
Treasurer