The Bahá'í Fund

Bahá’ís consider the opportunity of contributing to the Bahá’í Fund as a spiritual privilege reserved for those who have recognized Bahá’u’lláh. Consequently, no contributions in any form for the advancement of the Bahá’í Faith can be accepted from any persons who are not registered as Bahá’ís.

Not infrequently, Bahá’í assemblies have donations pressed on them by non-Bahá’ís who are appreciative of one or another of the community's programs. In such instances, the donors are urged to divert the funds to a public charity. In the case of anonymous donors, the Bahá’í administration puts the contributions into a public charity.

Only with regard to programs that serve the social, economic or educational needs of society in general can Bahá’í agencies accept and use funds from non-Bahá’í courses. This policy heightens the individual members' feeling of identification with, and personal responsibility for, the work undertaken by the community.

Voluntary participation is the key to the financing of the Bahá’í Faith's many programs. At the beginning of the Bahá’í year, each local or national spiritual assembly decides on the budget required to carry out the projects for that particular year, whether related to teaching goals, property purchase and development projects, administrative expenses, or community services. These needs are then announced to the Bahá’í community.

The professional "fund-raising" often associated with religious and charitable organizations is not permitted in a Bahá’í community. Only general appeals may be made; individual canvassing is prohibited.

All contributions are voluntary, and anything suggestive of psychological manipulation is condemned. Moreover, the contributions are kept confidential between the individual or family and the treasure of the institution to whom the contribution is made.