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Date: September 2, 2005
TAMPA, FL: The Hindu American
Foundation (HAF) released today a guide intended to assist
Hindu religious organizations in participating in the federal
Faith-based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) program. Entitled
"Faith-based and Community Initiatives in the United States:
A Guide for Hindu Organizations", HAF members stated that
report is aimed at offering a single point of reference to
an otherwise complex FBCI program and specifically informing
Hindu Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) of the steps required
to prepare for the grant process, identify funding sources,
write grant proposals and comply with post application rules
and regulations.
"Hindu organizations have
been absent from the list of grantees under the FBCI program
thus far, primarily because of a lack of awareness of the
FBCI program and the associated grant application process,"
said Nikhil Joshi, a member of the HAF Board of Directors.
"This report will facilitate the active participation of Hindu
FBOs by providing a step by step instructional resource for
the FBCI process."
Hindu participation in the
FBCI program has been absent thus far according to the leaders
at HAF. They felt that this absence reflects a relative lack
of integration of Hindus into the mainstream. Acknowledging
some concerns that the FBCI process is dominated by Judeo-Christian
groups and that the entire program compromises separation
of church and state, HAF members nevertheless felt that as
the program enters its sixth year, participation is necessary
to actually confirm a Hindu presence in the mainstream and
increase general understanding about Hinduism.
"If explicitly Hindu FBOs
actively reach out to the community at large and engage in
the FBCI process, Hindus will benefit from increased awareness
of their continuing service projects and spread understanding
of their pluralistic and tolerant ideals," said Swaminathan
Venkataraman, member of HAF's Executive Council and chief
contributor to this report. "Hindu FBOs are widely involved
in their community, and FBCI funding will help expand these
programs without compromising religious identity."
This report provides a comprehensive
guide for navigating the FBCI grant application process and
provides links to important training resources that will enable
any interested Hindu organization to develop a professional
and sustainable FBCI program. "Hindu FBOs should fully expect
to take several training sessions, mostly available for free
or a nominal fee, in matters such as grant proposal writing,
accounting and book keeping tasks, in order to prepare themselves
for the program," said Mr. Venkataraman. "Other key skills
that Hindu FBOs must seek to develop include the ability to
form partnerships, building an effective project evaluation
plan into the proposal and proper accounting of funds and
documentation so as to maintain eligibility for future funding."
HAF representatives will
be available to help Hindu FBOs with their initial applications.
The guide is eventually intended to be a self-help tool and
training programs that are referenced in this guide will be
the primary source of learning. HAF will also publish occasional
ongoing updates on the FBCI program, important policy changes
and special programs that are relevant to Hindus.
Hindu organizations interested
in obtaining a copy of the report should visit:
http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/contact.php
and provide contact information The report will be emailed
to them shortly afterwards.
HAF is a non-profit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3) organization not aligned or affiliated with any
political entity, party or organization.
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