How to start a Hindu temple?
December 12, 2009 11:05 AM Subscribe
I would like to buy or rent a building to convert to a Hindu temple in my community for the Bhutanese/Nepalese refugees. Problem: I have NO IDEA where to start.
I live in a city of about 50,000 people. We have a refugee resettlement program and in the past 1.5 years a lot of Bhutanese refugees have settled here (maybe 200). I started volunteering with one family about a year ago and have subsequently gotten very involved in their community. They are the fastest growing refugee population in our city.
I live in a very liberal city and I think that most of the Nepalis are very happy here. It's far, far from perfect, but there are community programs that help them obtain cars, English classes, soccer leagues, etc. However, the closest Hindu temple is over 100 miles away. Right now they use a Unitarian church for their holidays. This is a large building and it's not quite full to capacity, but they definitely use the space.
A few people have mentioned that they would love a Hindu temple, but never in a serious way and I don't want to get their hopes up by promising them the sky. But I think it would be really great if they had their own community center/temple! Right now they crowd into each others apartments or use the unitarian church.
Problem is, I don't even know where to start. I am 23 and have never done anything like this before. I asked my dad and he said that I can't apply for grants because it's a religious organization (??). But I don't even know where to start looking for grants! And, how do we even obtain the building? I know it needs to be in an area that's zoned for churches. Is it ridiculous to expect that someone might donate a building? If so, I guess we would rent or buy.. is that where the grants come in? (Obviously I am going to bring this up with the Refugee Resettlement Program, but I wanted to have a little bit of a plan before I did so).
I realize this is 20 questions inside of one question, and I'm not asking for answers to all of them. That was just to demonstrate that I really don't know where to begin and I would love some insight on what needs to happen in order to make this happen.
I live in a city of about 50,000 people. We have a refugee resettlement program and in the past 1.5 years a lot of Bhutanese refugees have settled here (maybe 200). I started volunteering with one family about a year ago and have subsequently gotten very involved in their community. They are the fastest growing refugee population in our city.
I live in a very liberal city and I think that most of the Nepalis are very happy here. It's far, far from perfect, but there are community programs that help them obtain cars, English classes, soccer leagues, etc. However, the closest Hindu temple is over 100 miles away. Right now they use a Unitarian church for their holidays. This is a large building and it's not quite full to capacity, but they definitely use the space.
A few people have mentioned that they would love a Hindu temple, but never in a serious way and I don't want to get their hopes up by promising them the sky. But I think it would be really great if they had their own community center/temple! Right now they crowd into each others apartments or use the unitarian church.
Problem is, I don't even know where to start. I am 23 and have never done anything like this before. I asked my dad and he said that I can't apply for grants because it's a religious organization (??). But I don't even know where to start looking for grants! And, how do we even obtain the building? I know it needs to be in an area that's zoned for churches. Is it ridiculous to expect that someone might donate a building? If so, I guess we would rent or buy.. is that where the grants come in? (Obviously I am going to bring this up with the Refugee Resettlement Program, but I wanted to have a little bit of a plan before I did so).
I realize this is 20 questions inside of one question, and I'm not asking for answers to all of them. That was just to demonstrate that I really don't know where to begin and I would love some insight on what needs to happen in order to make this happen.
Response by poster: rtha, that's exactly the kind of advice I am looking for.
posted by pintapicasso at 11:41 AM on December 12, 2009
posted by pintapicasso at 11:41 AM on December 12, 2009
The first step is indeed to get in contact with their existing leadership.
Then, find out exactly what it is that is needed and wanted.
Third step, help them to price it. Look for sales of the types of properties you'll need in the areas which you previously determined were suitable. Also take into account the renovations which may be desired and those required by law for public buildings. At the end of this you should have a price.
Once you have a price and plan, some form of corporate structure will have to be formed to own/control the building and to hold the donations. The exact nature of the structure depends on your local laws.
Once these things are done, you can begin fundraising. Organise charity events, apply for grants - from foundations as well as the government, I think your dad may be right about not being able to use govt. money for this. You could also contact wealthy Nepali Hindus living elsewhere.
The last stage is of course the hardest.
And of course, at all stages you should be assisting the leaders of the community in this rather than taking control.
Good luck!
posted by atrazine at 9:10 PM on December 12, 2009
Then, find out exactly what it is that is needed and wanted.
Third step, help them to price it. Look for sales of the types of properties you'll need in the areas which you previously determined were suitable. Also take into account the renovations which may be desired and those required by law for public buildings. At the end of this you should have a price.
Once you have a price and plan, some form of corporate structure will have to be formed to own/control the building and to hold the donations. The exact nature of the structure depends on your local laws.
Once these things are done, you can begin fundraising. Organise charity events, apply for grants - from foundations as well as the government, I think your dad may be right about not being able to use govt. money for this. You could also contact wealthy Nepali Hindus living elsewhere.
The last stage is of course the hardest.
And of course, at all stages you should be assisting the leaders of the community in this rather than taking control.
Good luck!
posted by atrazine at 9:10 PM on December 12, 2009
Two random bits of advice from someone with absolutely no experience in this area:
1. Talk to a lawyer. You'll need to formalize a non-profit organization at some point, whether it's the church itself or an org you form to do the fundraising.
2. Once you're at the fundraising/volunteering stage, you should talk to leaders of other local churches - not just Unitarians. Example: the Krishna Temple in Utah was largely built by Mormon volunteers.
posted by mmoncur at 11:34 PM on December 13, 2009
1. Talk to a lawyer. You'll need to formalize a non-profit organization at some point, whether it's the church itself or an org you form to do the fundraising.
2. Once you're at the fundraising/volunteering stage, you should talk to leaders of other local churches - not just Unitarians. Example: the Krishna Temple in Utah was largely built by Mormon volunteers.
posted by mmoncur at 11:34 PM on December 13, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Then you (and by "you" I mean you in conjunction with the community folks) need to figure out the kind of neighborhood or area that would work best for them. If you find a cheap building that's only accessible by car but few of the refugees have cars, that's no good, right?
You're getting a little ahead of yourself thinking about hoping someone will donate a building - the first step is to find out what the community wants and needs. Good for you for being so involved and helping them!
posted by rtha at 11:38 AM on December 12, 2009