Douglas Henck, “A Sacred Trust: The History of Institutional Stewardship of the Bahá’í Fund”

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“A great measure of the success of the Cause in the world depends on the ability of its institutions to put in place a system of financial administration that ensures efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” the Universal House of Justice observed in a letter dated March 7, 2004. This presentation examines how that vision has been translated into institutional practice through the stewardship of the Bahá’í Fund. Focusing on the first fifty years under the leadership of the Universal House of Justice, this 30-minute presentation traces the evolution of the Fund through periods of challenge and growth. It situates contemporary administrative practice within the spiritual framework established by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, whose writings and examples articulated both the sacred character of the Fund and the principles governing its use. The presentation analyzes how contributions are administered according to clearly defined priorities, supporting a wide range of activities—from construction projects at the Bahá’í World Centre to the development and consolidation of the Bahá’í administrative order worldwide. Particular attention is given to the Bahá’í principle that funds are used exclusively for the purposes for which they are given and are distinct from general charitable donations. By examining standards of transparency, accountability, and fiduciary responsibility, this presentation highlights how Bahá’í institutions seek to safeguard the trust placed in them by believers. These institutions operate under constant guidance and auditing to ensure the prudent and ethical use of sacred contributions. Together, these practices offer insight into a model of financial administration that integrates ethical discipline, spiritual responsibility, and institutional integrity in the service of a global religious community.

When Douglas Henck was appointed as CFO at the World Centre in 2006, Dr. Peter Khan gave him a compendium of everything the House of Justice had written on the Bahá’í Fund since 1963. It was a history of crises and victories. He has given a talk on this history at the Bahá’í World Centre, and has maintained his interest in that history ever since. More recently, he co-led (with Dr. Robert Henderson) a series of seminars on Financial Literacy  that focused on elevating financial decision making to a spiritual level. This presentation is an attempt to combine these two educational efforts.