Hindu American Foundation

EDUCATION: Improve the understanding of Hinduism and Hindus.

1. Work towards an equitable and accurate portrayal of Hinduism in K-12 textbooks and in classrooms.

2. Promote a balanced understanding of Hinduism as a lived tradition in academia.

3. Improve narratives about Hindus and Hinduism in media.

POLICY: Promote policies for the well-being of Hindus worldwide and the benefit of all people and the planet.

1. Advocate for policies that enhance the well-being of Hindus in the US.

2. Advocate for policies that secure the human rights of Hindus around the world and promote peace, prosperity and pluralism in India, the spiritual homeland of Hindus.

3. Advocate for solutions aligned with or inspired by Hindu teachings for the benefit of all people and the planet.

COMMUNITY: Empower Hindu American communities and partner institutions.

1. Enhance the well-being, safety, and security of Hindu communities and institutions.

2. Build a culture of advocacy.

3. Promote the recognition of Hinduism and Hindu contributions.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is an advocacy organization for the Hindu American community. The Foundation educates the public about Hinduism, speaks out about issues affecting Hindus worldwide, and builds bridges with institutions and individuals whose work aligns with HAF's objectives. HAF three areas of focus are education, policy, and community. Through its advocacy efforts, HAF promotes dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism to ensure the well-being of Hindus and for all people and the planet to thrive.

HAF is politically agnostic and non-partisan, meaning we are informed, but do not favor or endorse any one political party or its positions. We will work with all individuals and institutions committed to and constructively engaged in promoting dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism.

HAF is not affiliated with any religious or political organizations or entities. HAF seeks to serve Hindu Americans across all sampradayas (Hindu religious traditions) regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship, caste, gender, sexual orientation, age and/or disability.

Our positions are based on a relentless pursuit of facts; deep consideration of Hindu principles and American values, such as freedom, equality, and justice; and the input of subject matter experts. If we like a policy, we'll say so, and rigorously substantiate our position.

HAF positions will always be based on our guiding principles. And we will always advocate for what we believe is rooted in Hindu Dharma, and serves the well-being of Hindus and the greater good of all.

*Satya. Be truthful. We pride ourselves in offering programming and information with accuracy, integrity, and honesty.

*Ahimsa. Be non-harming. We aspire to work and communicate fairly and respectfully.

*Viveka. Be discerning. We approach our work through careful contemplation, reason, and consensus building.

*Nutana. Be innovative. We aspire to keep our work and approach relevant to our constituents by being creative, innovative, and flexible.

*Sadbhavana. Be collaborative. We seek out partnerships with other individuals and organizations to forward our objectives.

*Kutumbakam. Be big-hearted. We value and respect each other as individuals, work well together as a team, and respect each other's work/life balance.

*Utsaah. Be passionate. We are passionate about Hindu Dharma, the global community, and our work.

HAF has a full-time staff of 14 of highly qualified, motivated, and passionate individuals. The team is dedicated to ensuring the objectives and goals set forth by the Board of Directors with input from HAF's National Leadership Council, staff and other stakeholders. HAF's National Leadership Council is a small body of dedicated and knowledgable volunteers who work with HAF's staff and board in ensuring progress towards the organization's stated objectives and goals. With a 19-year track record in education and advocacy, two attorneys on staff and a staff team with decades of work experience, HAF is a highly capable and top industry leader.

➤ Improved how India & Hinduism is taught in public schools in 11 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

➤ Taught 85,000 students and trained 3,400 teachers and nearly 1,400 professionals with accurate information about Hinduism through HAF's signature Hinduism 101 and professional development programs.

➤Reaffirmed the Hindu roots of yoga through the Take Back Yoga campaign covered in over 90 mainstream news articles including prime time coverage in the Washington Post, NY Times, CNN, BBC, and NPR.

➤Graduated and inspired over 50 emerging leaders through the first and only Hindu American Internship.

➤Empowered the community with 2,200 trained in HAF’s Dharma Ambassadors and Dharma Advocates programs.

➤Gave voice to Hindus suffering gross human rights abuses in South Asia through 12 annual, first-of-its-kind Hindu human rights reports and over 30 Hindu Human Rights advocacy campaigns.

➤Ensured over 4,000 Pakistani Hindu refugees receive vital medical services and nearly 18,000 Bhutanese Hindu refugees are able to preserve their culture and successfully integrate into American life.

➤Harnessed the power of the community to ensure the well-being of Hindus in the US and around the world with 36,000 grassroots advocates activated.

➤Worked with the US Congress and FBI to create and institute the “anti-Hindu” hate crime data category to better monitor anti-Hindu hate crimes and protect the Hindu American community.

➤Sued California’s Board of Education, Department of Fair Employment & Housing, and the California State University system for violating Hindu American rights.

➤Successfully advocated for the first-ever recognition of Diwali in the US Congress.

What's next? HAFs commitment to excellence and innovation allows us to adapt to the changing needs of the education and advocacy space.