Frequently Asked Questions

    We accept cash and non-cash donations online and in-person as follows:
    1. Download and install the mySamarpan app (only available to users with a BAPS ID)
    2. Go to https://donate.na.baps.org and select the BAPS Mandir you wish to donate to
    3. When visiting a BAPS Mandir, come see us at the Front Desk
    4. We are a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, therefore you can also donate to us via
      1. Donor Advised Funds
      2. IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
    1. View your current and historical contribution reports
    2. Offer donations to dharmado and various other sponsorship and seva opportunities in your Mandir or another BAPS Mandir in North America.
    3. Set up, edit, pause, and delete recurring donations including dharmado
    4. Save and use payment information to avoid the hassles of entering your information every time you donate
    1. Credit Card
    2. Bank Account/eCheck/ACH

    Please note that the application is highly secure with 256-bit SSL encryption and HTTPS protocol support. If you choose to save your payment methods (ie. bank account and/or credit card information) in the application, it will not be stored on any BAPS servers but will be stored on the credit card and ACH processing companies’ servers. The credit card and ACH processing companies comply with financial data regulations as required by law. BAPS will not have access to your credit card/bank account details.

    Yes, you can save your credit card/bank account details in the app for your convenience. You can do so in either of the following ways:
    1. In the menu section of the app, tap on “Saved Payment Methods”. In the bottom right-hand corner, tap on the add icon.
    2. When donating, in the payment screen tap on “Save this payment method for future use.”
    3. Inform and give your Mandir Accounting Team permission to save your payment information.

    Please note that the application is highly secure with 256-bit SSL encryption and HTTPS protocol support. If you choose to save your payment methods (ie. bank account and/or credit card information) in the application, it will not be stored on any BAPS servers but will be stored on the credit card and ACH processing companies’ servers. The credit card and ACH processing companies comply with financial data regulations as required by law. BAPS will not have access to your credit card/bank account details.
    1. Dharmado
    2. Sabha, Samaiya, and Parayan Sponsorships
    3. Rituals (Mahapuja and Abhishek)
    4. Thakorji and P. Santo Seva
    5. Children’s Activities
    6. Parasabha Sponsorships
    7. Event Sponsorships
    Yes, you can donate for Dharmado using the mySamarpan app via credit card or bank account/eCheck. You can also set up recurring dharmado donations and later edit, pause, or delete them as you wish.
    Yes, securities donations will appear in the contribution report. However, please note that proper valuation of the securities donation is the responsibility of the donor. Therefore, contribution reports will only provide the following information for securities donations:
    1. Company name
    2. Securities symbol
    3. Number of securities donated
    4. Date of contribution (In accordance with IRS guidelines (Publication 561), the date BAPS assumes ownership of the security will be considered as the date of the gift)
    To give a family member(s) access to your contribution report:
    1. Go to the Menu section of the mySamarpan app (click on the 3 horizontal lines in the top right corner of the app)
    2. Go to the “Report Access” tab
    3. Select the family member(s) you wish to give access to your report

    Please note that to give access to a family member they must have the mySamarpan app installed.
    To either opt in or out of receiving push or SMS notifications:
    1. Go to the Menu section of the mySamarpan app (click on the 3 horizontal lines in the top right corner of the app)
    2. Go to the “Notification Settings” tab
    3. Check the boxes if you would like to receive notifications
    4. Uncheck the boxes if you would not like to receive notifications
    If you wish to link a business account to your primary account in Samarpan, then please contact your Mandir Accounting Team.

    1. Securities donations are no longer a difficult process
    2. It helps donors save money on taxes
    3. Donors can contribute the full value of shares towards BAPS Endowment instead of paying capital gains taxes on them
    If your securities are held in a brokerage account, you can transfer your gift electronically.

    Please provide your broker with the following information:
    1. Security Name
    2. Security Symbol
    3. # of stocks to be donated
    4. DTC transfer information:
      JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
      DTC # 0902
      Credit Account Number: P72500
      For further credit to: BAPS Endowment Inc.
      FFC Account Number: W61076001
    Yes, paper stock certificates are accepted. Please contact us at donations.nahq@usa.baps.org for more information.
    Yes, when your stock is transferred to our account, we do not receive any information that identifies you as the donor. Prior to transferring, please notify us via the mySamarpan app (use the non-cash payment option at checkout) or at your local accounting office with the following information:
    1. Donor information
      1. Full Name
      2. Full Address
      3. Email
      4. Phone
    2. Security Name
    3. Security Symbol
    4. # of stocks to be donated
    5. Name of the BAPS Center you wish to donate to
    6. Reason/purpose you are donating

    A donor advised fund provides donors with a centralized charitable account. It allows a donor to make an irrevocable gift to a public charity that sponsors a DAF (ie. Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, BNY Mellon, etc.), take an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund to BAPS over time. Most DAFs accept cash equivalents, securities, and other assets.
    Donors make an irrevocable, tax‐deductible contribution of cash, long‐term appreciated securities or other assets to a charity that sponsors a DAF program (ie. Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, BNY Mellon, etc.), which then establishes an account in the donor’s name. DAF donors may choose from a variety of investment options and proceeds are put into an account from which donors may make grant recommendations to BAPS.
    You can simply log in to your DAF account, select your designation as BAPS Endowment Inc., and include the name of the center and purpose in your notes. Also, include your full name and address to be on advice for BAPS information and proper record of transaction.
    No, there is no need for BAPS to send tax receipts as the DAF donor will receive a tax receipt from the charity that sponsors the DAF (ie. Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, BNY Mellon, etc.) at the time of the initial contribution to the DAF. Please note that BAPS will send an acknowledgement letter to the DAF donor notifying them of the receipt of the donation.

    We welcome donations of various types of gold (in any karat), sterling silver, platinum, and jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, and even broken or unwanted pieces.
    No, even broken, damaged, or single earrings are valuable as they can be appraised for their precious metal content. Of course, intact and valuable pieces can also be sold for a higher return.
    Please visit the nearest BAPS Mandir Accounting Office to drop off the gold or jewelry you wish to donate.
    Yes, we will provide you a written acknowledgment of your donation for your tax records. Please ensure you include your contact information with your donation.
    For items valued over $500, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal. It is the donor's responsibility to obtain this appraisal. For items valued at $500 or less, you can generally claim the fair market value at the time of the donation. We will provide you with a receipt, but we cannot assign a value to your donation. Please consult with your tax advisor for specific guidance.
    Yes, donations to BAPS Endowment, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult with your tax advisor for specific details regarding your situation and the valuation of your donation.
    No, as a non-profit organization, we are unable to provide appraisals for donated items. For items valued over $500, it is the donor's responsibility to obtain a qualified appraisal.
    For donations of gold or jewelry, the primary IRS form you may need to be aware of is Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions. Please note the following:
    • Donations Over $500 in Total Noncash Contributions: If the total value of all noncash items you donate to charities during the tax year (including your gold and jewelry) is greater than $500, you'll need to complete Section A of Form 8283. This requires details about the donation, including a description, the date, how you acquired it, and its fair market value.
    • Donations Over $5,000 for a Single Item or Group of Similar Items: If the fair market value of the donated gold or jewelry (or a group of similar items) is more than $5,000, you'll generally need to complete Section B of Form 8283. This section requires a qualified appraisal from a qualified appraiser, and the appraiser must sign the form. We will also need to sign the form acknowledging receipt of the donation.
    • Your Responsibility: Determining the fair market value of your donation and obtaining a qualified appraisal (if necessary) is the responsibility of the donor.
    • Our Acknowledgment: We will provide you with a written acknowledgment of your donation, which includes the date and a description of the property. However, we cannot provide a valuation.
    • Seek Professional Advice: Tax laws are complex and can change. We strongly recommend that you consult with a qualified tax advisor to discuss your specific circumstances and ensure you comply with all IRS regulations.

    A legacy gift, also known as a planned gift or estate gift, is a charitable donation you arrange during your lifetime that will benefit BAPS in the future, typically after your passing. It’s a way for individuals to leave a legacy that ensures our faith and culture remain firmly rooted in the American experience while also providing for succeeding generations.
    Anyone who cares about our mission and wants to make a lasting impact can make a legacy gift, regardless of their age or the size of their estate.
    While the primary benefit is knowing you're supporting a cause you care about, legacy gifts can also offer potential tax advantages, such as estate tax deductions. Certain planned gifts, like charitable gift annuities, can also provide income during your lifetime.
    • Bequests: This involves naming BAPS as a beneficiary in your will or trust. You can specify a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after other beneficiaries have been provided for.
    • Beneficiary Designations: You can name BAPS as a beneficiary of certain assets that pass directly outside of your will, such as:
      • Life Insurance Policies: Designating BAPS as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance proceeds.
      • Retirement Funds: Naming BAPS as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement accounts. This can be a tax-efficient way to give, as these assets may be heavily taxed if passed to individuals. Good conventional planning is to leave these assets to BAPS at the death of the second spouse. This way, there will be no taxes and BAPS will benefit greatly from your years of saving rather than paying the government these exorbitant taxes.
      • Commercial Annuities: Similar to life insurance, you can designate BAPS as a beneficiary.
    • Charitable Gift Annuity Alternative: Allows you to make an immediate cash gift to BAPS without reducing spendable income or the inheritance to your family. Typically, donors reposition lower yielding fixed income investments to the CGAA strategy or gift low-basis stocks that would otherwise be taxed. Either way, the income you were receiving will be replaced by guaranteed income paid to you from the CGAA charitable design. Your net spendable income will be equal to or greater than the income on your investments before repositioning them to CGAA. The CGAA income paid to you will be fixed and guaranteed for your lifetime. You could even choose to have the income paid during both you and your spouse's lifetimes. In every case, BAPS will receive a lump sum gift up front, and you will be rewarded with a substantial tax deduction. As an alternative, you may elect to have BAPS use your gift to not only provide you with a lifetime of guaranteed income but apply part of the funds to acquire a unique life insurance policy on your life that will significantly multiply your legacy gift to BAPS. This will allow you to leave a greatly magnified legacy gift to BAPS as well as give you a substantial up front tax deduction. This option is subject to health underwriting.
    • Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs): You create a trust that pays income to you or other beneficiaries for a specified period. The remaining assets in the trust then go to BAPS.
    • Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs): This is the reverse of a CRT. The trust makes payments to BAPS for a certain period, and the remaining assets are then transferred to your beneficiaries.

    Yes, absolutely! Even if you don't consider yourself wealthy, it's highly recommended that you start thinking about estate planning now. If you die without a Will or Revocable Trust, or if your assets are owned in such a manner that your Will or Revocable Trust does not control the disposition of some of your assets, then either state law or other contractual arrangements (such as joint ownership or beneficiary designations) will determine how your property is distributed. Also, absent the proper enforceable instructions, a court may designate persons you would not have chosen to administer your estate, handle assets, or otherwise care for children, family heirlooms, business interests or other assets you own. Without careful planning the result may be different from what you intended.

    It is often difficult and expensive to administer an estate that has not been planned well, and many times the poorly planned estate must pay taxes that could have been minimized or avoided altogether with proper planning. Considering the time and effort you have spent accumulating your assets and the goals you may have for your children or other intended beneficiaries, your estate plan deserves careful attention with professional advice.

    Of course. We can assist you in customizing your plan so that both your assets will be transferred according to your vision. Your new estate plan will include both traditional and creative ideas that employ strategies that are appropriate for your family. Some examples include:

    • Wills & Trusts (Bequests)
    • Retirement Plans
    • Life Insurance and Gift Maximization
    • Premium Financed Life Insurance
    • Charitable Gift Annuity Alternative

    Appropriate financial products will be suggested to help you achieve your goals. Your plan will not only provide for your family but will also help you make a lasting impact on the future success of BAPS. Please contact our Endowment Office at 732-777-1414 ext.3105 or endowment@na.baps.org for more details.

    The first step is often to speak with your financial advisor or estate planning attorney. They can help you determine the best way to structure your gift based on your individual circumstances and financial goals.

    If you do not have an estate planning attorney, BAPS has taken steps to seek referrals to estate planning attorneys across the country. In that process, BAPS reviewed the firm or lawyer's background, expertise, resources, type of clients and services that can be provided. For those firms selected for referral, BAPS has also sought clarity on average costs and potential discounts for members.

    For further details on a referral in your area, please contact the BAPS Endowment office at 732-777-1414 ext.3105 or at endowment@na.baps.org.
    If you wish to include BAPS as a beneficiary of your estate plan, please provide the following information to your legal professional to ensure the correct beneficiary is noted in your legacy documents:

    BAPS Endowment, Inc.
    Federal ID: 20-2889249
    PO Box 519
    Windsor, NJ 08561-0519


    Further, letting us know of your intentions allows us to express our gratitude and plan for the future impact of your generosity.
    Please contact our Endowment Office at 732-777-1414 ext.3105 or endowment@na.baps.org to learn more and discuss your giving options. We would be honored to speak with you.