| E. | The organizations promoting Maharaji’s message | |
| Information about key organizations around the world that promote and disseminate Maharaji’s message | ||
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| (1) | What
organizations promote and disseminate his message? Around the world, volunteers in more than 45 countries have come together and registered appropriate legal entities to be able to invite Maharaji to speak in their countries, organize public events, promote his message, and distribute related materials. |
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| (2) | What
do these organizations do? How are they organized/connected? These organizations are fully independent but work together in furtherance of similar aims. They invite Maharaji to speak in their respective countries, organize these events, distribute materials related to his message, organize meetings where videos of his addresses are shown, and facilitate meetings where people can prepare to learn the techniques of Knowledge. |
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| (3) | Why
so many organizations? Each nation has different tax and charity laws, each with complex reporting and accounting requirements. For this reason, each nation's legal requirements are best met by having a local organization appropriately chartered under that nation's laws. The decision-making rests solely with the Boards of Directors of the respective entities, although Maharaji is occasionally invited and welcome to provide his views. |
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| (4) | Do
these organizations do any charitable work? An important part of the mission of The Prem Rawat Foundation is to help improve the quality of life for people most in need. • Recent Humanitarian Initiatives |
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| (5) | How
are these organizations funded? The organizations are supported by the generosity of hundreds of thousands of people who voluntarily provide contributions. All these people have one thing in common: they find Maharaji's message noble and wish to help promote and disseminate it. From their heart, they volunteer their time and resources. Several organizations, which are registered public charities, receive the tax benefits relevant to their status. |
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| (6) | Does
Maharaji benefit from the activities of any of the organizations promoting
his message? No. Most of the organizations promoting his message are nonprofit and by law cannot provide a financial benefit to Maharaji or any other individual. The financial records of these organizations are impeccable in this regard, and absolutely no money flows from these organizations to him or his family. He receives no benefit from the activities of the not-for-profit organizations supporting his work and no income from attendance at his addresses or from the sale of materials. He supports himself and his family through private means. |
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| (7) | Does
Maharaji control, lead, or direct any of the organizations promoting
his message? No, Maharaji does not control or direct the organizations promoting his message. These organizations operate independently, directed by Boards of Directors. Maharaji does not sit on any of these Boards, nor does he hold any office in these organizations. From time to time, Maharaji may provide some input, suggestions, or clarification regarding his message, but the decisions always rest with these organizations. These organizations do not act in his name nor report to him. Volunteer groups organize most of the activities, including arranging events and inviting Maharaji to speak, distributing related materials, and collecting the contributions that support these activities. |
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| (8) | Are
these organizations audited? Yes, these organizations have their accounts regularly audited. Several are registered charities and are scrutinized and regulated by the relevant country's Charity Commission or equivalent. The Prem Rawat Foundation, for example, is audited by KPMG, and its most recent audited statement can be found on the Internet at www.guidestar.org. Since these organizations were created, many of them more than 30 years ago, none of them has ever been found liable for any wrongdoing. On the contrary, their records and reputations are among the highest for nonprofit organizations. |
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| Related
Topics • Elan Vital, Inc. • Maharaji and his message • “Knowledge” • Maharaji’s honors & awards • Media relations – articles & interviews with Maharaji • Money questions
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