“In Subud, we have two duties besides worshipping God according to his Will: We have
to take care of our lives in this world, and we have to try to create something that is valuable
both for ourselves and our descendants.” Bapak

"One of the challenges of material wealth is to recycle some of it and keep it moving. This isn't totally selfless because we know that if we give in the right way, we get things back. It's really an issue of keeping things balanced and healthy for yourself and the community at large.”
Anonymous donor

“As Bapak said many times, we are Subud. My feeling about following the guidance of the latihan is that I definitely want to give as much as possible to make sure the latihan is carried out into the world, especially to those countries that need resources to receive houses, helper visits, and publications.” Anonymous donor

“Being in a position of not having heirs, I wanted to give what I could give to that which has given the most to me. Subud really is my spiritual family, and I wanted to leave something for posterity.” Anonymous donor

Many Subud members around the world are motivated to turn their sincere hopes for Subud into reality. Some will do this through their projects and others by providing financial support.

MSF is a link between the two. It is simply a means of channeling money between those who have the need to give and those who have the need to do.

The responsibility to execute the wishes of each donor is one that MSF takes very seriously. The Trustees understand that they must continue to act in ways that gain the confidence of Subud members and the world at large as being sound money managers. To this end, donors are entitled to review MSF’s annual accounting reports, which are certified by a reputable, outside CPA.

MSF is composed of three funds, which offer some diversity of choice for prospective donors:

General Fund: Proceeds from the General Fund go to worthy projects in all areas, at the discretion of the Trustees. The General Fund is structured such that Trustees are able to spend not only the income but also 15% of its capital each year. This policy reflects Bapak’s saying that “unless water is removed from the well, no more can flow in.”

Farkas Fund: This fund, endowed by an anonymous donor in the name of Lucienne and Francois Farkas, is restricted in the sense that 25% of the annual interest goes to children’s projects, 25% to Subud Publications International for the preparation and publication of Bapak talks, 15% to administrative costs and the remaining 35% is left to the discretion of the Trustees to disburse.

Bapak Legacy Fund: This fund, enacted in 2001 in honor of the centennial of Subud’s founder Bapak Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo, is a permanent endownment fund (like the Farkas Fund). Only the interest can be disbursed for projects, at the discretion of the Trustees. For more information, please visit the BLF website.

Outright Gifts - Outright gifts provide direct and immediate support to MSF. Most outright contributions are gifts of cash, and donors who make them may qualify for tax deductions. Outright gifts may also be of closely held stock, real estate, or other property. To make a credit card contribution online, visit contributing.

Gifts of Securities - By donating long-term appreciated stocks or mutual funds directly to MSF, you may avoid the capital gains tax that would be incurred if you sold the securities. Consult with your accountant to see if your country provides this tax break.

Company Matching Gifts - Some companies match employee contributions to charitable causes, effectively doubling your donation. The human resources office at your workplace can tell you about your employer’s policies.

Bequests - Through your will or trust, you may specify that some portion of your assets come to MSF after your lifetime. You may restrict this to a particular designation or not, as you choose. After your lifetime, the asset(s) you specify will pass to MSF, and your estate may be able to take a charitable deduction for the amount of your bequest, depending on your country’s tax laws.

Retirement Plans ­ You may name MSF as the beneficiary to your retirement plan. After your lifetime the asset will come to MSF, and your estate may be entitled to a charitable deduction.

Insurance Policies ­ You may designate MSF as the beneficiary to a life insurance policy and possibly deduct the premiums as charitable contributions. This may be an appealing option for those would like to leave something behind for Subud but have limited financial means.

The very origins of the Muhammad Subuh Foundation lie in Varindra Vittachi’s dream, and Bapak’s explanation of it, that one day such a foundation would exist to which Subud members would leave a portion of their assets. MSF encourages members to make contributions in the form of bequests for practical reasons as well – it recognizes the importance of annual contributions to local and national centers and does not wish to compete with or undermine those vital fundraising initiatives.

When considering making a bequest to MSF, there are some key steps to follow:

1) Decide whether to make a specified or unspecified gift.

MSF recognizes that making a bequest is a very personal matter. As such, the Foundation is intended to be used as a tool for members to earmark contributions in ways they see fit. Donors have the option to leave money for a specified use such as funding humanitarian programs or Subud houses. Unspecified gifts allow the Trustees to respond most flexibly to the funding needs of future times.

Specified or earmarked contributions automatically go into the General Fund but are then disbursed as dictated by the donor. Earmarked contributions cannot be made to the Bapak Legacy Fund due to its design. Contributions to the Bapak Legacy Fund are made with the understanding that the Trustees will use their most prudent discretion in determining its use. Similarly, bequests made to the Farkas Fund must be unspecified but will more likely be channeled toward projects in the areas of children’s programs and publications.

2) Talk to your family.

It is important that your family understand and support your decision to leave a bequest to MSF. Plan to garner your family’s enthusiasm, rather than their confusion or strife, by discussing your intentions with them.

3) Talk to a lawyer.

Estate tax laws vary from country to country and year to year. If you are considering leaving money to Subud through MSF, it is highly recommended that you consult with a lawyer to ensure that your wishes are carried out with the utmost accuracy.

4) Talk to your nearest MSF Trustee of National Representative.
It’s likely that this process may raise questions for you, questions that may range in nature. Do not hesitate to contact a Trustee or National Representative for answers and support as you undergo this important process.

Bapak reminded us many times that progress in fulfilling Subud’s humanitarian and other aims in the world would only be possible through enterprise contributions.

As the “go-between” or “intermediary body” the Foundation can assess, with the assistance of the appropriate organization, the many Subud projects around the world that seek funding at any one time. In this way, MSF provides a vehicle through which entrepreneurs can confidently channel their funds knowing that they will be applied to the best long-term interests of Subud.

There are a number of ways to make enterprise contributions: donations via the credit card facility of this site, regular bank transfers to MSF accounts, the commitment of a portion of your annual turnover to MSF. Some entrepreneurs support MSF on a continuing basis by transferring shares so that their contribution to MSF is directly related to the fortunes of their companies. If you have any other suggestions please let us know.