LOVE ALL SERVE ALL

Sri sathya sai global council foundation

“Try to assuage, as far as you can, the distress of others; when done sincerely, it is the best spiritual practice for a true spiritual aspirant”.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Discourse 13th of January, 1968

HELP EVER HURT NEVER

Who We Are

VISION

To improve the lives of people in communities across the world that are undergoing hardship by providing assistance in the form of food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and values education.

VALUES

Our work is guided by the principles of ‘Love All, Serve All” and “Help Ever, Hurt Never” as demonstrated by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This includes, demonstrating, practicing, and propagating the five human values of Truth, Right Action, Peace, Love, and Non-violence that are common to all cultures and religions.

What We Do

MISSION

Emphasis is on providing assistance to low income, disadvantaged individuals, families, communities, and institutions that are dedicated to serving those in need. This can include:

Education Support

Providing education support via providing tutoring and courses for students and teachers

Housing Support

Providing housing support, such as supplies and labor to help with repair and construction

Food

Providing food such as supplies to pantries, and kitchens serving at need populations

Disaster Relief

Aiding from time to time to victims of disasters, by providing food packets, hot meals, living supplies such as clothing, diapers, household cleaning items, disinfectants, blankets, and sleeping bags

Financial Support

Providing financial assistance and medical equipment, medication and supplies to existing free medical clinics and hospitals as well as developing additional free medical clinics in the USA

International Aid

Providing financial assistance and medical equipment, medication and supplies to clinics and hospitals associated with the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, a nonprofit charity registered with the Indian government, or in other countries, that have nonprofit status with their national governments, that provide free medical care

ONGOING | PAST EVENTS

Ukraine Service 2022

Due to the conflict occurring in Ukraine, many people are suffering. Globally, non-governmental organizations have mobilized humanitarian relief efforts to render assistance to the desolate Ukrainians victims and to the distressed refugees in neighboring countries. Communities and organizations in the sheltering countries are in critical need of supplies including clothing, food, hygiene items, sleeping bags, tents, toiletries, etc.

By Swami’s Grace and Blessings, after surveying the victims’ needs, the Sai Disaster Response Team of SSSGC has taken initiative to research ways in which assistance can be provided to local Ukrainian churches and organizations which have means to transport the needed supplies (listed in the attachment) to the affected areas.

Ida Service 2021

A category 4 Hurricane Ida lashed and ravaged Louisiana on Sunday, August 29, 2021 making landfall near Port Fourchon with ferocious winds of 150 mph. Ida then churned inland, bringing catastrophic winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes, along with flash and urban flooding along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Haiti Service 2021

A massive earthquake hit the Les Cayes area of Haiti on Aug 14th, 2021 causing significant damages to homes and other facilities. Official estimates indicate there are more than 2,200 fatalities and over 14,000 injured with overall 1.2 million people, including 540,000 children affected.

CONTACT US

for more details email us: secretary@sssgcf.org

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

“You have to transform your life through service. You should give no room for arrogance or self-interest to the slightest extent in your service activities. Install in your heart the feeling that the service you render to anyone is service to God. Only then does service to man become service to God.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba 23 March 1989, Chennai

ONLINE

Please donate online using the below link.

CHECK

If paying by check, please make payable to

“Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Foundation, Inc.”

Mailing Address:

19852 Vaughn Landing Drive,
Germantown, MD 20874

Note: Include your Phone#, Email id along with the check.

Zelle payment

You can also make donations using “Zelle” option.

Please use the following email “treasurer@sssgcf.org” and in the memo, write your name, email id along with your comments before sending the zelle payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SSSGCF?

The Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Foundation, Inc. (SSSGCF) is a non-profit 501c(3) legal corporation, registered in the state of Maryland, United States, which was granted tax-exempt status in January 2022 by the Internal Revenue Service. Further details are available on the SSSGCF website https://www.sssgcf.org

Can I claim a tax deduction for my donation to the SSSGCF even if I am a resident of a country outside of the United States? Do I need to be the resident of Maryland to claim tax deduction?

No. The SSSGCF is registered as a 501c(3) organization with Internal Revenue Service, and therefore, only U.S. residents filing tax returns in the US will be eligible to make a deduction for their donations to the SSSGCF. Even though the SSSGCF is registered as a Maryland Corporation, resident of any one of the 50 states and District of Columbia can claim deduction for their donations. Please consult with your tax advisor for your specific situation.

How can I send cash contributions to the SSSGCF?

(i) By Check payable to: Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Foundation, Inc. 19852, Vaughn Landing Drive Germantown, MD 20874. In the memo, please include your name and email ID (ii) By Zelle addressed to Treasurer@sssgcf.org In the memo, please include your email ID.

Can I donate funds to the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (“SSSCT”) or other affiliated organizations and request the SSSGCF to issue a donation certificate to claim a deduction?

No. The SSSGCF is an independent entity registered as a 501c(3) organization in the United States, different from the SSSCT and other affiliated organizations. Therefore, donations given directly into the bank account of the SSSGCF only be eligible for deduction in the United States. The SSSGCF supports many initiatives around the world that align with its goals and missions, including those carried out by the SSSCT. If there are specific initiatives of the SSSCT you would like your donation to support, please specify and we will let you know if the SSSGCF will be able to support that cause.

Can I send my contribution through a credit card or PayPal or other payment gateways?

No. SSSGCF is currently not set-up to receive online payments through a credit card, PayPal, or other payment Gateways.

What is the time schedule for utilization of donated funds?

The SSSGCF has an internal “Donation & Reserve Policy.” The Board will review the cash balance every quarter and apply funds for various service projects, including the projects carried out by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Any contribution received for specific projects will be applied to such projects. A reserve fund will be kept at the end of each quarter so that the SSSGCF can always apply the funds for new service projects in a new quarter.

Can I contribute marketable securities such as stocks, bonds, etc.?

Yes. The SSSGCF has set up a Fidelity brokerage account #Z40333020 in the name of “Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Foundation”. Marketable securities may be transferred electronically to the above brokerage account set up by SSSGCF or delivered physically with the transferor’s endorsement or signed stock power (with appropriate signature guarantees) attached. Kindly refer to the SSSGCF’s “Gift Acceptance Policy” on the SSSGCF’s website https://www.sssgcf.org/ for more information. Please also refer to the table below:

How can members of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council (“SSSGC”) suggest areas and projects that are worthwhile supporting?

A grant request form is used internally for approval by the Board. Any individual can write to the National Service Coordinator of the SSSGC, USA requesting funds for a specific service project. The National Service Coordinator of SSSGC, USA will fill out a grant request form and present it for approval by the Board. Depending on the availability of funds, appropriate alignment of the project with our mission, and commitments to other projects, the Board can approve the Grant request.

Question: What other ways can I donate to the SSSGCF?

Bequests and Beneficiary Designations under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities, and Retirement Plans; Donors may make bequests to the SSSGCF under their wills and to the SSSGCF as the beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities, and retirement plans. The SSSGCF will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts as well as accept as an income beneficiary of charitable lead trusts. Kindly refer to “Gift Acceptance Policy” on the SSSGCF’s website https://www.sssgcf.org particularly Annexure A, for more information.

How are the service projects identified for sponsorship by the Foundation?

The Zone Chair, National President, and National Service Coordinator of the SSSGC, USA come across various service projects from time to time. Besides, other Zones also can approach the SSSGCF for sponsorship. The SSSGCF has in the past funded the SSSGC UK organization for sponsoring an ambulance in Ukraine and some of the supplies required for the medical camp conducted in Puttaparthi during the week of Guru Purnima as well as Swami’s Birthday in 2022. Besides, the SSSGCF has sent its contribution to many of the service projects carried out by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Puttaparthi.

What are the requirements for donating a life insurance policy?

The SSSGCF will accept gifts of life insurance when the SSSGCF is named as both beneficiary and irrecoverable owner of the insurance policy. The donor must agree to pay, before due, any further premium payments owed on the policy.

Can donors specify where their donation can be used?

Yes. Donations can be sent with a request that be utilized for a specific project, The SSSGCF will accept the donation after confirming that the proposal is in alignment with our mission statement.

Can I donate immovable property to the SSSGCF?

No. For now, the SSSGCF will not accept an immovable property as a donation. We may consider doing so in the future, in which case, we will notify you through our website when the SSSGCF is ready to accept the immovable property donations.

If a member wishes to see the financial reports, can they be made available?

Yes. The SSSGCF is a charitable non-profit organization, and the financial statements will be published on the SSSGCF’s website https://www.sssgcf.org every year, along with the annual report summarizing all the SSSGCF’s activities.

When I donate funds to the SSSGCF, am I eligible for a tax deduction?

Yes. The SSSGCF is registered as a 501c(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and therefore, all donations made by you are tax deductible. SSSGCF will issue a receipt at year-end with your total donation. Please consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.

The company I work for gives matching contribution if I contribute my own funds to service activities funded by 501(C)(3) organizations. Can I pursue this option if I wish to contribute to the SSSGCF?

Yes. If there is an existing policy within your company, you are welcome to pursue this option for your contribution to the SSSGCF. The SSSGCF will provide any basic information you may need, including IRS Letter of Determination. However, the SSSGCF will not be able to issue any letter requesting contribution from your company as Swami prohibits solicitation of funds from anyone. It should be a voluntary contribution as mutually agreed between the employee and the employer. However, the SSSGCF is open to be added as a charitable organization on your employer’s list (regardless of matching contribution by your employer), and the SSSGCF will provide the necessary documents required by your employer.

Technical faq's

What principles are practiced by the SSSGCF in accepting gifts in general?

The SSSGCF practices the following principles:
Since there may be a potential for conflict with the SSSSGCF’s mission if certain gifts are accepted, the Board of Directors has adopted the following Gift Acceptance Policy:
Values – Whether accepting the gift compromises any of the core values of the SSSGCF.
Compatibility – Whether there is compatibility between donor’s intent and the organization’s use of the donation.
Public Relationships – Whether acceptance of the gift damage the reputation of the SSSGCF’s name in general and Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s name in particular.
Primary Benefit – Whether the benefits of the donations pass on to the SSSGCF without any rights reserved in favor of the donor.
Consistency – Whether acceptance of the gift is consistent with prior practices of the SSSGCF and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.
Form of Gift – Whether the donation offered is in a form that the SSSGCF can use without incurring substantial expenses or difficulties.
Effect of Future Giving – Whether the donation encourages or discourages future donations to the SSSGCF.

All decisions to accept potentially controversial donations will be made by the Board of Directors of the SSSGCF, and their decision will be final.
Kindly refer to the “Gift Acceptance Policy” on SSSGCF’s website https://www.sssgcf.org for more information.

When will marketable security not be accepted by the SSSGCF?

In some cases, marketable securities may be restricted, for example, by applicable securities laws or by the terms of the proposed gift; in such instances, the decision to accept those restricted securities shall be made by the Board of Directors of the SSSGCF. The SSSGCF will not accept donations that would result in violation of the SSSGCF’s charter, would result in the organization losing its 501c(3) status as a not-for-profit organization, are too difficult or too expensive to administer in relation to their value, and would result in unacceptable consequences to the organization, or are for purposes outside the organization’s mission.

How can the SSSGC regions and the centers within the USA make use of the SSSGCF’s tax-exemption status?

Tax-exemption status is carefully reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service every year. Therefore, the regions and centers that would like to conduct a service project must request the SSSGCF if they need help. The Board of Directors will carefully review this request before approving such activities.

When will the SSSGCF seek the advice of the legal counsel in acceptance of gifts?

The SSSGCF will seek the advice of the legal counsel in matters relating to accepting gifts when appropriate. The review will be necessary in situations such as

1) Donations of securities that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements
2) Documents naming SSSGCF as trustee requiring the Organization to act in any fiduciary capacity
3) Donations requiring SSSGCF to assume financial or other obligations
4) Transactions with a potential conflict of interest
5) Donations of property that may be subject to environmental or other regulatory obligations

Kindly refer to “Gift Acceptance Policy” on SSSGCF’s website https://www.sssgcf.org for more information.