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Hindu Temple of Rochester (HTOR)

Important Donation Notice to Devotees

🙏 With gratitude for your generosity and support of the Temple

The Hindu Temple of Rochester (HTOR) deeply appreciates the support of our devotees. To ensure transparency, fairness, and responsible stewardship of temple funds, please carefully review the following donation guidelines before making a contribution.

1. Authority and Stewardship

In accordance with the HTOR Constitution, the Executive Council is responsible for managing and controlling all temple finances, donations, and day-to-day operations. All donations, once accepted, become the property of HTOR and are administered in alignment with temple policies, fiduciary responsibility, and applicable laws.

2. Donation Categories

HTOR accepts donations in the following categories:

  • Pooja & Ritual Sponsorships
    (Daily poojas, specific deity poojas, festival poojas, annual religious events)

  • General Donations
    (Support temple operations, priest services, maintenance, utilities, and programs)

  • Specific Project Donations
    (Capital improvements, renovations, technology upgrades, facility enhancements)

  • Endowment Donations
    (Long-term financial sustainability; principal preserved, earnings used)

3. Allocation Must Be Declared at Time of Donation

  • Donors may indicate a preferred allocation only at the time the donation is made.

  • Donations may be made at any point during the year, including at the beginning of the calendar year.

4. Finality of Donation Allocation (Very Important)

Once a donation is made, accepted, and recorded by HTOR:

  • ✅ The donation allocation is final and irrevocable

  • ❌ Donors cannot change, reassign, substitute, or redirect the allocation at a later date

  • ❌ This applies regardless of whether the donation was made at the beginning of the year or later

If no allocation is specified at the time of donation, the contribution will automatically be treated as a general-purpose donation.

5. No Carryover of Donations Between Years

  • Donations made in a given calendar year must be utilized within that same year.

  • Carrying over donations, credits, or unused sponsorships into a future calendar year is not permitted.

  • This applies to all categories, including pooja sponsorships, special events, and general donations.

This policy ensures accurate accounting, compliance with financial planning, and equitable access for all devotees.

6. Pooja Scheduling

  • Pooja sponsorships are scheduled based on the temple calendar and priest availability.

  • If a specific pooja cannot be performed as planned within the applicable year, HTOR will offer a reasonable alternative within the same calendar year, consistent with temple practices.

7. Non-Monetary Donations

All non-monetary donations (items, equipment, or services) require prior approval by the Executive Council and must meet current temple needs.

8. Receipts and Confidentiality

  • IRS-compliant receipts are provided for donations of $250 or more, and upon request for smaller amounts.

  • Donor information is kept confidential and is never sold or shared.

  • Donors may choose to remain anonymous or be acknowledged publicly.

9. Thank You

Your generosity strengthens our Temple and helps preserve Sanatana Dharma for future generations. We thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and continued support.