Starting a Bread for the Journey Chapter
BFJ’s international headquarters in Novato, California is here to assist motivated and committed people around the country in beginning and sustaining Bread for the Journey chapters by providing training, ongoing coaching, and operational support.
To assist our new and existing chapters, we provide:
- A 120 page custom Resource Guide filled with tools, and templates for starting and maintaining a local philanthropic organization
- Training, ongoing consultation and coaching to assist in developing a solid foundation grounded in our basic principles
- An IRS letter of federal tax exemption, providing nonprofit status to all chapters
- Sample articles of incorporation and by-laws for quick and easy incorporation in your own state
- An annual retreat for skill-building for running a community-based charity, sharing our stories, peer-to-peer learning, vision setting and evaluation, and personal renewal
- A website for publishing local grants, events and a place for chapters to receive online donations
- National publicity through our founder, Wayne Muller’s, books, CDs, and speaking engagements
Give Grants Mindfully
Local chapters give one-time seed grants up to three thousand dollars. Chapter board members meet with grantees in person to exchange ideas, and offer creative support and heartfelt encouragement. The heart of our work lies in the personal exchange between people, each bringing their unique gifts to the table.
Support Relationships Before Proposals
Our chapters make decisions based on personal interaction, rather than paperwork and formal proposals. Using common sense, trust and relationship to guide the way, we are free to respond promptly to people's grant requests when their passion and enthusiasm are strongest.
Assess Strengths Before Needs
Local chapters support people who have a dream and believe in what they're doing as an important offering of service. They are the strength of their community and we trust them to know what is needed. By supporting them, we support solutions that arise from the community itself - often giving life to projects people have dreamed about for years.
Keep it Simple
Our chapters are run by volunteers from their living rooms and kitchens. We have fun and keep it simple. When we have money, we give it away. When we don't, we don't. Local chapters have little or no overhead.
Find the Wealth in Each Community
Some people have time wealth, some have money wealth. Others have compassion wealth or perhaps wisdom wealth. By combining the various things that people have to offer, wealth in the community is invested in a way that grants an enormous return. We help people join together so that communities everywhere can reap the benefits of their true wealth.
Trust People
We believe the process of trusting a person is the first step in improving a community. The simple gift of our faith, along with a small amount of financial support, is what helps bring so many healing projects to light.
If you are interested in starting a chapter of Bread for the Journey in your community, please contact our headquarters.