Hindu American Foundation

About

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit advocacy organization founded in 2003 that serves as the premier education and advocacy group for Hindu Americans. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, HAF advances the understanding of Hindu Dharma traditions while working to secure the rights and dignity of Hindu Americans now and for generations to come. HAF's work spans three core focus areas: education, policy, and community. In education, the organization develops resources for K-12 students, parents, and educators, including toolkits on Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali, the Hinduism 101 series, and puja guides. HAF has reached over 2.2 million students through accurate lesson materials and works with teachers across school districts to promote cultural proficiency in teaching about Hinduism. On the policy front, HAF engages with federal, state, and local government officials on issues affecting the Hindu American community, including hate crime legislation, religious freedom protections, and anti-bullying initiatives. The organization has successfully advocated for the inclusion of an 'anti-Hindu' category in law enforcement hate crime reporting and works to address discrimination through legislative advocacy and coalition-building with civil rights groups. Through community engagement, HAF operates an Advocacy Center, organizes events and webinars, and provides resources for parents navigating school systems. The organization addresses concerning statistics, including that 1 in 3 Hindu American students report being bullied for their religious beliefs, and responds to hate crime incidents affecting temples and community members across the country.