By: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications, Inc. (GVP) Treasurer’s Office
July 27, 2012
Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja – Srila Gurudeva prioritized Gaudiya Vedanta Publications, Inc. (GVP) over every one of his projects and over the last 15+ years Srila GurudevafundedGVP’s initiatives. As an introduction, I would like to share something personal, in order to properly set the context for the following presentation on GVP. Srila Gurudeva was very interested in every aspect of GVP’s development and was inquisitive into its publishing needs and personally assured that nothing ever impedeits progress.
Whenever GVP required support and funding, we would approach Srila Gurudeva. When it came to book printing specifically, I personally recall a ‘blank check’ policy and Srila Gurudeva never asked us – ‘What for?’ or ‘When?’ He only inquired as to “How much?” and the funding occurred. Srila Gurudeva’s ears and pockets were always open for GVP. Therefore, asI update and appeal to the mass followers and supporters of Srila Gurudeva, I would like to have your ears open for a moment.
On behalf of GVP, please find below an outline of GVP’s progress from 2011-2012, and more specifically the progress of the Endowment Fund project.
Through the Endowment Fund, GVP has made financial stability advancements so that Srila Gurudeva’s publications can be maintained forever. This Fund ensures that every donation collected goes toward the specific publication that the donor directs. The money collected from the distribution of that book is then returned to that book’s endowment fund, so there is always enough capital to reprint that publication.
GVP established the Endowment Fund program 16 months ago, and as a result has successfully printed 23 publications and raised approximately $84,000. This means that these 23 titles will not need funding to reprint them in the future; they have been sponsored for more than a lifetime. However, approximately 17 donors participated in this auspicious initiative.
In order to support the functioning of the Endowment Fund, GVP has made strides in certain areas and is committed to continuously improving these areas and more.
Established Endowment Accounting System
To assist in the management of the Endowment Fund, GVP has implemented a first-class endowment accounting system designed by accounting and investment fund management professionals (US Capital Partners, LLC). Currently, the system is being maintained by the GVP Treasury Committee, which is comprised of Vishwambhara dasa and Anjali dasi.
Created Fundraising Website
The newly established website – www.mygvp.com – provides a detailed outline of the GVP Endowment Fund and the variety of ways one can participate. This site was built and continues to be maintained by Madana-mohini dasi, Dhananjaya prabhu and Samba prabhu (of Loud Lion Enterprises).
Established India International Central Warehouse
For the Endowment Fund to maintain financial integrity, it is of utmost importance that all publications distributed are accounted for and that the highest standards of inventory management are implemented. Therefore, in addition to GVP’s Western-based third party warehouse and fulfillment center in Michigan, USA, GVP recently established a central warehouse in New Delhi, India, thereby consolidating GVP’s inventory all over India into a third-party warehouse and fulfillment center, which is managed by Anita didi and Aadesh ji (Spectrum Printers).
Facilitated Increased Book Distribution
GVP established The Book Distribution Sponsorship Committee and through Syamarani didi’s leadership and example, this program has inspired so many in service of book distribution. The GVP team has developed and updated its website (http://gvpbookdistribution.com/), financially facilitated the project, and offered logistical services. The GVP Book Distribution team, consisting of devotees from all over the world, isdedicated to distributing Srila Gurudeva’s transcendental message. Some have undertaken book distribution in India, the United States and other parts of the world, while through the established GVP sponsorship program others have established prison programs, library programs, and many other seva teams. The Gangamatas and the newly established Gaudiya Girls book distribution party are examples of how second- and third-generation devotees are engaging in transcendental book distribution and also inspiring many others.
Bhaktistore.com, GVP’s central ecommerce site, has recently engaged a website management and marketing firm to upgrade its website for improved customer interface and online visibility.
Established the GVP Archives Fund
The GVP has established the Archives Fund, is financially contributing to the project, and is fundraising in favor of this project. The GVP Archives subcommittee, consisting mainly of Isa prabhu and Gaurapriya didi, preserve GVP publications, and Srila Gurudeva’s audio and video files, and have been committed to providing free content online (www.purebhakti.tv), available for all to subscribe to without any fees. Their tireless dedication assures the continuation of this service.
Established the GVP Editorial Committee
Recently, in order to continue the flow of publications and protect and maintain editorial integrity and standards, GVP established an Editorial Committee comprising qualified and dedicated GVP publication sevakas, with advisory services provided by Sripad Bhaktivedanta Tirtha Maharaja and Sripad Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja, when required.
Expanded GVP’s Board of Directors
GVP recently expanded its Board of Directors (previously Radha-kanta prabhu, Anita dasi, and Vishwambhara prabhu) to forge a stronger connection with publication sevakas and to include international representation. GVP has invited Krsna-karunya prabhu (living in Sri KesavajiGaudiyaMatha, Mathura) and Mohini didi (from Costa Rica) to serve on the Board of Directors. Both accepted our invitation and are contributing to the development and execution of GVP strategies.
Conclusion
We wish to offer our sincere gratitude to all the sevakas and supporters around the world for their heartfeltofferings and deep consistent commitments to Srila Gurudeva’s publications. So many achievements would not have been possible without your support. Srila Gurudeva’s heartis open to the GVP sevaks and supporters and we welcome many more to join the team. Anyway you can help please reach out to any GVP sevak you know and offer them your services, if its time, finances, or encouragement,everything is welcomed and valued. Srila Gurudeva will hear of all the great GVP services– as his ears are always open for GVP.
Special thanks to the collective support of our patrons, for it would not have been possible for the GVP to publish and distribute so many books the past 16 months. Special appreciationalso to Srimati Syamarani didi and Sripad Bhaktivedanta Tirtha Maharaj for their ongoing financial support and wonderful inspiration.
All glories to Srila Gurudeva and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada!
Yours in the service of Sri Hari, Guru, and Vaisnavas,
Vishwambhara dasa (Treasurer, GVP)
Note: Please see reference of GVP English Publishing donations report from 2011 through May 2012. More details to come, at a later date, regarding status of endowment funds, and inventory and cash levels for reprinting of the publications that are already endowed.
GVP English Publishing Donations 2011-2012
| Title | Total Inventory Printed | Endowed Cost | donation $ | Source |
| Bhagavad-gita | 5,000 | $21,029.07 | $21,029.07 | Endowment Fund |
| Bhakti-rasayan | 2,000 | $2,022.40 | $2,022.40 | Endowment Fund |
| Caitanya Mahaprabhu- the Original form of Godhead | 3,000 | $2,009.14 | $2,009.14 | Endowment Fund |
| Camatkar-candrika | 2,000 | $1,384.58 | $1,384.58 | Endowment Fund |
| Damodarastakam | 2,000 | $1,953.48 | $1,953.48 | Endowment Fund |
| Going Beyond Vaikuntha | 2,000 | $1,862.84 | $1,862.84 | Endowment Fund |
| Rays of The Harmonist 2011- Entering Nitya-lila, Kartika ed | 1,500 | $1,805.98 | $1,805.98 | Endowment Fund |
| Impressions of Bhakti | 5,000 | $1,126.18 | $1,200.00 | Endowment Fund |
| Jaiva-dharma – balance due from 2010 | 2,000 | $2,758.83 | $2,864.00 | General Fund |
| Morning Walk Series 2009 | 5,000 | $7,280.33 | $7,280.33 | Endowment Fund |
| Nectar of Govinda-lila | 2,000 | $1,654.69 | $1,654.69 | Endowment Fund |
| Prahlada Coloring book | 2,000 | $1,135.28 | $1,135.28 | Endowment Fund |
| Prema Samputa | 2,000 | $1,324.38 | $1,324.38 | Endowment Fund |
| The Hidden Path of Devotion | 5,000 | $3,105.52 | $3,891.00 | Endowment Fund |
| The Speciality of the Gift of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu | 5,000 | $1,128.75 | $1,128.75 | Endowment Fund |
| Journey of the Soul | 5,000 | $10,930.38 | $10,715.00 | Endowment Fund |
| Rays of The Harmonist – Gd’s Tirobhava tithi edition | 1,500 | $9,405.66 | $9,405.66 | Endowment Fund |
| Gaudiya-gitti-guccha – Black ed reprint | 1,000 | $1,408.65 | $1,408.65 | Endowment Fund |
| Siksatakam | 2,000 | $1,744.83 | $1,744.83 | Endowment Fund |
| Gurudevatama | 3,000 | $718.72 | $718.72 | Endowment Fund |
| My Siksa-guru Priya-bandhu | 3,000 | $718.72 | $870 | Endowment Fund |
| Slokamarta-bindu | 3,000 | $3,457.98 | 3,457.98 | Endowment Fund |
| Soul of Book Distribution | 3,000 | $3,202.51 | $1,918.79 | Endowment Fund |
| $1,283.72 | General Fund | |||
| Endowment Fund | $79,921.55 | |||
| General Fund | $4,147.72 | |||
| 2011-2012 Total Printing Expense | $84,069.27 | |||
- Endowment Fund. Last year, approximately 17 donors participated in the endowment program. In his preface to his books, Srila Gurudeva always acknowledged those who contributed to sponsoring his publications. The English publications will also properly credit those who donate to a publication.
- General Fund. This refers to the profits generated from book sales and from general donations. Last year, over 30 donors contributed to this fund.
Download this 2011-2012 Printing and Donations Report in Excel
Download this 2011-2012 Printing and Donations Report as PDF