Hindu Society of Minnesota estimates the D2D project to cost around six million dollars.

According to projections, approximately $11 million in pledges will be raised, with a conservative estimate of 60% fulfillment, equating to $6.5 million for the facility. A significant portion of these funds will be raised through the offering of naming rights for various facilities, including the assembly hall and classrooms, among others. Strong support for this initiative has already been expressed by many donors.

The anticipated operating income for the new facility is based on several factors: Firstly, it is expected that the number of students enrolling in the HATS program will double from 150 to 300 due to the new and advanced facilities. The current facilities were found to be inadequate, leading to many students dropping out for various reasons. Secondly, the assembly hall within the new facility is projected to be rented out three times a month, at an average rental rate of $2000. As there is currently no other state-of-the-art assembly hall within a 25-mile radius of the temple, the rental demand is expected to be high. This will also allow the Nath Auditorium to be rented out for private and/or temple events on freed up weekends, generating an additional income of $4000 per month. Finally, miscellaneous rentals are also anticipated, bringing the net incremental annual income from the entire facility to over $225,000. These factors indicate that the projected operating income for the new facility is strong and will contribute positively to the temple's finances.

It is projected to be under $150,000

Yes, the facility will be financially self-sustaining, and in fact, it is expected to generate over $80,000 each year to the Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN) due to the incremental income from the Education/Heritage Center. The center is expected to attract a significant number of students and visitors, which will help generate revenue through various sources such as rentals and donations. The Education/Heritage Center will provide a focused learning environment that highlights the importance of cultural education alongside religion, and the facilities will create outreach opportunities that promote the community's values. This incremental income, along with the support from donors and the community, will ensure that the facility is financially self-sustaining for the long term.

This spreadsheet includes projections only for items that are not already covered by existing facilities. Additional revenue from Nath Auditorium was included because it would be freed up with the opening of this new facility. The focus is on Education & Heritage activities, and only categories of businesses that are renting there will be identified, which is not the case with the current temple facilities. As of the end of 2022, the income raised under the "Education" category was $60k, and the income raised under the "Other" category, which includes auditorium rent, was about $80k. The current facilities' total income is the sum of both categories, which amounts to $140k.

Certainly not. Maintaining the current situation is not a viable choice due to the insufficient facilities available for the growing student population. The existing classrooms fail to provide an optimal learning environment, leading to distractions and disrupting the students' educational experience. Moreover, the limited space forces activities to be rescheduled and shuffled around, causing inconvenience and restricting the students' ability to fully engage in extracurricular pursuits.

Running HATS in multiple shifts/days has been attempted before, but it was not well-received by parents and teachers. One of the main issues was the conflict with events at the temple, which often resulted in the postponement or cancellation of HATS classes, leading to demoralization and a sharp decline in student learning. Therefore, it is not a feasible solution to continue the program in this manner.

Extensive research has been conducted on the possibility of building classrooms that are part of the existing temple building. Unfortunately, it has been found that such a structure would severely compromise the architectural integrity of the temple, which is a symbol of the community's faith and cultural identity. Additionally, the structural modifications required to make this a possibility would entail significant expenditures, which could be better invested in a purpose-built facility that meets the needs of our community.

Parents prefer in-person dharma classes for their child as they provide a more engaging and immersive learning experience compared to virtual classes. In-person classes offer social interaction with peers and teachers, hands-on learning experiences, a dedicated learning environment, and a sense of community among children who share similar beliefs and values. While virtual classes may have some benefits, in-person learning cannot be replicated in a virtual setting, and it is essential for a child's spiritual and social development.

In the post-COVID era, foot traffic to the temple has increased, surpassing our expectations for event attendance and program participation. As the number of visitors continues to rise, we require more space and improved facilities to meet their needs. The proposed education, cultural, and heritage centers will enable us to serve our community effectively and cater to the growing demand for our programs and events.

The decision to not build a larger facility that includes a community and educational center was made after careful consideration of the financial implications. The HSMN leadership evaluated the cost estimates of the combined project and found them to be significantly high, which put the organization at risk of financial instability. As a result, the decision was made to focus on building a facility that is essential to the growth of the community while still being financially responsible. By prioritizing the construction of a facility that includes classrooms, assembly halls, and heritage centers, HSMN can continue to serve the community effectively without compromising its financial stability.

The Hindu Society of Minnesota is limited in space, and has reduced its ability to cater to the growing needs of its community, including HATS (Hindu American Temple School), private events, temple events, and board/TEC meetings and conferences, due to space limitations. HSMN, approaching its 50th anniversary, recognizes the importance of growth, renewal, and expansion. Given HSMN's original mission that emphasized education, the establishment of HATS not only fulfills this objective but also positions HSMN as a prominent education and cultural hub alongside its religious significance.

The buildable space is enough to accommodate all of the items in the master plan.

Although there will not be a full cafeteria, there will be a space for people to warm up their food, as well as places to comfortably sit. For fresh meals, they can walk to the dining hall in the main temple building.

The space will be a dynamic, revenue-generating hub with multiple streams of income. It will be available for rent and offer a perfect venue for hosting various events. Additionally, it will be open to teachers seeking to conduct private classes in their respective fields. Our vision is to create a captivating space that becomes the go-to destination for parents in the evenings, as it will offer a wide array of classes and activities, all conveniently available under one roof. This one-stop-shop concept will not only cater to the diverse interests of children but also provide a sense of ease and convenience for parents seeking enriching experiences for their kids.