The Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) is an umbrella of Bangladeshi Americans living in the USA and Canada. FOBANA celebrates the success of the Bangladeshi American community in North America. Since its inception in 1987, it has worked tirelessly to introduce Bangladeshi culture to the next generation in the United States and Canada. The organization is based in Washington, D.C., USA. The Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) also celebrates and upholds the multicultural aspect of American society by introducing Bangladeshi culture and tradition to other communities. Under the slogan “FOBANA is an institution, not just an annual convention,” the organization set out to engage more with the Bangladeshi community.
FOBANA is a non-profit, non-political, and non-discriminatory IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt (Tax ID 26-1747615) organization. FOBANA has received appreciation for its work in assimilating Bangladeshi people into mainstream North American society. The organization symbolizes hope, aspiration, and a unifying force behind bringing the Bangladeshi community together. The organization accepts donations from businesses, corporations, and individuals for general and scholarship funds.
The aims that FOBANA wants to accomplish are the following:
- Annual convention every two years
- National Seminar on Bangladesh Issues
- Showcase of Bangladeshi talents
- Develop new leadership from young Bangladeshis
- Help Bangladeshi senior citizens live a happy and healthy life
- Help develop women’s leadership
- Practice democracy
- Maintain strong communication with Bangladesh and US leadership
- Lobby for Bangladesh in the USA and Canada
- Celebrate diversity
- Access to foundation funds, etc.
Executive Member Organizations of FOBANA
Bangladesh American Association of Georgia (BAAG), Georgia
Bangladesh Association of Greater Washington DC (BAGWDC), Virginia
Bangladesh Association of Florida (BAF), Florida
Bangladesh Association of America (BAAI)
Bangladesh Association of Houston (BAH), Texas
Bangladesh Association of Montreal, Canada
Bangladesh Association of Georgia (BAGI), Georgia
Bangladesh Association for Greater Kansas City (BAGKC), Kansas
Bangladesh Association of New Jersey (BANJ), New Jersey
Bangladesh Association of North Texas (BANT), Texas
Bangladesh Community of Greater Chicago (BCGC), Illinois
Bangladesh Community of Los Angeles (BCLA), California
Bangladesh Expatriate Society of Texas (BEST), Texas
Drama Circle, New York
Texas Bengali Cultural Alliance (TBCA), Texas
FOBANA Standing Committees
• Bangladesh Liaison Committee
• Legal Committee
• Business and Investment Committee
• Unification Committee
• Constitution and Procedure Review Committee
• Media and Public Awareness Committee
• Seminar Committee
• Women Empowerment Committee
• Cultural Committee
• Budget and Finance Committee
• Mainstream Liaison Committee
• Membership Review Committee
• Social Network Committee
• Youth Forum Committee
• Goodwill and Promotion Committee
• Unification Committee
• Web and Technology Committee
Membership Fees
Organization Registration (To get voting rights at AGM): $250
Annual Organization Membership: $50
Annual Individual EC Membership: $50