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Just as the formulation of Baha'i constitutions had provided the foundation for the incorporation of Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies, so did the recognition accorded by local and national authorities to the elected representatives of Baha'i communities pave the way for the establishment of national and local Baha'i endowments-- a historic undertaking which, as had been the case with previous achievements of far- reaching importance, the American Baha'i Community was the first to initiate. In most cases these endowments, owing to their religious character, have been exempted from both government and municipal taxes, as a result of representations made by the incorporated Baha'i bodies to the civil authorities, though the value of the properties thus exempted has, in more than one country, amounted to a considerable sum.
(337:1)
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