About Us

 

Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) is a registered non-profit organization under 501 (c) (3). TAFM was formed in 1992 to aid in the resettlement of Tibetan immigrants to the state of Minnesota. U.S. Congress under the Immigration Act of 1990 granted one thousand immigrant visas to Tibetans living in India and Nepal. With the help of a group of volunteers and American host families, 160 Tibetans were settled in the Twin Cities area in 1992-93. Over the years, with gradual re-unification of family members, the Twin Cities’ Tibetan American population increased many fold to approximately three thousand and continuing to grow. Minnesota now has the second largest Tibetan American community in the United States. Most of the Tibetans reside in and around the areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Tibetan new arrivals to Minnesota under the “immigrant” status are not eligible for any public assistance funds. In fact, prospective Tibetan immigrants have to prove their self sufficiency prior to setting foot in the United States. Since their first arrival in the state of Minnesota in 1992, Tibetans have worked hard against all odds to build a thriving and exemplary community that place strong emphasis on self reliance and education.

Mission

TAFM is committed to preserving and promoting the rich Tibetan cultural and spiritual heritage under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Programs

Tibetan language School • Traditional Music and Dance Lesson • Sports and Youth development • Spiritual Services • Social Services • Student Mentorship • Scholarships • Guest Speakers • Health Education • Events and Functions

Registration Form for Tibetan Cultural School (Click here to download) Tibetan Culture School, an educational program of Tibetan  American Foundation of Minnesota was founded in 1997 by its members. The  mission of this Culture School is to assist MN Tibetan children to learn their Language,  History, Religion and Cultural Heritage and instill in them basic values of  compassion, humility, respect and nationalism. One of the TAFM board members,  the Chair of Education Committee, is entrusted with the responsibility to  ensure smooth functioning of the school and other educational programs. The  program coordinator, a staff of TAFM runs the Tibetan Culture […]

Tibetan Cultural School

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The main emphasis  of the Tibetan Performing Arts classes is on empowering our youth on the skills  of Tibetan songs and dances. Aside from being a mere artistic expression,  Tibetan songs and dances represent people’s way of life in different regions  and time period of Tibetan history. For our children here in Minnesota, the  Tibetan Performing Arts has become a gateway to understanding other aspects of  the Tibetan culture. Currently, we have three different groups of children at  our weekend classes ranging from age 7 to 18. We have observed first hand that  children’s participation in cultural performance improves their […]

Cultural Performance

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7 Tibetan students from Carleton and St. Olaf College founded LÂMTÖN in 2008.  Having, themselves, benefited from similar programs during high school, these college students saw a need for, and the value of, having such a program in the Tibetan community. In order to promote higher education within the Minnesota Tibetan-American community, LÂMTÖN provides Tibetan middle school and high school students with an opportunity to: It is a program created by Tibetan students and for Tibetan students. If you are interested in joining LÂMTÖN, please contact us at LamtonMN@gmail.com or follow our Lamton Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mnlamton Lamton meets during the school year […]

Lamton

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As the Tibetan community continues to grow in the  Twin Cities, the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) felt the need  to help our members in dealing with their personal losses. As the Tibetan  people’s culture and attitude toward life varies from the mainstream American  culture, many personal and societal issues that Tibetans confront are new and  unprecedented. While Americans have an existing social structure and resources  that meet their needs, Tibetan immigrants face serious setbacks due to cultural  differences. TAFM strives to fill that gap. When our members get sick and  hospitalized, or there is death of a Tibetan, […]

Social Service

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Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota’s (TAFM)  Spiritual Committee performs an important function to meet the growing needs of  the Tibetan and American Buddhists. At the TAFM’s center, major Tibetan  Buddhist festivals are observed. Occasionally, Central Tibetan Administration sends  circulars to the Tibetan associations and settlements worldwide to observe  needful religious ceremonies or prayers. Likewise, our members fulfill those at  our center. Heeding the constant advice of His Holiness the  Dalai Lama, TAFM organizes religious teachings and debates to intellectually  stimulate, especially Tibetan youths’ interest in the sublime teachings of the  peerless Buddha. We seek expertise and coordinate some Buddhist congregations  […]

Spiritual

 

Become a Member Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota’s (TAFM)  operation depends on financial support from the Tibetan community and its  supporters. Your annual membership fees help the TAFM organize its many  programs and add to the richness of Twin Cities’ cultural diversity. TAFM’s  basic membership fee is $50 annually. Ever since the inception of the TAFM in 1992,  members have been paying an annual membership dues to meet the operational  costs of the foundations center and its many activities. Basic membership fee  of $50 was approved by the members in a General Body meeting in 2019.  At various social, cultural […]

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Future Programs

With the increasing Tibetan population in the Twin Cities, TAFM purchased a new space to accommodate our growing needs in the city of Isanti. However, the space alone is not enough. We need to build addition classrooms and below is an idea of what we plan for the future:
  • Enough space and rooms for up to 250 students of the Tibetan Culture School.
  • Media center for students.
  • Recreation facility (basketball) for youth.
  • Enough capacity to accommodate 500 people for events.
  • Enable services for senior citizens.

Help us reach our goal by

TAFM-Bylaws-2023 Download the Form