AMANDA METSKAS is Executive Director of Camp Quest, our current beneficiary in the "Big Bang" category -- small charities (budgets under $1 million) making a big impact. Amanda launches our new ASK THE CHARITIES series by responding to questions submitted by our members.

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Q I'm sure you get this question all the time. We're in southeastern Wyoming, just about maddeningly halfway between the Camp Quests in CA and MN. What are CQ's plans for expansion, and might they include something in or around the Mountain timezone? -- Dean W., Wyoming

A People regularly contact us because they want to see a Camp Quest get started in their area. We would love to see Camp Quest programs available to families everywhere, and I'd especially love to see a camp in the Rocky Mountains! Since we are a small organization with only one paid staff person, our expansion to new camps is driven by where we find local volunteers who are committed to starting camps. We help those independent groups of volunteers with training, troubleshooting, start-up grants, promotional materials, and other support. If you are interested in getting a camp started in your area, contact us and we'll help you get going! 

Q How do you explain what Camp Quest is about to people who insist you're indoctrinating kids with Atheism? -- Paul P. (no location given)

Foundation Beyond Belief is thrilled to welcome HEIDI ANDERSON as our new Development Coordinator.

A self-described "foxy feminist atheist skeptic fat chick, wife, and mom with a hard-core science fetish" and one of the original co-hosts of Podcast Beyond Belief, Heidi also brings years of professional experience in fundraising and development for non-profits.

Heidi will devote her considerable skills and energy to securing the financial well-being of the Foundation itself, making sure we have the resources to continue growing, developing, and innovating as we move into our second year and beyond.

Please join me in welcoming Heidi Anderson to the Foundation team!

Foundation Beyond Belief is grateful for receipt of a grant from the James Hervey Johnson Charitable and Educational Trust to support the operation of the Foundation itself.

This experiment in humanist philanthropy is not without costs, especially in its first year. Bookkeeping, grant writing, web design and maintenance, web hosting, marketing, publicity, and bank fees are just a few of our ongoing needs. And since we are committed to 100 percent pass-through of donations to our beneficiaries and have now made membership free, we rely entirely on separate donations from grantors and individuals to keep us on course.

Many thanks to the JHJ Trust and to all donors large and small who've found this effort worth supporting!

Make a direct donation to support the Foundation