Q: What is the purpose of Foundation Beyond Belief?

A: Foundation Beyond Belief is a charitable and educational foundation. On the charitable side, our purpose is to focus, encourage, and demonstrate the generosity and compassion of atheists and humanists in the interest of a better world. On the educational side, the Foundation will train nontheistic parent community leaders in cities across the U.S. and Canada and provide funding and curricular support to their groups.

THE CHARITABLE GIVING PROGRAM

Q: How does the charitable giving program work?

A: The Foundation highlights ten charities per quarter--one in each of ten areas (health, poverty, environment, education, human rights, peace, animal protection, child welfare, small charities, and the Foundation itself). Members join the Foundation by signing up for an automatic monthly donation in the amount of their choice, then indicate how they would like it distributed among the ten categories. At the end of each quarter, 100 percent of donations received is forwarded to the beneficiaries and a new slate featured.

Q: What are the criteria for selecting a beneficiary?

A: Among other considerations, beneficiaries are chosen for efficiency, effectiveness, moderate size (annual budget <$10M), compatibility with humanist focus on mutual care in this world and this life, non-proselytizing, and geographic diversity.

Q: What if I don't like one of the beneficiaries you select?

A: That will certainly happen from time to time, which is why members can change their allocation at any time. Suppose you have 50 percent of your distribution in Child Welfare, then one quarter we choose an organization you do not wish to support. You would simply go into your Profile, move your 50 percent into another category, and you're all set.

Q: Can members help choose the beneficiaries?

A: Active members can join online discussions centered on the categories of giving, advocate for causes, and help us choose the new beneficiaries each quarter. The final decisions will be made by the Board, but collective member input will be among the most important considerations.

Q: How can I submit an organization for consideration?

A: Click on Nominate a Charity.

Q: Will you fund only charities at work in the US?

A: No. Though many of our beneficiaries may be headquartered in the US, most will be international in the scope of their work. HealthRight International, for example, one of our first featured charities, has projects in 11 countries.  Another in the first slate is War Child UK, an organization that works in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  We'd be thrilled to consider charities based anywhere in the world.  Click Nominate a Charity to suggest one.

Q: I keep seeing references to automatic monthly donations. Can't I make a one-time donation?

A:  Yes, you can. We will always have a way to make a one-time donation to the Foundation itself (by clicking on Donate), and individuals can go directly to our featured charities if they wish to make one-time donations to them. But this Foundation exists for a very specific purpose -- not just collecting money for causes, but helping to create a systematic culture of giving among atheists and humanists. That's why actual Foundation membership requires a regular monthly commitment in the amount of your choice -- even $5 a month will do -- to build that culture of systematic, regular giving. We also hope to build an ongoing conversation around best practices for humanist philanthropy, and that requires an ongoing, connected community.

WORLDVIEW QUESTIONS

Q: Why do you opt for "humanist" instead of "atheist" in the mission statement and elsewhere?

A: The two terms emphasize different aspects of the same nontheistic worldview. Atheism is the simple belief that no gods exist. Secular humanism describes the philosophy, ethics, and values that flow from this belief. Since the Foundation is an expression of those values, "humanist" and "secular humanist" are primarily used. 

Q: What are the worldviews of your board members?

A: The Board of Directors consists entirely of atheists and humanists.

Q: I'm a religious person. Can I be a member?

Well sure! Secular humanists volunteer for and donate to religious organizations all the time. Another analogy would be the Gay Straight Alliances across North America, which heterosexual members can join to support the efforts of their GLBT friends to achieve equal treatment. By joining a humanist foundation, you are supporting this effort by humanists to contribute to making the world a better place.  

 FOUNDATION FUNDING

Q: If 100 percent of donations goes to the beneficiaries, how is the Foundation funded?

A: Through grants, a $9 annual membership fee, and discretionary donations. The Foundation will be one of the ten choices in each quarter, and members may choose whether or not to allocate some portion of their monthly donation to the Foundation.

Q: Why is there a $9 annual membership fee at all?

A:  Many organizations collecting for charities take a percentage of each dollar to cover their own expenses. The Foundation board preferred to collect a small set fee once a year so members would know that 100 percent of their donations go to the charities they choose to support. 

Q: Are donations tax-deductible?

A: Yes -- in the United States. Our US tax exemption is in process, during which the IRS permits applicants to accept tax-deductible donations. We will be investigating exemption requirements in several other countries at a later date. Early member feedback indicates that Canada, the UK, and Australia are of greatest interest.

Q:  How will the Foundation itself provide financial transparency and accountability?

A:  During the first year of incorporation, the Foundation is working with The Foundation Group, a 501(c)(3) consultancy, to ensure that sound financial practices are established. We are currently in the process of selecting a permanent non-profit accounting firm to handle finances going forward. Several specific budget items, including staff compensation, will not be finalized until an income baseline is established. All compensation and expenditures will be set according to established best practices for non-profits, and regular financial reports will be posted on the website.

FOUNDATION STAFF

Q:  Is the Foundation run by volunteers?

A:  The Foundation staff consists of a paid Executive Director, four quarter-time staffers, an unpaid Board of Directors, and approximately twenty volunteers.  Compensated staff will be paid through grants and discretionary donations only, not from the membership fee. Compensation will be set well within non-profit norms and will be publicly reported.

Q: Are you hiring staff/looking for volunteers?

A: The Foundation has several part-time staff positions, as well as several volunteer opportunities. Watch the Job/Volunteer Listings page.

Q: Why didn't you answer my other question? 

A: Send it here. We'll update this FAQ as needed.