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Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) was founded in 2009 in Georgia, USA by Dale McGowan. FBB unites the humanist community in charitable and volunteer efforts, and advocates for compassionate action throughout the world. It’s up to us to make this world a better place. Foundation Beyond Belief is humanity at work.

Atheists Respond to US Border and Detention Crisis

Foundation Beyond Belief ❖ www.foundationbeyondbelief.org

Contact: Noelle George, Executive Director ❖ 281-450-1178 ❖ noelle@foundationbeyondbelief.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Atheists Respond to US Border and Detention Crisis

(Wed., July 3, 2019) Barker, TX. – As alarming news about conditions at the US-Mexico border continues to intensify, international secular humanist charity Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) is adding to the growing list of religious and moral organizations calling for action on the crisis.

Through its Humanist Disaster Recovery (HDR) program, which serves as a focal point for the nonreligious community’s response to major natural disasters and complex humanitarian crises, FBB has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars given as grants to organizations worldwide. Its volunteers, staff and donors largely identify as humanists: individuals who emphasize tending to common human needs regardless of the validity of theological belief. FBB is now turning HDR’s spotlight onto the US border and detention crisis.

While the number of migrants entering the country through the southern border of the United States has declined in recent years, most of these immigrants are children, and most are fleeing violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The Trump administration’s policies regarding these asylum seekers and other immigrants have created horrifying conditions on both sides of the US’s southern border as well as in detention centers.

“Children and families are fleeing to our country in pursuit of the American dream—safety, freedom and the chance to prosper,” says Noelle George, FBB’s executive director. “Those who survive the journey are jailed in squalid conditions at overcrowded detention centers without legal representation. Current US immigration policies and practices are harmful, inhumane and even deadly. As humanists, we must respond.”

FBB’s comments bolster those made recently by allied organizations, including American Atheists, which has condemned the US deaths of asylum seekers as “a collective disgrace;” American Ethical Union, which has denounced family separation as a violation of “profound ethical principles;” and American Humanist Association, which has called on “all individuals with any sense of decency to do anything in their power to mitigate the effects” of the United States’ “intentionally cruel” migrant detention policy.

FBB launched a fundraising campaign last week to support The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, which provides free legal services to adults and children in immigration custody in Arizona facing deportation. In addition to raising funds for the Florence Project, FBB will be working with its service teams around the country to coordinate advocacy and action. FBB also encourages humanists and other people-of-conscience to join or create a protest vigil in their local community along with thousands of others nationwide who will be participating in “Lights for Liberty” vigils July 12 to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants.

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Fast Facts about Foundation Beyond Belief:

Since 2010, FBB has given more than $2.5M to reputable charities including more than $31,000 to organizations serving immigrants and refugees.
FBB’s network includes more than 150 local service teams in the United States and internationally.
Volunteer teams in FBB’s network have donated 125,000 volunteer hours since the organization was founded in 2009.

Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that unites the humanist community in charitable and volunteer efforts and advocates for compassionate action throughout the world.

Atheist Nonprofit to Give $25K to Foundation Beyond Belief

Foundation Beyond Belief
www.foundationbeyondbelief.org
Contact: Noelle George, Executive Director * 281-450-1178 * noelle@foundationbeyondbelief.org

Atheist Community of Austin
www.atheist-community.org
Contact: Eric Murphy, Director of Communications * 805-666-9414 * eric@atheist-community.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Atheist Nonprofit to Give $25K to Foundation Beyond Belief

(Wed., Jan. 23, 2019) Barker, TX. – A local Texas nonprofit, the Atheist Community of Austin (ACA), is awarding $25,500 to the national secular charity organization Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) as part of a new partnership between the two groups. ACA is making its official announcement Sunday, January 27 at 4:30 p.m. on its flagship YouTube show, The Atheist Experience. The show can be viewed live at: youtube.com/theatheistexperience.

The funding for the new partnership comes mainly through revenue from ACA’s nine educational programs on YouTube. Both ACA and its leading show, The Atheist Experience, will turn 22 this year—and the show just reached 250,000 followers. With the success of these programs, ACA is in a position to expand its contributions to secular humanitarian work.

The grant will be directed to FBB’s Beyond Belief Network, a collective of over 150 humanist, atheist, and other non-believing organizations putting compassionate humanism into action through community volunteering and charitable fundraising. The program’s primary goal is to encourage local groups to do service events and to increase the size and number of service events that groups are able to organize.

“We’re thrilled about the opportunity to partner with the Atheist Community of Austin,” says FBB Executive Director, Noelle George. “This funding will enable us to really strengthen our volunteer network nationwide so that teams are able to do more in their local communities.”

Fast Facts about Foundation Beyond Belief:

Since 2010, FBB has given more than $2.5M to reputable charities, including more than $115K for Hurricane Harvey relief.
FBB’s network includes more than 150 local service teams in the United States and internationally, including 5 cities in Texas (Austin, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Houston, and San Antonio).
FBB’s teams have donated 125,000 volunteer hours since the organization was founded in 2009.

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Houston charity’s Humanist Disaster Recovery will respond to Hurricane Harvey devastation

Foundation Beyond Belief

www.foundationbeyondbelief.org

Contact: Noelle George * 281-450-1178 * noelle@foundationbeyondbelief.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Houston charity’s Humanist Disaster Recovery will respond to Hurricane Harvey devastation

(Mon., Aug. 28, 2017) Barker, TX. – Houston-based secular humanist charity, Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB), announced Friday a Humanist Disaster Recovery fundraising campaign to help those suffering worst from Hurricane Harvey. FBB is a non-profit which promotes secular volunteerism and responsible charitable giving. It and its global network of volunteers, service corps, and allied charities serves as a hub for the humanist response to major humanitarian crises globally.

Two of FBB’s staff have homes threatened by the storm. Executive Director Noelle George has remained in her Houston home with her family, committing to acting as the organization’s “eyes and ears” on the ground as her community faces the event. She continues to post live social media updates about her experience in the storm.

“I can not express in words how devastating this event is proving to be for Houston and other areas in south Texas,” released Ms. George in an online statement. “Bayous have already reached record-breaking levels. The TV news just said there have been over 2,000 rescues just in Houston. They are predicting the rain will continue for days.”

Those interested in making a contribution to the effort can do so on Foundation Beyond Belief’s website at www.fbbgive.org. The organization will wait for the disaster to unfold to determine the best use for the funds.

Link: Foundation Beyond Belief Hurricane Harvey relief fund donation page

Fast Facts about Foundation Beyond Belief:

FBB has given more than $2M to charity since 2010
FBB’s network includes more 125 local service teams—including 6 groups in Texas
FBB’s teams have donated 4,400 volunteer hours so far in 2017—and this doesn’t include the many atheists who volunteer for charity as individuals, or secular societies that are not part of the Beyond Belief Network
Teams in Texas have donated almost 2,500 volunteer hours in 2017 alone—and have thousands more hours planned

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Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2009 in Georgia, USA by Dale McGowan. FBB unites the humanist community in charitable and volunteer efforts, and advocates for compassionate action throughout the world. It’s up to us to make this world a better place. Foundation Beyond Belief is humanity at work.

Secular Humanist Charity Responds to San Antonio Mayor’s Anti-Atheist Comments

Foundation Beyond Belief

www.foundationbeyondbelief.org

Contact: Noelle George * 281-450-1178 * noelle@foundationbeyondbelief.org

South Texas Atheists for Reason

www.southtxatheistsforreason.org

Contact: Vicki Gettman * 210-904-7199 * southtexasatheistsforreason@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Secular Humanist Charity Responds to San Antonio Mayor’s Anti-Atheist Comments

(Tues., April 25, 2017) San Antonio—Speaking at a candidate forum earlier this month, San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor answered a question about the roots of systemic poverty by pointing to “people not being in a relationship with their creator.” Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB), an international humanist charity, and its San Antonio service team, South Texas Atheists for Reason (STAR), responded today by extending an invitation to Mayor Taylor to join one of STAR’s many upcoming volunteer opportunities.

“Some people have a misconception that good works have to be tied to religion. But that’s obviously false,” said Vicki Gettman, executive director of STAR. “We’re hoping Mayor Taylor will come out and see the great work her atheist constituents are doing to contribute to the community.”

STAR is one of 125 groups nationally that participate in the Beyond Belief Network, the volunteer arm of FBB. Other FBB projects include a charitable giving program that has doled out more than $2M in grants to organizations working on poverty, health, education, human rights and the natural world. The nonprofit also participates in international service through its Humanist Action: Ghana, and responds to disasters via the Humanist Disaster Recovery program.

“At Foundation Beyond Belief, we support charitable efforts in the humanist community,” said Noelle George, executive director of Foundation Beyond Belief. “We’ve seen thousands of examples of atheists and other nonbelievers who, without a belief in any creator, are tackling issues like systemic poverty and education. Moving forward, we hope Mayor Taylor will view FBB and our Texas groups as community partners rather than disparaging us.”

Fast Facts about Foundation Beyond Belief:

FBB has given more than $2M to charity since 2010
FBB’s network includes more 125 local service teams—including 6 groups in Texas
FBB’s teams have donated 4400 volunteer hours so far in 2017—and this doesn’t include the many atheists who volunteer for charity as individuals, or secular societies that are not part of the Beyond Belief Network
Teams in Texas have donated almost 2500 volunteer hours in 2017 alone—and have thousands more hours planned

Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) was founded in 2009 in Georgia, USA by Dale McGowan. FBB unites the humanist community in charitable and volunteer efforts, and advocates for compassionate action throughout the world. It’s up to us to make this world a better place. Foundation Beyond Belief is humanity at work.

Attachment:

Letter to Mayor Ivy Taylor from South Texas Atheists for Reason

Photo cutlines:

STAR members gather for fellowship and service
STAR volunteers regularly with the San Antonio River Authority
STAR t-shirts emphasize contributing to the community

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Foundation Beyond Belief Launches “Giving Together” Year-End Fundraising Campaign

For Immediate Release. Please include on your blog.

Foundation Beyond Belief Contact: Noelle George, 281 450-1178, noelle@foundationbeyondbelief.org

On November 17, 2016, Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) launched its 2016 year-end fundraising campaign: Giving Together. The campaign will raise funds for the organization’s 2017 operations.

FBB offers a number of vital programs by and for humanists, atheists, and other nonbelievers:

Helping communities achieve long-term recovery after a disaster;
Empowering women and girls in Northern Ghana through the current Service Corps project;
Bringing together humanist and other non-believing groups throughout the United States to encourage community volunteering and charitable fundraising;
Providing catalyst grants to small, grassroots organizations working in the areas of poverty and health, human rights, education, and the natural world.

The Giving Together campaign directly benefits FBB. Executive Director Noelle George explains, “The board, part-time staff, and volunteers at FBB work hard all year to provide ways for humanists to get involved. We fundraise for our operating costs only once a year, so that the rest of the year we can focus on the people in need.”

FBB asks supporters to give now to provide a way for humanists to help on a local, national, and global scale. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for the Giving Together Campaign. We are asking our network of bloggers to share this information on their blogs to help us spread the word. Learn more by visiting www.fbbgive.org.

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Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) is a humanist charity founded in 2009 in Georgia, USA by Dale McGowan. FBB unites the humanist community in charitable and volunteer efforts, and advocates for compassionate action throughout the world. We forward our mission through our programs: Grants, Disaster Recovery, Service Corps, and Volunteer Network. It’s up to us to make this world a better place. Foundation Beyond Belief is humanity at work.

Humanist Organization Picks Unique Beneficiary for Hurricane Matthew Drive

For Immediate Release

Foundation Beyond Belief Contact:

Noelle George, 281 450-1178, noelle@foundationbeyondbelief.org

(October 11th, 2016)-Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) has launched a Humanist Disaster Recovery Drive to aid the people affected by Hurricane Matthew, and we have chosen Lambi Fund of Haiti (LFH) as our beneficiary. Hurricane Matthew has already caused over 1000 deaths in Haiti, displaced thousands, and destroyed homes. Cholera, already a problem in Haiti, is becoming a concern.

Lambi Fund of Haiti has previous experience working in disaster recovery – they set up an emergency fund to help those affected by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. This organization has been recommended to Foundation Beyond Belief by one of our previous beneficiaries who works in Haiti, and is also on several top lists of organizations to fund in Haiti. LFH is a local organization run by Haitians, women-led and using community based practices in their work.

These are important considerations for FBB. First, locally run organizations are always best suited to handle recovery, especially in the long-term. Second, during the recovery process, research suggests women will likely face unique and more severe needs. This issue has been researched in a number of countries around the world following all manners of disasters and generated similar results. Women face three areas of increased need that are interrelated; women’s health, an increase in gender-based violence, and economic strain.

“Foundation Beyond Belief is proud to support Lambi fund of Haiti and confident that donors to this disaster drive will understand why we chose them.”says Noelle George, Executive Director of Foundation Beyond Belief. “Women are central to disaster recovery, and instead of treating half the population as victims we need to empower them to help take the lead in recovery efforts.”

Foundation Beyond Belief thanks the American Humanist Association for being a partner in our Drive effort.

More information about Foundation Beyond Belief’s Disaster Recovery Programs can be found here.

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Founded jointly in 1994 by Haitians and Americans, the Lambi Fund of Haiti is a unique, women-led, grassroots organization whose mission is to assist the popular, democratic movement in Haiti. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society in Haiti as a necessary foundation for democracy and development.

Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which-without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces-encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Humanist Groups Collaborate to Promote International Volunteering

Humanist Groups Collaborate to Promote International Volunteering

For Immediate Release

American Humanist Association Contact:

Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org

Foundation Beyond Belief Contact:

Conor Robinson, 310-403-8522, HA: Ghana@foundationbeyondbelief.org

(Aug. 26, 2016)—The American Humanist Association (AHA) is a proud 2016-2017 program sponsor of Foundation Beyond Belief’s Humanist Action: Ghana (HA: Ghana), a one-of-a-kind initiative that promotes international volunteering guided by humanist principles. Humanist Action: Ghana volunteers currently support Songtaba, a women’s rights organization in northern Ghana that works to end gender-based discrimination and violence, including the entrenched custom of accusing women of witchcraft and forcibly exiling them into lives of extreme poverty and isolation.

“The American Humanist Association encourages humanist charitable giving and volunteerism through Foundation Beyond Belief as a way to improve our world and dispel the erroneous idea that secular individuals are less generous than their religious counterparts,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “We look forward to promoting the Humanist Action: Ghana this year to inspire others in the humanist community to live out their humanist values of compassion and kindness through volunteering.”

“Foundation Beyond Belief is grateful to the American Humanist Association for supporting the Humanist Action: Ghana,” said Noelle George, executive director of Foundation Beyond Belief. “HA: Ghana’s culturally responsible support of human rights organizations is an embodiment of humanist principles, which makes it an important opportunity for the individuals represented by the AHA and a visible symbol of the good that can be done without belief in any gods.”

In 2013, Foundation Beyond Belief instituted Pathfinders Project to establish a Humanist Action: Ghana that would give volunteers the opportunity to put their humanist values into action by working internationally with well-established nonprofit organizations. The American Humanist Association collaborated with Foundation Beyond Belief on this project by advertising a call for volunteers and featuring the project in its Humanist magazine. In 2014, Foundation Beyond Belief created its Humanist Action: Ghana to collaborate with locally-led partner organizations around the world to alleviate poverty, increase access to healthcare, empower women, promote education, ensure environmental sustainability and advance human rights.

In addition to providing an outlet for charitable giving and volunteering, the Humanist Action: Ghana also facilitates intercultural exchange, trains humanist leaders, increases engagement in service in the secular community and also improves the global perception of nontheists.

The American Humanist Association is matching up to $10,000 that Foundation Beyond Belief raises for the Humanist Action: Ghana. As a program sponsor, the American Humanist Association will receive regular volunteer reports and stories from the field to remain updated about the positive impacts the Humanist Action: Ghana is having on the lives of the people served by the program. The American Humanist Association will publicize this information to its members to encourage them to support the charitable work of Humanist Action: Ghana and Foundation Beyond Belief.

More information about Humanist Action: Ghana can be found here.

This press release can be viewed online here.

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Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) was founded in 2009 in Georgia, USA, by Dale McGowan. FBB unites the humanist community in charitable and volunteer efforts, and advocates for compassionate action throughout the world. It’s up to us to make this world a better place. Foundation Beyond Belief is humanity at work.

Humanist Groups Partner to Recruit Volunteers for Racial Justice Activism

August 12, 2016

Foundation Beyond Belief and the American Humanist Association are pleased to announce a national partnership to promote social justice and racial equality through Foundation Beyond Belief’s Beyond Belief Network (BBN) program. The program encourages humanists and other nontheists to take part in community volunteering and charitable giving to dispel the myth that nonreligious individuals are less generous than their religious counterparts.

Foundation Beyond Belief’s Beyond Belief Network program and the American Humanist Association, along with its social justice adjuncts, the Black Humanist Alliance, the LGBTQ Humanist Alliance and the Feminist Humanist Alliance, are urging their members to take part in social justice activism. Both organizations are currently encouraging their members and volunteers to become active in Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), a national network organizing white people for racial justice. The American Humanist Association recently became an official partner with SURJ.

“With its emphasis on the inherent dignity of all people, the humanist movement is a natural ally in the fight for racial justice,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “To fully live our humanism, we must take action to support people of color as we work together toward equality for all.”

“We are proud to partner with Foundation Beyond Belief to promote the work that SURJ is doing to involve white people in the struggle for racial justice and to promote the humanist values of justice for all people,” said Sincere Kirabo, social justice coordinator of the American Humanist Association. “By taking part in social justice work, we can better reveal our humanist values through action, foster diversity within the humanist movement and advance social progress.”

“Humanists are eager to join the fight for racial justice, and Foundation Beyond Belief exists to help them put their values into action,” said Noelle George, FBB executive director. “Through this partnership with the AHA and SURJ, FBB will help humanist groups and individuals take concrete steps to promote equality in their communities and support organizing efforts led by people of color.”

Said FBB’s Beyond Belief Network Coordinator Conor Robinson, “What’s exciting about this partnership is that it will make the fight for racial justice more tangible for individuals and groups who want to help but don’t know how. By offering resources and coordinating volunteering opportunities for hundreds of local service organizations, FBB, the AHA and SURJ will mobilize thousands of humanists who are ready to support one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time.”

Foundation Beyond Belief and American Humanist Association members are currently being encouraged to take part in SURJ’s August phone bank. Phone bank volunteers will connect with people about racial justice activism, recruit new volunteers to SURJ’s network and raise resources to support local organizing by people of color. Humanists who are interested in becoming involved should contact Sincere Kirabo at skirabo@americanhumanist.org for more information.

American Humanist Association Contact
Merrill Miller, Communications Associate
202-238-9088 ext. 105
merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org

Foundation Beyond Belief Contact:
Conor Robinson, Program Coordinator
310-403-8522
HA: Ghana@foundationbeyondbelief.org

Humanist Charity Hits $2 million Mark in Funds Raised and Distributed

August 11, 2015

Foundation Beyond Belief Hits Second Milestone in Five and a Half Years

(Atlanta, GA)- Foundation Beyond Belief, the nation’s largest humanist philanthropic organization, is proud to announce that it has reached the $2 million mark in funds raised and distributed to charities in the United States and around the world.

In addition to small grants in the $10,000 range to dozens of organizations during that time, that total also includes larger Compassionate Impact Grants to two selected organizations, The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and Starfish that totaled $50,000 or more.

It also includes more than $100,000 in Humanist Crisis Response funds sent to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the devastating earthquake in Nepal a few months ago, as well as funding for refugees from the Syrian civil war and legal help for child refugees who came to the United States from Central America.

It took three and a half years for FBB to reach the $1 million mark and only two years to reach $2 million, indicating the strong and growing commitment of the humanist community to supporting organizations that work to improve the human condition by addressing important problems and engaging in evidence-based charitable giving.

“The board of directors, the staff, the volunteers and the members of Foundation Beyond Belief are very proud of having

reached this important milestone,” said FBB Executive Director Noelle George. “But in a world still full of so much suffering and injustice, we feel like our work has just begun. We remain committed to the idea that humanist principles only matter if you put them into action in a tangible way that helps others. We look forward to expanding our programs to accomplish even more over the next two years and beyond.”

For more information or to interview Noelle George, contact Media Relations Coordinator Ed Brayton at 616-894-3123 or press@FoundationBeyondBelief.org.

Foundation Beyond Belief is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation created to focus, encourage, and demonstrate humanist generosity and compassion. Its members and supporters have raised over $1.6 million for charities around the world and established a network of over 90 humanist volunteer teams in cities across the U.S. For more information, visit www.FoundationBeyondBelief.org.